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Contents:
The only prerequisite is to have the intention of becoming a serious chess student. My only source for business is this web site as well as word of mouth, yet I am often forced to turn down new students due to a busy schedule. Therefore I am only interested in long term relationships (and that's what it takes to improve). If you're only interested in a lesson or two, say, to acquire general tips on what to read and how to study, it will not be worth my while to study your background and games in preparation to our initial appointments (something I always do on my time). However, if all you need is a few tips, feel free to e-mail me, I'll be happy to give you a few pointers and recommendations at no cost. I specialize in working with intermediate players (1500-2100) and such are the people I have been able to help the most. If you are already a master you should probably seek help from a GM, and if you are a beginner you can certainly find more affordable lessons. Svetoslav Nikolov Dorobanov, born in 1976, FM (Fide Master at 20), SM2 (Senior Master), one IM (International Master) norm. Highest ratings: FIDE 2385, USCF 2402. Fluent English & Bulgarian, some Russian & German. Former student of National Champion of Bulgaria IM Atanasov (GM Topalov's trainer) and IM Donev (National Champion of Austria and coach of their adult team). Achievements: Four years in the National Youth Team for Bulgaria; Former Youth Champion of Bulgaria, 1989. Winner of the MIYT (Moscow International Youth Tournament), 1989. Second place in the International tournament "Septemvriche", Bulgaria, 1990. Sixth place in Bulgaria's National Championship for men, 1993. Winner of the 1995 New York Open (U2200) with 6.0/7.0 (+5 =2 -0). Champion of the 27th LPO Open, Winston-Salem, NC. Placed 22-ND (tie) in the 1997 New York Open (57 GM's, 208 IM's, FM's and masters) with 6.0/9.0 (+5 =2 -2). Originally from Bulgaria, now a US permanent resident, living in Las Vegas, NV since 2001. Married since 1996, 8-year old daughter. President of Dorobanov International, former sponsor of the 9th biggest tournament in Bulgaria (Rousse City) and Rousse Chess Club for youngsters under 14. Author of the Creative Chess Thought Audio, multimedia CD series. For more personal background see the Personal and Analysis pages. As a kid I was fortunate to be a member of the strongest Bulgarian youth club, DFS Dunav - Rousse. Playing for this team was not only a valuable experience but also a great responsibility and honor. Strong chess activity in Rousse was first observed in the 1960's, when International Master Kamen Piskov founded what later was to become the most productive chess club. Indeed, between 1981 and 1994 the 2-ND strongest Closed International Tournament "Kamen Piskov" took place each year in tribute to his bright name. Another person who tremendously increased the reputation of the club was Nikolay Minev, International Master and a distinguished author, whose many books were translated and are being sold worldwide. He now resides in the US State of Washington, still an active and popular book writer. Yet what contributed to Rousse's club the most was the teaching system created by International Masters Petko Atanasov and Ivo Donev. As briefly mentioned earlier, they were the trainers of GM Veselin Topalov, whose talent exceeded everybody's expectations by entering the top 5 (and hopefully becoming a World Champion one day). In 1988 Topalov became the World Champion for 12 and younger (master at the time) and left Rousse's team in search for greater glory in international tournaments for men. Despite the absence of our best player, we were able to still make National Champions in 1989, where playing on board 1 I marked my first "big" victory with 6.5/7.0. This was our club's final success, as only months later the political situation made all kinds of sport activities impossible, and like many other sports organizations Rousse's chess club collapsed. Although all 6 members of our youth team remained active and later earned FIDE titles, chess activity strongly declined in the next 3 years. The club revived with new members in 1992, but somehow the magic was gone. I quit chess to enter the English Language School of Rousse under the advice of my parents, and my next involvement with Rousse's chess was in July of 1997 when I became the sponsor of the earlier mentioned annual tournament, and partially helping the club for youngsters in hopes to bring back what used to be Bulgaria's most respectable club. Former trainer P. Atanasov retired during the time of political changes, and I. Donev immigrated to Austria, where he became National Champion in 1993. He now remains a professional player and coach for the Austrian and German teams, also an author for ChessBase, Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO), and New In Chess (NIC) publications. Other well known Bulgarian players include GM Antoaneta Stefanova (World champion U12 in 1989 and the current female World Champion, 2004 at age 26), GM Kiril Georgiev (once ranked #9 in the World at around 2700), GMs Krum Georgiev, Vladimir Georgiev, Vasil Spassov, and many others. If you are curious what the rates are, you may want to jump toward the end of this document, although you will get a much better idea if you follow through. I give three types of lessons, which you could combine: 1) Lectures on my course (connected back to back), which come with a number of free chess software materials (a list of which you can find further below). Later in this document you can see the description and contents of this course. 