[Event "Old Man Repertoire: White Overview"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "White Overview"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "White Overview"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/Ets2ZUWw"]

1. d4 d5 (1... Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 (2... g6 3. Nc3 d5 (3... Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 { Pirc }) 4. Bf4 { Jobava London. }) 3. c4 b6 (3... Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 { Bogo }) (3... c5 4. d5 { Benoni }) 4. g3 { Queen's Indian }) 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 (3... c6 4. g3 { Slav g3 } 4... e6 5. Nbd2 { Semi-Slav }) (3... dxc4 4. Qa4+ { QGA }) 4. g3 { Catalan } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: Catalan & QGA"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "Catalan & QGA"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "Catalan & QGA"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/J0GPbGJb"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 { [%csl Gf3][%cal Gg7g6,Gb1c3] } 2... d5 3. c4 { [%csl Gb7,Gc6,Gd5,Gg4,Gf5][%cal Gc7c6,Gc8g4,Gd5c4] } 3... e6 { This is the most popular reply. } (3... dxc4 { [%cal Gg2g3,Gf1g2] } 4. Qa4+!? { Magnus chose this rare idea to win back the pawn and won several nice
games. No matter how Black blocks we take on c4 and then develop Catalan-style
with g3,Bg2,0-0 with an easy game. } { [%csl Gc4][%cal Gb8c6,Gc8d7,Gc7c6,Ga4c4,Gg2g3,Gf1g2] } 4... c6 5. Qxc4 { [%csl Gc8,Gf5,Gg4,Gd4,Ge2,Ge7][%cal Gg2g3,Gf1g2,Ge1g1] }) 4. g3 { The Catalan opening is Magnus'
favorite when it comes to Old Man's chess. } 4... Bb4+ { [%csl Gd2][%cal Gc1d2] } (4... Be7 { This is the main
line } { [%csl Ge7][%cal Ge8g8] } 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O { [%csl Gc2,Gc1][%cal Gc7c6,Gd1c2,Gf1d1,Gb1d2,Gb1c3,Ge2e4,Gb2b3,Gc1b2] } 6... dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 { [%cal Gc2c4,Ga2a4] } 8. Rd1!? { A very rare move! White
doesn't care about winning back c4-pawn and goes for central play with Ne5
next. } 8... b5 9. Ne5 Nd5 10. b3! { This wins c5-outpost. } 10... cxb3 11. axb3 { [%csl Gc5,Gc7] } 11... Bb7 12. Ba3! { Magnus wants to trade DSB and win c5-outpost. He would a nice
positional squeeze vs Caruana in Norway Chess, 2025. 1-0 (52) Carlsen,M (2837)
-Caruana,F (2776) Stavanger NOR 2025 } { [%csl Ge7,Ga3,Gc5,Gc7] }) (4... dxc4 { Black wants complications
with a6+b5 or Nc6 but White has a very easy plan that Ulf Andersson played. } 5. Qa4+ { The same idea as vs QGA } { [%cal Ga4c4,Gf1g2,Ge1g1] } 5... Nbd7 6. Bg2 a6 { [%cal Gb7b5] } 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qc6 { [%cal Ga8b8,Ga8a7] } 8... Rb8 9. Bf4 Nd5 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 { [%csl Gd4,Gc7][%cal Gg2a8] } 12. Nc3 Bb7 13. Nxd5 Bxc6 14. Nxe7 Kxe7 15. Rc1 { [%csl Gc7][%cal Gc1c7] } 15... Rb6 16. O-O { White has small pressure in the endgame. }) 5. Nbd2!? { This rare move
is clearly Dubov's influence. White doesn't enter theoretical debate with 5.
