Fiancho Chess

Intermediate level

Opening Repertoire for Black

A complete opening repertoire for Black against White’s main first moves. Every line is explained through its plans, pawn structures and typical piece placements, so the repertoire is something you understand rather than a list of move orders to memorize.

Level
Intermediate
Format
.zip with a PDF workbook and PGN files
Study
Self-paced, self-study
Delivery
Instant download link by email and on screen

Self-study material. This course is a written workbook with PGN files. There is no video, no live instruction, no coaching, and no feedback on your games.

Full contents

What the course covers

The workbook is organized into the parts below. Each part explains its ideas first, shows them in annotated examples, and then gives training positions with worked solutions.

  1. How the repertoire fits together

    An overview of the whole repertoire, how the lines connect, and the recurring structures that link them, so you see the big picture before studying any single line.

  2. Against 1.e4

    Black’s replies, the key decisions in the first moves, and the central breaks and piece set-ups to aim for in each variation.

  3. Against 1.d4

    A solid set-up against White’s queen’s-pawn openings, with the typical plans for both sides and the pawn structures that arise most often.

  4. Against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3

    How to meet White’s flank openings, including the move-order choices that can transpose into other lines and how to steer toward familiar structures.

  5. Less common first moves

    Straightforward ways to handle White’s rarer first moves without a separate body of theory for each one.

  6. Typical middlegame plans

    The positions the repertoire tends to produce and the plans that go with them: where the pieces belong, which pawn breaks matter, and which exchanges suit Black.

  7. Training positions

    Positions taken from the repertoire lines that ask for the right plan or move, each followed by a worked solution.

Inside the workbook

Preview pages

Illustrations of representative pages, showing how the workbook is laid out: a training position, a worked solution and a section from the explanations.

Preview of a training position page: black to moveA workbook page showing a chessboard diagram, black to move, with the task: How should Black react in the center?FIANCHO CHESSREPERTOIRE FOR BLACKTRAINING POSITIONBlack to moveabcdefgh87654321How should Black react in the center?The worked solution follows in the solutions section.
Training positionA board diagram with the task stated underneath, the way every training position is set out.
Preview of a worked solution page: Striking with ...d5A workbook page with a small diagram and the worked solution. 8...d5! Black hits the center before White can gain space with e4-e5 or d4-d5. 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Qb3 Nce7 11.O-O O-O Black’s pieces are active, and the isolated d4-pawn is a long-term target.FIANCHO CHESSREPERTOIRE FOR BLACKWORKED SOLUTIONStriking with ...d5POSITIONBlack to moveTHEMECentral pawn break8...d5!Black hits the center before White cangain space with e4-e5 or d4-d5.9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Qb3 Nce7 11.O-O O-OBlack’s pieces are active, and theisolated d4-pawn is a long-term target.
Worked solutionThe full solution line with the defensive tries and a plain-language explanation of each step.
Preview of an explanation page: Striking at the centerA workbook page from the explanations. In open positions Black often equalizes by hitting the center with ...d5 before White can consolidate. The pawn break frees the c8-bishop and opens lines for pieces that are already developed. Key idea: Before playing a pawn break, check that your pieces are ready to use the lines it opens. Each line in the repertoire names its main break, so you always know what Black is aiming for.FIANCHO CHESSREPERTOIRE FOR BLACKEXPLANATIONStriking at the centerIn open positions Black often equalizesby hitting the center with ...d5 beforeWhite can consolidate. The pawn breakfrees the c8-bishop and opens lines forpieces that are already developed.KEY IDEABefore playing a pawn break, check thatyour pieces are ready to use the linesit opens.Each line in the repertoire names itsmain break, so you always know whatBlack is aiming for.
From the explanationsAn explanation section introducing an idea, with a key point set apart for quick review.

Who it’s for

  • Players who know the basic opening principles and want a complete, connected set of lines for Black.
  • Players who keep forgetting move orders and would rather learn the reasons behind each move.
  • Players who want to load a repertoire into their own chess software and review it there.

Who it isn’t for

  • Beginners still learning the basic opening principles. Tactics Fundamentals and Checkmate Patterns are better starting points.
  • Players looking for an encyclopedia of every sideline.
  • Anyone looking for video lessons, game reviews or personal feedback. This is a self-study workbook.

The download

What’s in the .zip

One download holds the whole course. Open the PDF in any PDF reader and load the PGN files into any chess software or online analysis board that opens PGN files. The FAQ explains how to open both.

  • PDF workbookThe explanations, board diagrams, training positions and fully worked solutions, organized by chapter.
  • PGN filesEvery position and line in the course, so you can load them into any chess software or online analysis board that opens PGN files.

Delivery and refunds

Your download link arrives by email right after payment and is shown on the confirmation screen. Any purchase can be refunded in full within 14 days, no reason required.

Delivery PolicyRefund Policy