203. New In Chess Yearbook Number 52 (1999)
My first and only venture into New In Chess Yearbook territory.
Just a survey of opening variations.
Pretty well done but that's all it is.
Definitely worthwhile and great for the aspiring professional, however.
204. Winning Chess Traps By Chernev
You play through 300 different openings spotting tactical shots that come from the line.
Very Good Tactical and Opening Practice
Recommended
205. How To Open A Chess Game
By Evans, Gligoric, Hort, Petrosian, Portisch, Keres, and Larsen.
Basically a large group of players at the San Antonio 1972 chess tournament got together and decided to write THE OPENING MANUAL.
This really is a lost treasure.
I paid way too much for my copy. When I received it, it was in really awfull shape. In spite of all that, I still love it.
Each GM writes a chapter.
You start with the most basic of opening principles.
Theory and practice is next, followed by developing an opening repertoire with advice from Portisch.
My favorite chapter by far is A Personal Approach To The Opening by Larsen. He discusses much of his own ideas in the opening. Many gems are included. He liked 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 for example. Against an opponent that he expected to play 3. ... Nxe4, he switched to 2.Bc4. He also discusses many of his own opening ideas, like 2.f4 vs the Sicilian. That Chapter is well worth buying the Entire Book !!!
The last chapter is also excellent. Keres goes into great detail about a very specific variation (his defense to the Ruy Lopez)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL LEVELS MAYBE EVEN .... A MUST BUY
Be warned ... cover says $4.95 ... I paid around $20 but mine was in horrible shape.
206. The Ideas Behind The Chess Openings By Fine
A Classic in it's day.
Fine goes to great lengths to describe the goals/what is going on in each opening. A Great Book
Warning Some of the openings are no longer in use and some modern openings weren't around back then. The general age shows but still a great book.
207. More Chess Openings Traps And Zaps 2 by Pandolfini
(Along with book one) this teaches you to look for or refute tactical shots in the openings.
Good Practice ... Around beginner level book
208. 700 Opening Traps By Wall
Just a book with short games. Not very good at all.
209. Skandinavisch bis Sizilianisch By Boleslawski
In other words, Scandinavian and Sicilian By Boleslavsky.
This is one of a few non-English books that I have.
Boleslavsky's books were considered outstanding at one time.
Much of the aged analysis is in fact still good today.
More for the collector, I guess
210. Konigs-indisch bis Grunfeld-Verteidigung By Boleslawski
Another German Book King's Indian And Grunfeld By Boleslavsky
See Previous Review
211. and 212. Opening Ideas and Analysis For Advanced Players 1 and 2 By Soltis
Soltis takes many openings and brakes them down in these books. You see the history of the opening (its evolution), the ideas of it, and how it fares in practice.
Pretty good manuals ... I prefer the historical aspect of them
213. From The Opening Into The Endgame By Mednis
Mednis examines opening variations that tend to lead right into the endgame in this one. The Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation would be one obvious example. The book is supposedly to help you set up a repertoire but some variations aren't looked at. (After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 is the only line examined.) It does have a very deep well done discussion of what it does cover.
( It includes multiple variations in certain lines.)
Maybe, more of an endgame book than an opening manual.
All in all, Very Good
214. Strategic Themes In The Opening And Beyond By Mednis
Similar to the previous book. There is some discussion of the Hedgehog (in the endgame) here.
Get the other one first, if any.
215. 101 Chess Opening Surprises By Burgess
Here is a random example.
Surprise 46
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d5
Soundness 2 Surprise Value 4
Not all the suggestions are this bad/weird.
Fun but is it really helpful ???
216. The Big Book Of Busts By Watson And Schiller
I fell in love with this book the first time I saw it.
What if my opponent doesn't play the main line openings?
This is what if.
Here you learn how to play against just about every unorthodox opening white/black can throw at you.
Learn to play black aggressively against 1.b4 and 1.g4.