Bd2 and just develops. } { [%cal Gf1g2,Ge1g1] } 5... O-O 6. Bg2 b6 7. O-O Bb7 8. b3 Nbd7 9. Bb2 { White is
happy with this complex middlegame. He would play Qc2 next to connect the
rooks and cxd5 at the right move. Another interesting plan is Rc1, e3 and Qe2
keeping the tension. } { [%csl Gb2,Gg2,Gc7][%cal Gc4d5,Ga1c1,Ge2e3,Gd1e2,Gf1d1,Gd1c2,Gc2c7] } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: Slav & Semi-Slav"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "Slav & Semi-Slav Setup"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "Slav & Semi-Slav"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/65xBsn2D"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 { [%csl Gb7,Gc6,Gd5,Gf5,Gg4][%cal Gc8f5,Ge7e6] } 4. g3!? { This Catalan approach baffles many Slav
players. We don't care about c4-pawn and go for rapid development. } 4... Bf5 { This is the most common move by far } (4... e6 { This leads to the Semi-Slav
Setup but White doesn't mind as in reality we are playing a Closed Catalan. } { [%csl Gf7,Ge6,Gd5,Gc6,Gb7] } 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. Bg2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 { White will play Rd1 and e4 next. } { [%csl Gg2,Gd6,Ge7,Gc8][%cal Gb7d5,Gf7d5,Gf1d1,Ge2e4] }) 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 { [%csl Gf5,Gc1,Gf1] } 6... Be4 7. f3 Bg6 8. Qb3 { [%csl Gb7,Gc8][%cal Gb7b6,Gd8c7,Gc1f4,Gd8c8,Ga1c1,Gc1c8] } 8... Qb6 9. c5 Qxb3 10. axb3 $14 { Magnus plays
Old Man's chess! He has a comfortable endgame with pressure on the a-file and
will win the bishop pair. He ended up grinding down GM Matlakov here. } { [%csl Gb4,Gc1,Gf1][%cal Gb3b4,Gb4b5,Gh4g6,Ge2e4] } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: QID, Bogo & Benoni"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "QID, Bogo & Benoni"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E17"]
[Opening "Queen's Indian Defense: Classical Variation"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "QID, Bogo & Benoni"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/RKtinuli"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 { [%csl Gc5,Gb6][%cal Gc7c5,Gb7b6,Gf8b4] } 3... b6 { The solid Queen's Indian. } { [%cal Gc8b7,Gb7a6] } (3... c5 { Black is
inviting White for Benoni after 4.d5. } { [%cal Gg2g3,Gf1g2,Gc5d4,Gf3d4] } 4. d5 { This is the most ambitious
option if you want to fight for an edge } (4. g3 { is a simple alternative,
going for Catalan-like ideas. }) 4... exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Bf4 { I like
this simple setup for White, it cuts down lots of Benoni theory. } 7... a6 8. a4 Bg7 9. h3 O-O 10. e3 { White's plan is easy: 1) Finish development with Be2 & 0-0 2)
Focus on the queenside with a possible Nd2-c4 idea } { [%csl Gf4,Gh3,Ga4,Ge3,Gf3,Gd6][%cal Gf6h5,Gf4h2,Gf1e2,Ge1g1,Gf3d2,Gd2c4,Gb7b5,Gc8g4,Gg4f3] }) (3... Bb4+ { This the Bogo,
my recommendation for the Black Repertoire. } 4. Nbd2 { This makes sense to play
it like the Catalan ...Bb4+ } { [%cal Gd7d5,Gg2g3] } 4... b6 { [%csl Gg2][%cal Gc8b7,Gg2g3] } 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Bb7 7. e3 d6 8. Be2 Nbd7 9. O-O a5 10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2 { I cover this position in my Black repertoire. White
has the bishop pair and can put some pressure, only if they know the key
d5-pawn push idea. } { [%csl Gb2,Ge2] } 11... Ne4 12. Qc2 f5 { [%csl Gb7,Ge4,Gg6,Ge2,Gb2][%cal Gf8f6,Gf6g6] } 13. d5! { This is the key pawn sacrifice
that allows White to fight for an edge. } 13... exd5 { Better is ...e5 to close the
position } (13... e5 14. Nd2 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 { White's space & the bishop pair
give them a small but longterm edge. } { [%csl Gb2,Ge2][%cal Gf2f3,Gb3b4] }) 14. cxd5 Bxd5 15. Rad1 Bb7 16. Nd4 { and Black's light squares are too weak. The engine claims +2 already! } { [%csl Gd4,Ge6,Gg8][%cal Ge2c4,Gd4e6] }) (3... d5 4. g3 { This transposes to the Catalan chapter. }) 4. g3 { [%cal Gc8a6,Gb1d2,Gb2b3] } 4... Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. h4!? { I love this rare move as it has a hidden idea. } { [%csl Gh4,Gb1,Gc1] } (7. Nc3 { The
alternative. } 7... Ne4 8. Nxe4 Bxe4 9. Ne1 Bxg2 10. Nxg2 { This is true Old Man
chess! Ulf Andersson and many others chose this setup. } { [%csl Gc4,Gd4] }) 7... c5 (7... d5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bf4! c5 10. Nc3 Nc6 11. Rc1 Re8 12. e3 { A really cool setup to
remember. The bishop on Bf4 is safe. } { [%csl Gh4,Gg3,Gf2,Ge3,Gd4,Gf4][%cal Gd4c5] }) 8. d5! exd5 9. Nh2! { The point! Now
we will recapture on d5 with a nice center. } { [%csl Gh2,Gb7][%cal Gc4d5,Gb1c3,Ge2e4] } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: Jobava London vs Nf6,g6"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "Jobava London vs Nf6,g6"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A48"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Barry Attack"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "Jobava London vs Nf6,g6"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/Wp9wbzDT"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3!? { White's idea is force Black to play ... d5,