2) General lectures, which are not connected - analyzing, giving pointers in your games, playing at your chosen time control followed by comments, building your opening repertoire and discussing variations, etc. When taking this type of lessons you do not follow any programs (such as my course). These lessons also come with free games in portable notation. While training without following a certain program is not as systematic, it is less involved (if you don't want to commit to a long term studying relationship) and might be the better choice for some players. 3) Annotating games by e-mail. These are not online lectures. For that you will have to e-mail me at least three (3) games in CBH or PGN format. I will e-mail them back to you after placing notes on each critical move, using text, symbol, and graphical annotations. For annotation samples refer to the Analysis page, although it lacks database functions. It is better if you lightly text-annotate these games first, it gives me an idea of what you were thinking at the time. Please, keep in mind this is quite time consuming and therefore subject to time availability. *If you wish, you can combine a couple or all of the above three types. For example, an hour a week of the program and an hour a week of game analysis. In fact, it is highly recommended that we analyse at least your OTB tournament games. Sorry, I no longer offer group lessons, lectures, simuls, lessons in person, or magazine articles. How Lessons Are Performed Online Lessons are usually given on ICC's backup server, queen.chessclub.com, in examine mode. At start, you will have to type "follow A-Storm". If you need to move the pieces on the same board, I will make that possible with the command "mexamine <handle>" and you will be notified by your interface client. Before each lesson, I will have prepared positions in my ICC libraries to save time for setting up these positions (else I will compensate your time). As we look up these examples, I will be explaining and giving answers to your questions. My typing speed is about 70-75 wpm which is quite fast. However, you can really match the quality of lessons in person by calling me at (702) 871-1196 (or have me call you). In the long run, using the phone pays off: we will be able to proceed at a higher pace and save online time. On the other hand, if you chose not to use the phone, you will be compensated for the time wasted in typing, lag, disconnections, etc as explained under "Rates" below. The option of using the phone only compliments and does not substitude the ICC connection which we most definitely need. I said you can call me to "match" the quality of lessons in person, actually a big understatement. The software features (saving, going back and forth in a game, using graphics) plus the convenience add up to a far superior deal. |
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Click here for a larger image, taken at 1152x864 resolution. |
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The BlitzIn program (free and available at www.chessclub.com) features powerful customization options. You can change window sizes (probably you won't be using such a high and hard to read graphics resolution, I did it for picture quality), fonts, colors (for example white background instead of black), board and piece styles, etc. You can make the board look just like the green diagrams I used for my Analysis page if you so wish. To the right you see the communications window, which you can resize to the demands of your video card and monitor size. Of course, we don't communicate by typing when we use the phone. |
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I am not the original author of the entire course. It was developed by IM P. Atanasov and IM I. Donev, former trainers of GM Topalov (2750). Like I tried to describe it earlier, growing up and training together with these guys has been a valuable experience to me, and I can only try to reproduce the teaching system I've learned from them. I refer to it as "the course". It is very similar to Botvinnik's school studies. The first section deals with tactics, with explanation of each tactical method. Although combination books are widely available, I have noticed that most of them simply lack the explanation of how to find and perform these combinations. I had been studying combinations on my own for over a year before I received formal training and I know the difference. After each lesson, you will be e-mailed several solved, annotated examples for each sub-section as well as a large bonus database at the end of the section, ~4,000 puzzles (everything is in ChessBase format). The annotated databases serve as a reference for the covered material, like a brief summary. The extra examples are to provide you with some homework, as well