Be prepared for oddballs like 1.e4 e5 2.Bb5.
A LOT of offbeat openings and gambits are included in this one.
There is even systems for black against the Trompowsky, Torre (e6 and g6), and London.
This book was published in 1995, so I don't know about the aging.
Still it is ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
217. The Myers Openings Bulletin New MOB No.9
A little self published magazine/pamplet that used to come out in issues.
Myers would go to great lengths to find the history of opening variations and such.
There were even book reviews and articles.
I don't know the current status of this one.
All in all ... I like it
218. Unorthodox Chess Openings By Schiller
Very similar to The Big Book Of Busts.
Schiller looks at (and attempts to refute) crazy openings.
Not all that much actual analysis. More of a quick reference book with a line or two on each.
It is a rather thick book (500+) pages.
I think it's ok ... other reviewers tend to bash it.
Please Seek Another Review
219. How To Think Ahead In Chess By Horowitz And Reinfeld
This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE OPENING BOOKS.
The author gives you a repertoire.
You get the Stonewall Attack with white, The Sicilian Dragon VS 1.e4, and The Lasker Queen's Gambit vs 1.d4.
Here's what you don't get.
A good system for white after 1.d4 Nf6
The main lines of the Yugoslav (which wasn't around back then).
A good defense to 1.d4 d5 2. moves other than c4.
Now here's what you do get.
An outstanding opening manual that teaches you to plan out the whole game.
There is a discussion of where each and every piece goes and what function it has.
You get the foundation of planning out an entire game from the opening.
In the back, is a chapter on how to cope with unusual openings like 1. ... b6.
The book is in descriptive but had a major influence on me.
The plusses outweigh the minuses for me at least.
Highly Recommended (Especially for beginners or someone looking to learn some new basic openings)
220. Simple Chess By Weaver Adams
My copy, purchased years ago from Chess Digest, is not a book.
It is printed out papers with Weaver's analysis.
The copyright is 1946.
In this unusual book, Weaver gives you a complete (dated) opening repertoire.
Included are his favorite Vienna Game and Albin Countergambit.
More for the collector.
221. Action Chess By Purdy
An Opening Repertoire from Purdy
It covers the Colle System, the French with 3. ... dxe4, and a Tartakower set up.
I really dislike the format of this book.
Add that with analysis that doesn't really hold and you have a lemon.
I like Purdy but not this.
222. Baroque Chess Openings (How To Play Your Betters At Chess) By Wincor
A Very Delightful Book
It looks at openings in a new way.
The general idea is to avoid theory without compromising yourself !!!
The Stonewall Reversed, 1.d4 Nf6 2.b3 (with a Colle in mind after d5), and many other out of the ordinary ideas are looked at.
This is not pages and pages of analysis. This is a few practical solutions with good advice.
A Very Unusual Book (1.d3 ! d6 !! draw ... LOL)
Good For Lower Rated Players and Up ... I absolutely love it.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
223. Opening Tactics For Club Players By Samarian
A Very Good Quick Repertoire Opening Books
First openings in general are briefly looked at.
Next, is good coverage of various gambits.
Then, comes the meat of the book ... opening systems for players without much time/desire to "book up".
The suggestions for white and black are very straightforward and easy to play.
White 1.b3 or King's Indian Attack or Bishop's Opening or Sicilian 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 !?/ 2. ... Nc6 3.Bb5. (With 1.e4 you play the King's Indian versus everything except 1. ... e5 and 1. ... c5)
Black 1. ... g6 (Gurgendize with c6 and d5), Caro-Kann Panov for black (in case you play 1. ... c6 and 2. ... d5 before g6), French with 3.Nc3 dxe4 in mind, Dutch Stonewall, and New York System vs Flank Openings (London System for black).
As you can probably tell from my previous posts, I play the Stonewall and New York Systems with black. This book is part of my inspiration.