otherwise e4 gives White a nice Pirc, to reach a positional Jobava London. } { [%csl Gc3] } 3... d5 (3... Bg7 4. e4 { This is the Pirc. I like the following simple setup for White. } { [%csl Gd4,Ge4][%cal Gd7d6] } 4... d6 5. h3 { We restrict the bishop on c8 & prepare Be3. } { [%csl Gh3,Gc8,Gf6][%cal Gc1e3] } 5... O-O 6. Be3 c6 7. a4! { Another typical idea to stop ...b5 & gain space. } { [%csl Ga4][%cal Gb7b5] } 7... Nbd7 8. a5! e5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Qd6 $16 { White would play Bc4 next and enjoy a nice edge. } { [%csl Gc4,Ge3,Gg7,Gc8][%cal Gf6e8,Gd6a3,Gf1c4,Ge1g1] }) 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. Nb5 { This forces Black to play ...Na6. } 5... Na6 6. e3 O-O 7. h3 { This Jobava
London setup works really well vs KID players as Black no longer has ...d6+e5
or ...d6+c5 plans. } 7... Ne4 (7... c6 8. Nc3 Nc7 9. a4! { We stop ...b5 and will
develop naturally with Bd3 next. } 9... a5 10. Bd3 b6 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. h4! { A cool
idea! } 12... c5 13. h5! { with a big attack. }) 8. c3 { [%csl Gb2,Gc3,Gd4,Ge3,Gf2,Gb5,Gb1][%cal Gd7d6,Gc7c5,Ge7e5] } 8... c6 9. Na3 { [%csl Ga6] } 9... Nc7 10. Be2 f6 11. O-O Re8 12. Bh2 e5 13. c4 { Magnus ended winning this vs Saric. 1-0 (34)
Carlsen,M (2839)-Saric,I (2661) Zagreb CRO 2025 } { [%csl Gg7] } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: Black Overview"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "Black Overview"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B27"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Fianchetto"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "Black Overview"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/DfJ8rE27"]

1. e4 (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 (2. Bf4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 Be7!? { London System }) (2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 a6! { Jobava London }) 2... e6 3. Nc3 (3. Nf3 Bb4+ { Bogo }) 3... Bb4 { Nimzo }) (1. c4 c5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. O-O Bf5 { Symmetrical English }) 1... c5 2. Nf3 (2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 { either ...dxc3 or ...
g6 HAD sidelines }) 2... g6 3. d4 (3. c3 d5! { HAD sidelines }) 3... cxd4 4. Nxd4 (4. Qxd4 Nf6 { HAD sidelines }) 4... Nf6! 5. Nc3 Nc6 { HAD Mainlines } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: HAD Sidelines"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "HAD Sidelines"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B27"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Dragon"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "HAD Sidelines"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/IrLotKq8"]

1. e4 c5 { [%cal Gd2d4,Gc2c3,Gb1c3] } 2. Nf3 (2. Nc3 { [%cal Gg2g3,Gf2f4] } 2... g6 3. f4 Bg7 4. Nf3 a6! { A cool idea vs Grand Prix
Attack. } { [%csl Ga6][%cal Gf1b5] } 5. Bc4 (5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 d5 7. Nxd5 (7. exd5 Nf6 { [%csl Gd5][%cal Gf1c4,Gb7b5] }) 7... e6 { A nice little trap } { [%csl Gd5,Gd4] }) 5... e6 { Black has easy play } { [%cal Gg8e7,Gd7d5,Gb7b5,Gb8c6] }) (2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 { [%cal Gd4c3] } 3... dxc3 { I cover this in detail in my
Chessable course, but if you want to learn it the simple plan is: } (3... g6 4. cxd4 d5! 5. exd5 (5. e5 { [%cal Gg1f3] }) 5... Nf6 { [%csl Gd5][%cal Gf6d5] })) (2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 { Transposes to 2.Nf3 &
c3 }) 2... g6 { My favorite Hyper-Accelerated Dragon move order. } 3. c3 { [%csl Gf3,Gc3][%cal Gd2d4] } (3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. e5 Nc6 6. Qa4 Nd5 7. Qe4 Nb6 8. Nc3 d5 9. exd6 Bf5 { I score really well with this line in blitz! Black gets a lot of activity. } 10. dxe7 Bxe7 11. Qe2 O-O) 3... d5! { [%cal Ge4e5] } 4. exd5 (4. e5 Bg4 5. Bb5+ (5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nc6 7. Bb5 Rc8! { We prevent White from ruining out structure. } { [%cal Gb5c6,Gb7c6] } 8. O-O Qb6 9. Nc3 e6 10. Be3 Ne7 { [%cal Ge7f5] } 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Bg7 13. Rac1 O-O { We will play
...Nf5 next and target the weak d4-pawn with easy game. } { [%csl Gg7][%cal Ge7f5,Gf7f6,Gg7f8] }) 5... Nd7!? { I like
this approach to avoid weakening our pawn structure with ...Nc6 as White can
play Bxc6+ later. } 6. h3 { I faced this move recently at Washington
International. } 6... Bxf3 7. Qxf3 a6 8. Bxd7+ Qxd7 9. d4 e6 10. O-O { [%cal Gg8e7] } 10... Bg7! { Much
better and simpler than my 10...Ne7? which allows Bg5-f6 idea. } 11. Nd2 cxd4 12. cxd4 Ne7 13. Nb3 b6 { with easy play } { [%csl Ge7,Gg7][%cal Ga6a5,Ga5a4,Ge7f5,Ge7c6,Ge8g8,Gf8c8] }) 4... Qxd5 5. d4 Bg7 { This will
likely lead to a good IQP for Black or a structure where White takes on c5,
but then Black will have the only center pawn (e7-pawn) for a longterm edge.