as to save you the time and need to take notes during lessons. The second phase is on Endings. I will attempt to cover most theoretical concepts as well as the important theoretical exceptions. You will not need to go over dozens of books and hundreds of examples to master this phase of the game. I only know and use some 100 theoretical endings and yet I consider it one of my strengths. Similarly to the first part, after each online lesson, you will be e-mailed a number of text annotated examples plus a larger database at the end. This endings section (as well as any other) can be extended depending on the student's need and desire. The third phase is rather advanced and most suitable for players who have already developed tactical sense and know much about the endgame. It deals with typical positions in the middlegame, pawn structures, types of centers, planning, strategy, etc. Mind that each sub-section is backed up with 30 (at least) to 100 classical games, annotated heavily with text, graphics, and symbols, plus the usual large bonus database at the end. Most of the annotation explains the purpose of each move, rather than branching down dry analysis. The fourth phase of the course includes linking the opening to the middlegame, applying the openings to the endings and establishing your opening repertoire. I will provide you with detailed (CBH, text) databases for all your variations. Recommended works on the course: I strongly encourage all of my students to read the hard copy of A. Nimzowisch's "My System". If you do not own a copy of this book, buy the "21st Century Edition", the one in algebraic notation! For the first phase (tactics), you do not need a book; you will be e-mailed a huge amount of examples. Combinations are about practicing, endgames are about understanding and memorizing, much like the openings. Averbakh's five volumes are excellent for section II if you are determined to spend this much time on endings - however it is not necessary until a later stage of development. As of yet, I have not found anything suitable for the third phase summarized in one book. Of course, you do not have to purchase any of this in order to take the course, neither do you need to take notes during lectures (I will pretty much do this for you in database format). As I design your self study program to compliment our training, I will recommend certain books, software, and excercises. Even if your trainer was the great Botvinnik, the greatest effort would still have to come from you. * Mind that you are not required to take the entire course, it is up to you to decide which sections you would like to skip, cover faster, etc and I will help you decide. I. Tactical Themes
A) Pawn Endings
B) Piece Endings
C) Rook endings
D) Queen endings
E) Mixed endings
All software e-mailed to you is free with any online lessons (you get 3-6, and 8 below only if taking the course since they were designed for it). Here is a short summary of the material I intend to e-mail or mail to you. There will be additional bonuses for sure, but I cannot list them all (for example, a database with analysis in a certain opening).
* Despite being free, these works are protected by a copyright. Please, no distributions. To take advantage of all software materials you need to obtain a free demo version of ChessBase, at 1) Many people want to know how strong they have to be in order to take the course. My lectures are suitable for various strength players below the master level. I give mainly individual lessons to make this possible. However, players who are in their very start of learning chess (under 1300 or so), are recommended not to take the course yet, it will be more effective to do so later, after some progress. 2) Players are curious to find out how much is expected from them to learn and how much they will improve by my lessons. I cannot guarantee everybody to become a master -- I do not think anybody can promise that. But this course made me one, and you will at least notice an improvement (hopefully a considerable improvement) as I do my best to help you progress. Not everybody is fortunate to be rewarded so well for his efforts, but I'm proud of these guys: Anya Corke from Hong Kong started working with me as an A-class player and in less than 2 years earned the FM, WGM and Champion of Asia titles. Mitchell Thomas from California was under 1500 when he won two consecutive tournaments and was floored, first over 1600 and a week later over 1800 for winning thousands in his class. Think his rating had some catching up to do? I've had many students who placed in the top 10 of the three largest opens: World Open /Philadelphia/, New York Open /New York/, National Open /Las Vegas/, and of course I have taught people who never intended to play in tournaments but wanted to improve only to develop a better appreciation for the game, such as 79-year old Walther Praca from Florida. Unlike most sports, one can enjoy chess at any age. 3) How many hours per week am I supposed to take? This is entirely up to you. Plan your time and finances and decide that yourself. You could take as little as an hour every two weeks, or as many hours as I have available at the time (which is rarely more than 2-3 per week). It is not said that you have to take lessons on regular basis either, although improvement takes consistency. 