GM Lars Schandorff - Inside the Mind of Chessable Author of the Year

The first thing for me to decide is I only work on sound openings.

I mean, that's the principle.

It kind of limits it a bit, but I think it's important to deliver some material that can actually be used in all situations.

And also by all, I have a very broad audience because, I mean, like I said, it's user-friendly, but also I cover the main lines very deep, so very strong players can use it.

They can also use some of my suggestions because...

Although my takeoff is a sound opening, I try to find the possibilities all the way to play for a win, not just to equalize or get a very solid position, but more to get a real game.

That's the challenge.

So I try to work on openings that gives you some flexibility.

A lot of openings can go in many directions.

Like, for instance, the caracan.

I mean, it had a very solid reputation in the old days because it was played by players like Carpo and so on who mainly tried to equalize and get a solid position.

But if you watch the caracan these days, it's used by...

Yeah.

Very dynamic aggressive players.

I mean, nowadays, if you play the Karakhan, you play it to get a fighting position.

You play it to play for all three resources.

Because if you wanted to play solid, you could play one e5.

Right.

Petro offensive.

So

it has completely changed.

And the caracan is very interesting to write about because there are so many very different lines in it.

It is actually anything else than a concept opening.

It's the opposite of a concept opening.

I think it's maybe the opening with the most diverse middle game positions.