I finally remembered the comparison by listening to his live commentary in Paris. Tiviakov speaks english like SAM, the Commore 64 speech synthesizer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm4ZCGgzeeU

Ametanoitos wrote on 09/01/13 at 10:18:12:


Shirov is a great presenter, even if he appears to be a bit unprepared from time to time.

Tiviakov on the other hand makes the impression a robot who is just going through variations.

Neric wrote on 09/01/13 at 06:16:45:

I expect:
- explanations why the lines are chosen
- positional and tactical explanations
- an emphasis on what is important and what not
- an evaluation of positions (at least at the end of the lines)
- hints where improvements may be found in the future

I don't expect GMs to give away their personal analysis or novelties - this is surely beyound a mass-product. If you want it, you should buy it directly.

Ametanoitos wrote on 08/29/13 at 20:08:17:


Well, the fact is that we are living in the computer age. This means that even serious amateurs have a database and Houdini running in the background. Why should I buy a DVD where the author tells me that he has nothing to add? Where is the value?

Shirov doesn't give away his preparation either, but at least he shows what the critical lines are and why they are critical.

It is decent and near to equality, but Black is a bit worse there. I refer you to the "Playing the French" book for the details. Unless you are planning to bring the bishop back to e7 quickly and put the queen to c7. This is the correct set-up for Black and this was shown to an old Kasparov-Karpov game coming from a different opening! (sorry for not revealing more here...  )

His coverage there is fine and entertaining, although of course not complete. He recommends all the time to check his games at the database for the details. He has an overall of ("only" as he calls it) 80% against the French, but this percentage raises to 87% against the ...Nf6 line, so he is happy when he sees this!

He goes for the main line 7.Ne2 cx 8.cx f6 9.ex Nx 10.O-O Bd6 11.Nf3 Qc7 he gives the dangerous 12.Bd2 but actually seems to recommend 12.Bg5 O-O 13.Rc1 and only gives 2-3 ideas and for the others he references you to his games.

For me, always 11...O-O had been the most serious move and after the main line 12.Bf4 Bx 13.Nx Ne4! (he discusses a couple of other ideas) 14.Qc1 (his recommendation) 14...Ng5! 15.Nxg5 Qxg5 16.Bxh7 and the conclusion (based on his game against Volkov) is that Black can hold the draw with accurate play. A bit sad actually, because i was hoping for a better recommendation, but as i said you cannot expect to find gold in this DVD...

Do not really expect to find something more than Tiviakov's games that you can find already at the database commented. The real value of the DVD is some of Tiviakov's comments about some practical considerations. Does this justify the price for this DVD? Imho certainly not. To be honest (and i am never afraid to say my opinion) i regretted the money i spent to buy the DVD, but for someone with very little experience on the Tarrasch Variation of the French it might be a great introduction as the relevant sources are either old, or simply much less suitable for understanding the important ideas quickly. Hope that helped you to understand if this money investment is justified for you personally.

Now, specifically answering your question, Tiviakov recommends the 5.dxc5 line for practical reasons. White has an easy game with very little to know (really this line can be learned in 5 minutes). This compensates the fact that (as Tiviakov believes) it is amost impossible to find a theoretical advantage against this line. To be honest, i think that he is right. White is certainly comfortable there, he can deviate his play by choosing among the many move orders available to him and he can expect to put Black under some (psycological?) pressure with the point being that there are many endgames that have the tendency to get favourable for him. On the other hand i certainly disagree with his comments about the endgame line (with Qxd4) in the 5.Ngf3 main line. I don't believe that Black's chances there to win are zero as he calls it and this is the reason the whole French Defence hasn't become more popular at the highest level!