A GREAT BOOK
224. A Startling Chess Opening Repertoire By Baker
A repertoire for white only with 1.e4
There is very good analysis of less used lines in this one.
Unfortunately, I have a few problems with it.
The Max Lange Attack requires too much memorization and doesn't even lead to a white advantage.
In addition, the French System 1.e4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.d4 c5 is not to my liking.
Other ideas ... vs Sicilian same system as previous book reviewed
vs Caro-Kann Main Line with Nge2
It is a complete repertoire, however. I dislike it mainly as a matter of personal taste. Others much stronger than me, might truly love it.
Not my personal favorite ... but maybe a Great Book
I am going to go through some of these opening books fairly quickly.
225. Gambits By Estrin
Estrin examines a few gambits.
O.K. It can't hold a candle to his Two Knight's Book
226. Counter Gambits Black To Play And Win By Harding
Harding shows various gambits from black's respective.
I didn't really get that much use from it.
227. Gambit Opening Repertoire For White By Schiller
1.e4 followed by a gambit vs every variation.
The gambits are playable and sometimes fun, but often they get you into more trouble than they are worth.
Not much analysis either
228. Gambit Opening Repertoire For Black By Schiller
Based mainly on the Scandinavian Portuguese and Henning-Schara
Not much analyis
229. An Opening Repertoire For White By Keene And Levy
A short but sweet opening repertoire book.
There is not a lot of analysis on the variations but it is a good place to start.
1.e4 c5 2.c3
1.e4 e5 (Scotch Four Knights)
1.e4 e6 (Advance with early Be3)
1.e4 c6 (Advance with early 4.h4)
1. e4 others
VS 1. e4 Scandinavian Portuguese d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Bg4
VS 1. d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 Chigorin Defense
VS 1. c4 d6 (and e5/f5)
vs others
Overall Good Book
230. An Opening Repertoire For The Attacking Player By Gufeld
Same Title Different Author
Another short but sweet repertoire book.
1.e4 c5 2.f4
1.e4 e5 Vienna
1.e4 e6 Advance
1.e4 c6 Advance with Nc3 and g4
vs 1.e4 Sicilian Dragon
vs 1.d4 Leningrad Dutch
Overall Good
231. A Black Defensive System With 1. ... d6 By Soltis
1. e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6
1. d4 d6 2.c4 e5
An OK repertoire book
232. Franco-Benoni Defense By Soltis
1.e4 e6 2.d4 c5
1.d4 e6 2.c4 c5
Acceptable
233. A Complete Defense For Black By Keene
1. e4 Nc6 2.d4 e5
1. d4 Nc6
Uses whole games.
OK
234. Black To Play Classical Defenses And Win By Schiller
1. e4 e5 and 2.d4 d5 for black.
Has illustrative games.
Acceptable
235. 200 Open Games By Bronstein
Bronstein looks at 200 double king pawn openings. There is a brief discussion of the opening followed by a game, and so on.
Good
236. A Complete Opening System For White With 1.P-K4 By Soltis
An older Chess Digest pamplet
1.e4 e5 Vienna with g3
1.e4 c5 Grand Prix
1.e4 French Advance
1.e4 c6 Exchange
Alright but very slim (49 pages)
237. Play The Open Games As Black By Emms
This book teaches you to meet 1. e4 with e5.
A good, solid defense is advocated against every opening EXCEPT the Ruy Lopez.
This isn't your average, flung together opening manual.
These are good solid defenses that aren't likely to be refuted.
OUTSTANDING
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED If You Want To Meet 1. e4 with 1. ... e5
238. 3 Double King Pawn Openings By Estrin
Bishop's Opening, Hungarian Defense, and Ponziani Opening.
Good Analysis ... Not Great Though
239. The Romantic King's Gambit By Santasiere and Smith
This is basically a collection of very well played and exciting King's Gambit Games. The analysis (what little there is) is in/around the games. Not really a theoretical work ... more of an example of the King's Gambit in practice.
Many Classics from throughout history are included.