For more details please check out my Chessable course: https://www.chessable.
com/lifetime-repertoires-hyper-accelerated-dragon/course/131928/ } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: HAD Main lines"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "HAD Main lines"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B27"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Fianchetto"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "HAD Main lines"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/duFaudVP"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 { My favorite Hyper-Accelerated Dragon move order. } (2... Nc6 3. Bb5) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6!? { This is my most recent recommendation and covered in
detail in my Chessable course: https://www.chessable.com/
lifetime-repertoires-hyper-accelerated-dragon/course/ 131928/ I will give you
the overview here, so you can start playing it right away. For more in-depth
coverage I recommend you get my full Chessable course. } (4... Nc6 5. c4 { [%csl Ge4,Gc4][%cal Gb1c3] }) 5. Nc3 (5. e5 { [%csl Ge1,Ge5] } 5... Qa5+ { [%csl Ge5][%cal Ga5e1,Ga5e5] }) 5... Nc6 { This is
the Old Man's Chess, we don't mind the endgame. Sharper play is 5...d6 } (5... d6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 a6 8. Qd2 h5 { [%csl Ga6,Gg6,Gg7][%cal Gh7h5,Gg2g4] } 9. O-O-O b5 { If you love sharp Sicilian
battles, this Dragondorf setup is a lot of fun. It's covered in my Chessable
in detail. } { [%csl Gd7,Gc1][%cal Gb8d7,Gc8b7] }) 6. Nxc6 { This is the main line. } (6. Be3 { This transposes to
normal AcDragon lines... Let me show you some cool traps. } 6... Bg7 { [%csl Gd7][%cal Gf2f3,Gd1d2,Ge1c1] } 7. Bc4 (7. f3 { White tries to go for the Yugoslav attack with Qd2,0-0-0 but it doesn't work
here! } 7... O-O 8. Qd2 (8. Bc4 Qb6! 9. Bb3 Nxe4! { A cool trap to remember! } 10. fxe4 Bxd4 11. Bxd4 Qxd4 12. Qxd4 Nxd4) 8... d5! 9. O-O-O dxe4 10. fxe4 Ng4 11. Bg1 Bh6 { is one way you can win the game! } { [%csl Gc1,Gd2][%cal Gh6d2] }) 7... Qa5 { I like this move to
force White to castle short. } { [%cal Gf6e4,Ga5e1,Ge1g1] } 8. O-O (8. f3! { falls for another trap! } 8... Qb4 9. Bb3 Nxe4 10. Nxc6 { 10.fxe4 we just win a pawn with 10...Nxd4. } 10... Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Qxc3+ 12. Ke2 dxc6 13. Bd4 { [%csl Ge4,Gc3,Gh8][%cal Gf3e4] } 13... e5!! { A really nice tactic! } 14. Bxc3 Nxc3+ { and Black wins back the queen, reaching an endgame up two pawns. }) 8... O-O 9. Bb3 d6 { [%cal Gf6g4,Gh2h3,Gf2f3] } 10. h3 Bd7 { I have won many games from this position. Check out this
video that I did for Nate's blog: https://www.zwischenzug.gg/p/
openings-update-487 } 11. f4 (11. Re1 Rac8 { [%csl Gg1,Gg8][%cal Gc6e5,Ge5c4] }) 11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bc6 { [%csl Gg7,Gd4,Ge7,Gd6,Ge4][%cal Gf6d7] }) 6... dxc6 { We welcome the endgame! } 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 { White it's true that White stopped us from castling, it's not a big deal as we
have an endgame. Perfect way to outplay young whiz kids here! } { [%csl Gd8,Gc6,Gc3][%cal Ge7e5,Gd8e8,Gd8c7] } 8. Bf4 (8. Bc4 Bg7 { [%csl Gf7][%cal Gc4f7] } 9. Bxf7? (9. Bf4 b5 10. O-O-O+ Nd7 { [%csl Gf7,Gf4][%cal Gc4f7,Gh8f8] } 11. Bb3 (11. Bxf7 Rf8) 11... Ke8 { Black is rock solid. } { [%csl Ge8][%cal Gg7c3,Gd7c5,Ga7a5] }) 9... e6 { is a cool trap } { [%csl Gf7][%cal Gd8e7] }) 8... Be6 9. O-O-O+ Ke8 10. f3 h5 { We trade the bishops next with ...Bh6 and play on the dark squares. } { [%csl Gh6,Gf4][%cal Gf8h6,Gh5h4,Gg6g5,Gf6d7,Gd7e5,Gb7b5,Ga7a5] } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: London & Jobava London"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "London & Jobava London"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A46"]
