13. March 2005
"Deep Forest" on playchess.com and worldchessnetwork.com writes:

The first lessons with Viktor were on indicators of danger, these were very instructive since Viktor used some of his games, he clearly showed the ideas he teach in practice, after the course we began focusing on openning preperation (my weakest point). The amount of knowledge he gives through a lesson is amazing and ideas in the openning explained, after a series of lessons on a particular variation he emails the material covered in lessons + more to help studies outside the time. I have the lessons on WCN. If you wish to ask me anything about his services, contact me with my handle "Deep Forest".

24. October 2005
"Michael Tallovsky" on playchess.com writes:

I have now about half year experience with GM Viktor Gavrikov on Playchess server. I have the lessons on playchess each week. In the beginning we focused the training mostly on strategy in the middle game Viktor used several criteria for improving your strategical and tactical skills.
Indicators of danger was an important subject in the lessons. When you consider a move you must try to avoid critical squares in the position of your pieces.
Another important subject was opposition of pieces in the middle game ( not King versus King in endgame) Important is that you recognize and make a habitude of this during the game.
Other subjects were taking the initiative and development of your pieces.
When you recognize these indicators of danger, Viktor learns you how further to exploit the weaknesses in the position of your opponent by tactical ideas.
After this we spend several lessons on endgames, especially rook endgames ( making bridges etc) and pawn endgames (opposition and triangles).
The next subject was opening preparation. Viktor prepared several lines for me in slow Italian (d3) , Scandinavian ( Bc4), Sicilian Dragon (d5) and Kings Indian (Nd7). Each week Viktor prepares all the material and where necessary he gives his own comments.
You can save the lessons on Playchess, thats important because its mostly a lot of material, so u can replay the lessons afterwards in a slow way.

I like it to play once in a while the study simultane against Viktor on saturday. He analyses the game than for you. Sometimes i follow the Banter games from him on WCN.

So thats my experience with Viktor so far. If you are a serious chessplayer, he can certainly help you to improve your game. For questions you can always contact with me with my handle "Michael Tallovsky".