Pretty Good
240. King's Gambit By Hay
Old Chess Digest Pamplet with some very good analysis of the King's Gambit. I noticed a lot of the lines are repeated in the Korchnoi book that I will review next.
Perhaps dated but well done
241. The King's Gambit By Korchnoi And Zak
Good King's Gambit analysis.
Again possibly dated (Copyright 1986)
In its day, considered an excellent book.
242. Winning With The King's Gambit By Gallagher
My copy is autographed !!!
Gallagher brought the King's Gambit out of obscurity.
Here is a really well annotated collection of his games with the King's Gambit.
They are sorted by opening variation.
A Great Book Out Of Print (and outrageously priced)
243. The King's Gambit As White 3rd Revised Edition By Raingruber and Maser
An Excellent Repertoire Book For The King's Gambiteer
Every defense after 1.e4 e5 2.f4 is covered from white's perspective (even 2. ... Qh4+ ).
The Kiesertizky Gambit which is recommended in this book is sadly under a dark cloud at the moment.
Even so, this is an excellent opening manual.
RECOMMENDED
244. Falkbeer Counter-Gambit By Leach
Basically, a database game dump, sorted by variations.
That being said, I still like the book.
Over and over, I try to think of new ideas in the Falkbeer.
After some over the board analysis, I check to find if the variation has been played. Then I find the refutation that I overlook. 🙂
The Falkbeer appears to be refuted.
Good
245. and 246. 500 King's Gambit Miniatures 1 and 2 By Wall
Just short games, no annotations, not good
247. Understanding The Spanish By Taulbut
An attempt to look at the Ruy Lopez from a strategic standpoint, rather than just pages and pages of raw analysis.
An illustrative game or two is included with each variation.
Good ... Maybe Great ... I'm not really crazy about it.
248. The Complete Spanish By Suetin
1992 or so analysis of every variation of the Ruy Lopez.
A good one book - every variation - guide to the Ruy Lopez.
Newer book would probably be better.
249. Ruy Lopez Classical Defense By Leach
Game Dump ... Sorted By Variaition ... See my review of the Falkbeer
Good
250. The Classical Defense To The Ruy Lopez By Winters
38 page pamplet ... looks just like a small MCO printout
251. 4. ... d5 in The Cordel Defense Spanish Game
By Filipowicz & Konikowski
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bc5 4.c3 d5 !?
Little Pamplet on interesting variation
The Big Book Of Busts did give this line quite a bashing.
252. Ruy Lopez : Improved Classical Defence By Leach
Unannotated Games By Variation
253. Ruy Lopez Berlin Defence Main Line Part 2 By Leach
Unannotated Games By Variation
254. Winning With The Schliemann By Tseitlin
Good Little (155 Page) Book of Ruy Lopez 3. ... f5 Analysis
An opening book by a GM that actually plays the variation !!!
Some of the lines may be in a little trouble but the author does give a good thorough account of the variation.
Very Good
I think that's my last review for tonight.
I'll pick up on the Ruy some more tomorrow.
Anyone still reading?
Well you have started so I guess you had better finish.
I have 90% of the books yiu have - agree with most of what
you to say about them. 'cept of couse the Unknown Capablanca.
Fischer's My 60 Games the alegrbraic version with no additions and nothing
removed is on sale at £12.95 at the London Chess Centre.
Before I go any further, I must refer all readers to the greenpawn review of the Unknown Capablanca. He has obviously devoted more time than I have to it and can give a better assessment.
THERE !!!!
I'll go get some more books now.
I think people are losing interest, though.
255. Beating The Ruy Lopez (With The Fianchetto Variation) By Soltis
This is a book based on 3. ... g6 and/or 3. ... Nge7 followed by g6.
This is from the days when Soltis dealt out opening book after opening book for Chess Digest.
It really is a skimpy book (108 pages).
I was generally unhappy with some of the final positions reached as well.