[Opening "Indian Defense: London System"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "London & Jobava London"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/GJ0eiXTV"]

1. d4 Nf6 { [%cal Gb1c3] } 2. Bf4 { The London System is quite popular, but I have a cool idea. } (2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 { Jobava London is quite popular too. } 3... a6 { A simple move to
stop Nb5 jump. } 4. e3 Bf5 { [%cal Ge7e6,Gc7c5] } 5. f3 e6 6. g4 Bg6 7. h4 h6 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 c5 { Black goes for the attack! } 10. Nge2 Nc6 11. O-O-O c4 12. Qd2 b5 { with a big
attack! } { [%csl Gc8][%cal Gf7c4,Gb5b4] }) 2... e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 Be7!? { [%csl Ge7] } 5. c3?! { This allows our main idea } (5. h3 O-O 6. c3 { [%csl Ge5][%cal Gd7d5] } 6... b6 7. Nbd2 cxd4 8. exd4 Ba6! { We trade White's best piece. } 9. Bxa6 Nxa6 { [%csl Gd3] } 10. O-O Nc7 11. Qe2 Qc8! { Black gets a great game with ...Qb7
next and play on the queenside with ...b5. } { [%csl Gb7][%cal Gc8b7,Gb6b5,Gc7d5,Ga7a5] }) 5... Nh5 { The point! We win the
bishop pair. } { [%csl Gf4][%cal Gf4g5,Gf4e5,Gd7d6] } 6. Bg3 Nc6 7. Nbd2 d5 { [%csl Gg3][%cal Gh5g3] } 8. Bd3 g6!? { A clever waiting move. } 9. Qe2 Bd7! { Waiting for White to castle long } 10. O-O-O c4! { This is a fun
attack! } 11. Bb1 b5 12. e4 b4 13. exd5 exd5 14. Bh4 bxc3 15. bxc3 Qa5 16. Qe3 Qa3+ 17. Kc2 Bf5+ *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: Bogo-Indian"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "Bogo-Indian"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E11"]
[Opening "Bogo-Indian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "Bogo-Indian"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/3DUOAULN"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 { This is my recommendation: Rock Solid but yet Aggressive
Nimzo+Bogo. I will give you some key highlights here, so that you can start
playing it right away. For in-depth coverage I recommend you get my full
Chessable course: https://www.chessable.com/
lifetime-repertoires-nimzo-bogo-indian-defense/course/315526/ } 3. Nf3 Bb4+ { This is the Bogo-Indian. A simple setup to play on the dark squares. } 4. Bd2 { The most common move by far, for 4.Nbd2 see my Chessable course. } 4... Qe7 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Bxd2+ { [%cal Gb1d2] } 7. Nbxd2 (7. Qxd2 { This allows a cool idea. } 7... Ne4 8. Qc2 Qb4+ 9. Nbd2 (9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. Qxc3 (10. bxc3 { [%cal Gb4c4] }) 10... Qxc3+ 11. bxc3 Rb8 { We will play ...Na5 and ...b6
next. } { [%csl Gc4][%cal Gb7b6,Gc6a5] }) 9... Nxd2 10. Qxd2 { [%csl Gc4] } (10. Nxd2 { [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc6d4] } 10... Nxd4) 10... Qxc4) 7... O-O 8. O-O d6 9. e4 e5 { The key idea! } 10. d5 Nb8 { We will play ...a5 and ...Na6 next, fighting
for c5-outpost. } { [%csl Ge5,Gd6,Gc7,Gg7,Ge3,Gd2,Gg4][%cal Gc4d5,Ge4d5,Gg7g6,Gb1d2,Gb1c3,Ga7a5,Gb8a6,Ga6c5,Gc8d7,Gc7c6] } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: Nimzo-Indian"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "Nimzo-Indian"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E24"]
[Opening "Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "Nimzo-Indian"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/LVMYnkCD"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 { This is my recommendation: Rock Solid but yet Aggressive