4) How many hours will it take to cover the course? This is the most frequently asked question and the most difficult one for me to answer. It really depends on the individual student - how fast can you pick up, how often interruptions occur, whether you use the phone or not, etc. Most people manage to cover all of the course in ~6 months taking 2 hours per week (or ~50 lessons). The third phase is most time-consuming and on average you will need approximately 2 hours for each topic, while the first (tactics) section takes no more than 1 hour per theme. Sometimes we can zip through 2-3 small endgame topics in one lesson. 5) Not surprisingly, some players request lessons information regarding openings in particular. I build opening repertoires by first determining the most suitable openings for the given individual, then charting down the main tree lines using databases, encyclopedias, informants, books, etc., and finally supplying analysis and game examples for each line. If your favorite opening is not amongst the ones I have already researched and annotated, I will make you a custom database. It could take me as little as 2 hours or as much as 40 (such as Anya's Grunfeld). Rates (US Dollars)
I realize that $40/h is unusually high for someone who never even completed his IM title, but I value my time a great deal. For several years giving lessons on ICC was my full time job, and I charged considerably less. These days I give lessons only because I enjoy it and because I'd like to stay involved in the game. Time wasted because of typing, lag, disconnections, etc. will not be held against you. On average, one hour and 15 minutes counts as one, and in general I am very reasonable with overtime, free lessons etc. Every student is also entitled to a custom designed weekly self-study regime. You may request a refund for any unused funds at any time. Generally, I will need a prepayment for five (5) lessons (for example $200 for individual lessons or $225 if you have me call you long distance). If you are uncertain about the lessons you may prepay just a couple of hours to see how it goes (the ICC chekel system is rather handy for that). But please keep in mind that I will not e-mail the software startup package, the free CD, or research your games on my time until your 5th paid lesson. For your convenience, you may use any form of payment: 1) Mail a check or money order to:
2) Use your VISA, MC, AmX or DSC at no extra cost. My merchant company is Nova Information Systems in association with First Union Bank. Your credit card statement will display Dorobanov International. 3) ICC chekels (using your credit card through ICC), where 1 chekel = $1. I am in the vendors list under A-Storm when you type "help vendors" or "help services" on the server. To learn how to deal with chekels and for more information, read "help chekels". Unfortunately, ICC's service charge to vendors is 10% and I will ask you to compensate me. Also, ICC has a limit of $100 in 2 weeks. 4) I also accept bank wire transfers and instant cash transfers (such as Western Union or MoneyGram) possibly Neteller and Paypal. If you live outside the US and/or this is your only option for paying, please contact me for details. * If you need a receipt/invoice for your expenses I can certainly mail, e-mail or fax you one. If you decided to start training with me, please e-mail me with the following information, which will get us started faster. 1) Your name and your ICC handle (!). Background and autobiography isn't necessary, but appreciated; phone number and address (also optional). 2) What days of the week are convenient for you, and times (US Eastern Time = ICC time, which you can find out by typing "date" on ICC). If you can, give me a couple of alternatives, in case the initially desired day/time is already unavailable. 3) Mention the amount of lessons (e.g. 2 h per week, 1 hour every other week, etc). 4) What kind of lessons are you interested in (types 1, 2 or 3 described above), and if you chose the course, name the place where you would like to start from (if planning to skip any sections). Also mention if you are planning to use the phone. 5) Tell me what you think your weaknesses are, i.e. what part of the game you find most difficult. I strongly encourage that we spend our first hour looking at some of your games or playing, so you can give me your own reasons for making certain moves. Feel free to send me your CBH database of personal games. 6) Do not forget to mention your method of payment as well as expected date of sending it. Upon receiving it I will notify you and confirm our first appointment. I will also forward a series of e-mail messages containing attachments, a package to help us get started quicker (contains tips, recommendations, database samples, annotations, articles, and an evaluation TEST which will require a response). 7) A list of your chess software. You could also list any chess books you have (if you would like a recommendation, although we will get to that later). Do mention your chess experience, books you've read, etc.
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