The second part of the play methods analysis in the middlegame for the Chess Middlegame II course, composed by GM Alexander Kalinin, delves deeper into the intricacies of various openings and their strategic implications. This course, part of the Chess King Learn series, is designed to enhance a player's understanding and application of middlegame strategies through a comprehensive theoretical section.

Openings Covered:

• Sicilian Defense: Dragon, Najdorf, Paulsen variations
• Ruy Lopez: Open variation, Exchanged Variation
• King's Gambit: Including declined and counter-gambit variations
• Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Giuoco Pianissimo, Moeller Attack, and Evans Gambit
• Pirc-Ufimtsev Defense: Classical, 4. f3, and Austrian Attack variations
• Alekhine's Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation, and Modern Variation
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation and systems with 4... d6, 4... b6, and 4... O-O
• Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation and system with 4... Ba6
• Queen's Gambit: Declined with Orthodox Defense and Rubinstein's Attack
• Modern Benoni Defense

Learning Features:

The course includes 500 lessons and 300 studies, offering an extensive array of examples and scenarios to practice and master. The program acts as a coach, providing tasks to solve and offering hints, explanations, and refutations for common mistakes. This interactive approach helps players not only read the lessons but also apply the strategies on the board.

Advantages of the Program:

• High-Quality Examples: All examples are double-checked for accuracy.
• Interactive Learning: Players must enter key moves as instructed by the teacher.
• Varied Difficulty Levels: Tasks are designed to challenge players at different skill levels.
• Multiple Goals: Exercises include various objectives to achieve.
• Error Hints and Refutations: The program assists with hints and shows refutations for typical errors.
• Play Against Computer: Any position from the tasks can be played out against the computer.
• Interactive Theoretical Lessons: Theory is presented interactively, allowing players to make moves and explore variations.
• Structured Content: A clear table of contents helps navigate the course.
• ELO Monitoring: The program tracks the player's ELO rating changes during the learning process.
• Flexible Test Mode: Settings can be adjusted to suit individual learning needs.
• Bookmarking: Favorite exercises can be saved for later review.
• Device Compatibility: Optimized for larger screens and supports multiple devices without an internet connection.

Free Part and Latest Updates:

The course includes a free part where players can test the program's functionality. The latest version 3.3.2, updated on July 29, 2024, introduces several new features:

• Spaced Repetition Training Mode: Combines new and previously incorrect exercises for optimal learning.
• Bookmark Tests: Ability to launch tests on bookmarked exercises.
• Daily Puzzle Goals: Set and track daily exercise goals to maintain skills.
• Daily Streak: Track consecutive days of meeting daily goals.
• Various Fixes and Improvements: Enhancements to the overall user experience.

This course is an invaluable resource for chess players looking to deepen their understanding and improve their middlegame play, with a focus on strategic openings and their practical application.