Nimzo+Bogo. I will give you some key highlights here, so that you can start
playing it right away. For in-depth coverage I recommend you get my full
Chessable course: https://www.chessable.com/
lifetime-repertoires-nimzo-bogo-indian-defense/course/315526/ } 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 { This is the Saemisch Variation. } (4. f3 { This is a cousin of the Saemisch,
White wants to play e4 without a3. } 4... d5! 5. a3 Be7 6. e4 dxe4 7. fxe4 e5 8. d5 (8. dxe5 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Ng4 { [%cal Gg4f2,Gg4e5] }) 8... O-O 9. Nf3 c6 10. Bd3 (10. Nxe5 cxd5 11. cxd5 Bc5 { and ...Re8 is next. }) 10... cxd5 11. cxd5 Bc5! { [%csl Ge1][%cal Gf3e5,Gf8e8] } 12. Na4 Nbd7!) (4. Qc2 { The Classical variation. This
is quite popular at all levels. } 4... Nc6!? { I love this rare setup. } { [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc6d4,Gd7d6] } 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bg5 (6. Bd2 O-O 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Re8 { and we play for ...e5 next. } { [%cal Ge6e5] }) 6... h6 { [%cal Gg5h4] } 7. Bh4? { White falls for our trap. } 7... g5 8. Bg3 g4 9. Nd2 Nxd4 10. Qa4+ Bd7 11. Qxb4 Nc2+ $19 { Oops! }) (4. e3 { This a popular Rubinstein variation. } 4... b6 5. Ne2 (5. Bd3 Bb7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 { [%csl Gc3,Gc4] } 8... c5 9. Nd2 Nc6 10. Bb2 { White
prepares e4. } 10... d6 11. e4 e5 { [%csl Gc5,Gd6,Ge5,Gb2] } 12. d5 Ne7 { A rock solid structure known as the
Huebner Wall. }) 5... Ba6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Nxc3 d5 8. cxd5 Bxf1 9. Rxf1 exd5 { Black is doing great. }) (4. Nf3 c5 { This leads to a rock solid structure known
as the Huebner Wall. } 5. e3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 d6 8. e4 e5 { [%csl Gc5,Gd6,Ge5] } 9. d5 Ne7 { Black is rock solid and will play on the kingside. Please note that often we
put our king on c7 or even castle long. We can expand with ...h6 & ...g5 and ..
.Ng6. } { [%csl Ge8][%cal Ge8g8,Gh7h6,Gg7g5,Ge7g6,Ge8d7,Gd7c7,Ge8c8] }) 4... Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 b6 6. f3 Nc6 7. e4 Ba6 { The plan is to play ...Na5
and pressure the c4-pawn. Black should wait before castling kingside to avoid
a direct attack with Bg5 & e5. } { [%csl Gc6,Gb6,Gc4,Ge5][%cal Gc8a6,Gc6a5,Ge8g8,Ge4e5,Gf6g8] } *


[Event "Old Man Repertoire: Symmetrical English"]
[Date "2026.01.07"]
[White "Symmetrical Engish"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Eugene"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A37"]
[Opening "English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Three Knights, Fianchetto Variation"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "Symmetrical English"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/N27LK54x"]

1. c4 { [%cal Gc7c5] } (1. Nf3 c5 { This will likely transpose. Black's plan is easy to remember:
...g6, Bg7 etc }) 1... c5 { I recommend this simple setup in the Symmetrical
English. } 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 { [%csl Gc5,Gg6,Gg7] } 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 (5. e4 { White goes for the
Botvinnik setup } { [%cal Gg1e2,Ga7a6,Gb7b5] } 5... a6 6. Nge2 b5 7. cxb5 axb5 8. Nxb5 Ba6 9. Nbc3 Nb4 10. O-O Bd3 { White is utterly paralyzed! We have a big threat of ...Bc2 and ...Nd3 winning
a queen. } { [%cal Gd3c2,Gd1e1,Gb4d3] }) 5... d6 6. O-O Bf5 { We will play ...Qd7 next with idea ...Bh3.
Black can even launch the attack with ...h5 & ...h4. For details, please check
out my Chessable course. } { [%csl Gf5][%cal Gd8d7,Gf5h3,Gh7h5,Gh5h4] } 7. d3 Qd7 8. Re1 Bh3 9. Bh1 h5! { I've analyzed
this attack in detail in my Chessable course: https://www.chessable.com/
lifetime-repertoires-nimzo-bogo-indian-defense/course/315526/ } *


[Event "rated blitz game"]
[Date "2026.02.05"]
[White "Eugene"]
[Black "Sjumadinac"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]
[Annotator "lichess.org"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation"]
[StudyName "Old Man Repertoire"]
[ChapterName "Eugene - Sjumadinac"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/RGfFHOzS/tYzU8SCS"]

1. d4 { [%eval 0.15] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.27] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.08] [%cal Gc2c4,Gg2g3] } 2... Nf6 { [%eval 0.11] } { D02 Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation } 3. c4 { [%eval 0.22] } 3... c6 { [%eval 0.24] } (3... e6 4. g3) 4. g3 { [%eval 0.08] [%cal Gf1g2,Ge1g1] } 4... e6 { [%eval 0.26] [%csl Gc8][%cal Gb7d5,Gf7d5] } 5. Nbd2 { [%eval 0.14] [%csl Gf3,Gc8][%cal Gb1d2,Gb8d7,Gf8e7,Ge8g8,Gb7b6] } (5. Bg2 dxc4 { [%cal Gb7b5] }) 5... b6 { [%eval 0.2] } 6. Bg2 { [%eval 0.2] [%cal Gc8b7,Gb8d7,Ge1g1,Gd1c2,Gb2b3,Gc1b2,Ge2e4] } 6... a5 { [%eval 0.44] [%csl Ga5,Gb6][%cal Gc8a6] } 7. O-O { [%eval 0.45] } 7... Be7 { [%eval 0.42] } 8. Qc2 { [%eval 0.46] [%cal Ge2e4] } 8... Ba6 { [%eval 0.61] } (8... O-O 9. e4 { [%csl Gc4,Gd4,Ge4,Gg2,Gc1,Gc8,Gb8,Ga8][%cal Gc1b2,Gc1f4,Ge4e5] }) 9. Rd1 { [%eval 0.66] } 9... O-O { [%eval 0.59] } 10. b3 { [%eval 0.66] [%csl Gc4][%cal Gb3c4,Gc1b2,Ge2e4] } (10. e4 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Qxe4 (12. Ne5 f5) 12... Bxc4) 10... b5 { [%eval 0.75] [%csl Gc6][%cal Gc4b5,Gc4d5] } 11. Ne5 { [%eval 0.74] [%csl Gc6,Gb8][%cal Ge5c6,Gg2a8,Ge2e4] } (11. c5 { [%csl Gc5,Gc6][%cal Ga6e2] } 11... b4 12. e4 Nbd7 13. e5 Ne8) 11... Nfd7 { [%eval 0.86] } 12. Nd3 { [%eval 0.98] [%csl Gb8][%cal Ge2e4] } (12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. e4) 12... Bf6 { [%eval 1.03] } 13. Bb2 { [%eval 0.59] [%csl Gb8,Gd7,Ga6] } 13... Ra7 { [%eval 0.97] [%csl Gc2][%cal Ga7c7,Gc7c2,Gc6c5] } 14. e4 { [%eval 0.95] } 14... Rc7? { [%eval 2.19] } { Mistake. bxc4 was best. } { [%csl Gc4,Ge4][%cal Ge4e5,Ge4d5,Gc4c5] } (14... bxc4 15. bxc4) 15. Rac1 { [%eval 1.6] [%csl Gc2,Gc1,Gd1,Gd3,Gd2,Gb2,Gb8,Gc7][%cal Gc1c7] } 15... bxc4 { [%eval 1.46] } 16. bxc4 { [%eval 1.61] } 16... Rc8 { [%eval 1.7] } (16... h6 17. cxd5 { [%csl Gc7,Gc1][%cal Gc6d5,Gc2c7] } 17... exd5 18. exd5) 17. Ba3 { [%eval 1.43] [%csl Gf8,Ge5][%cal Ge4e5,Gf6e7] } 17... Bxd4?! { [%eval 2.48] } { Inaccuracy. Re8 was best. } (17... Re8 18. e5 Be7 19. Bxe7 Rxe7 20. c5 Nf8 21. Rb1 Ra7 22. Bf1 Nbd7 23. h4) (17... Be7) 18. Bxf8 { [%eval 2.48] } 18... Qxf8 { [%eval 2.53] } 19. Nf4?! { [%eval 1.41] } { Inaccuracy. cxd5 was best. } (19. cxd5 cxd5 20. Qb3 { [%csl Gc1,Gc8][%cal Ga6f1] } 20... dxe4 21. Rxc8 Qxc8 22. Nxe4 h6 23. h3 Qc7 24. Rc1 Qa7) 19... Ne5?! { [%eval 2.34] } { Inaccuracy. dxc4 was best. } { [%cal Gd2f3] } (19... dxc4 20. Nxc4 c5 21. Nxa5 Ne5 22. Ne2 Nbc6 23. Nxc6 Nxc6 24. Bf1 h6 25. Rb1) 20. Nb3?! { [%eval 1.51] } { Inaccuracy. Nf3 was best. } { [%csl Gd4] } (20. Nf3 { [%csl Gd4,Ge5] } 20... Nxf3+ 21. Bxf3 { [%csl Gd4] } 21... e5 (21... dxe4 22. Bxe4 { [%csl Gh7,Gd4] }) 22. exd5 cxd5 23. Nxd5 g6 24. Qd2 Bxc4 25. Ne3 Be6) 20... Ba7 { [%eval 1.76] } 21. c5? { [%eval 0.22] } { Mistake. cxd5 was best. } { [%csl Ga7,Gc6,Gd5,Ge6,Gf7][%cal Gb8d7,Ga6f1] } (21. cxd5 cxd5 22. Qd2 Nc4 23. Qe1 d4 24. e5 Nd7 25. Nd3 Qd8 26. Qe4 Qb6) 21... a4?! { [%eval 0.91] } { Inaccuracy. Nbd7 was best. } (21... Nbd7) 22. Nd4 { [%eval 0.97] } 22... Nc4?? { [%eval 3.15] } { Blunder. Bc4 was best. } { [%csl Ge6][%cal Ga8c8,Gc8c4,Gc4a4,Ga4a8,Gf4e6,Gd4e6] } (22... Bc4 23. Bh3) 23. Bh3 { [%eval 3.16] } (23. Nfxe6 fxe6 24. Bh3 { [%csl Ge6] } 24... Kh8 25. Bxe6 Rd8 26. exd5 { [%csl Gc1,Ga7,Gb8] }) 23... e5 { [%eval 3.03] } 24. Bxc8 { [%eval 3.1] } 24... Qxc8 { [%eval 2.92] } 25. exd5 { [%eval 2.76] } 25... exd4 { [%eval 3.34] } 26. Rxd4 { [%eval 3.44] [%csl Gc4,Gc5,Gd5] } 26... Ne5 { [%eval 3.17] [%csl Gg1,Gd4][%cal Ge5f3] } 27. Qe4 { [%eval 3.14] } 27... f6 { [%eval 2.93] } 28. d6 { [%eval 2.42] [%csl Gd6,Ga4,Gg8][%cal Gc5d6,Ga2g8] } 28... Qg4?! { [%eval 3.57] } { Inaccuracy. Nbd7 was best. } { [%cal Ge5f3] } (28... Nbd7 29. Ne6) 29. Kg2 { [%eval 3.57] } 29... Nbd7? { [%eval 5.68] } { Mistake. Qd7 was best. } (29... Qd7 30. Rxa4 Kh8 31. Ra3 Kg8 32. f3 Bc8 33. Qe2 g5 34. Nd3 Qh3+ 35. Kg1) 30. h3 { [%eval 5.45] } 30... Qg5 { [%eval 6.22] } 31. Rxa4 { [%eval 5.56] [%cal Gd7c5] } 31... Nxc5?! { [%eval 7.59] } { Inaccuracy. Bc8 was best. } (31... Bc8 32. Rxa7 Nf8 33. Ra8 Bf5 34. Qe3 h5 35. Re1 h4 36. g4 Kh7 37. Rxf8) 32. Rxc5 { [%eval 7.58] } 32... Bxc5 { [%eval 6.93] } 33. Rxa6 { [%eval 6.99] } 33... Bxd6 { [%eval 8.09] } 34. Ra8+ { [%eval 7.77] } 34... Kf7 { [%eval 7.78] } 35. Ra7+ { [%eval 7.6] } 35... Be7 { [%eval 10.83] } 36. a4 { [%eval 7.41] [%csl Ga4][%cal Ga4a8] } 36... h5 { [%eval 6.34] } 37. Nd3 { [%eval 6.22] } 37... Ng6 { [%eval 6.6] } 38. Qc4+ { [%eval 7.04] [%cal Gf7f8,Ga7a8] } 38... Qd5+ { [%eval 6.76] } 39. Qxd5+ { [%eval 6.8] } 39... cxd5 { [%eval 6.62] } 40. a5 { [%eval 6.37] } { Normal Black resigns. } { [%cal Ga5a6] } 1-0