I can't really discount 3. ... g6, however. It was used by Pillsbury long ago. I remember playing through a few nice Smyslov games with the variation, as well.
Good Opening / Bad Book
256. Winning With The Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation By Soltis
Revised 2nd Edition
This is actually a quite nice book to get started with the RL Exchange.
The first chapter includes some historical games and an example of the ending you are looking for.
Then, the chapters give a repertoire for white versus all the black defenses.
In the back, the best part of the book, is a chapter titled "How Fischer Played It".
This deeply looks at 9 exchanges that Fischer played.
RECOMMENDED for the Exchange fan, endgame fan, or someone who needs a good solid opening for white after 1.e4 e5.
257. The Spanish Exchange By Kinsman
This book from Batsford came about right when the trend of printing games with analysis in them, rather than variations started.
I am not a big fan of this format of opening book.
Plusses You get to see who plays the variation you like.
You get to see the results of the actual games.
You get to see beyond the opening and the middlegames/endings it tends to lead to.
Minuses It is harder to reference
There are not enough variations/ not all variations are included.
The author is really just selling you a game printout.
I believe annotated games are great but they belong in game collections, not opening manuals. This is my opinion. No doubt, others will disagree.
Perhaps the best format is games and actual analysis trees together.
Ok, back to the actual book.
Included are 65 games that cover every variation of the Ruy Exchange.
This differs from the Soltis book because Soltis only gives lines for white.
This book looks at variations without taking a perspective.
Pretty Good (If you like the format)
258. Meet C.A.R.L. (The Center Attack In The Ruy Lopez) By Runke
Another of the Chess Digest $1/free pamplets.
49 pages / algebraic
259. Spanish (Ruy Lopez): Chigorin By Bikhovsky
Great old style Batsford book
One thing I like about these books is the cover.
In the lower left hand corner, you get the level of book you are getting.
This particular book, for instance, is master level.
Published in 1983 117 Pages
Very Good Analysis of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Na5
A Very Good Opening Manual (but 25 years old)
260. Ruy Lopez Breyer System By Blackstock
Same as above variation but 9. h3 Nb8.
Copyright 1976 / 102 Pages
I learned the Breyer from watching Spassky use it against Fischer.
It is a very nice/ solid defense to the Ruy Lopez.
It can be a little tricky though (sometimes you play c6, sometimes c5, and sometimes d5 ... knowing which and when is the trick).
Good Little Book (Again Very Dated)
261. The Spanish Inquisition By Schiller
(Volume 1: The Zaitsev Variation ... There is no Volume 2)
"No one expects the Spanish Inquisition." he he
106 pages of typical Schiller analysis
A lot of variations say "transposes to the Breyer".
Good Variation / Bad Book
262. The Marshall Attack By Nunn And Harding
Intermediate Level
An outstanding 217 page manual covering this variation of the Ruy.
The analysis is great. Every variation is covered.
They really did their homework.
Copyright 1990 but still worth owning for the Marshall devotee
Very Good/ Great
263. Marshall Attack Made Easy By Elburg
42 Pages (Very Slim) 1994
This is actually a pretty good book on the Marshall.
A "little" book that gives you a couple ways to play the Marshall Ruy from black's perspective.
Definitely a good first Marshall book.
Included are the main line (for black), 9.exd5 e4!? , and the Anti-Marshall.
See Also The Latvian Gambit Made Easy
264. Ruy Lopez Arkhangelsk System By Konikowski
Ruy System with an early b5 and Bb7 (sometimes followed by Bc5).
All variations are covered AND illustrative games are included.
Copyright 1987
Dated But Good Book
265. The Open Spanish By Krasenkov
ALL variations are analysed by a GM. There are illustrative games in the back as well.
1995 160 Pages jam packed with analysis.
Great Book For The Fan Of The Open Ruy Lopez
266. How To Play The Dilworth Attack By Schiller
A specific variation of the Open Spanish is analysed by Schiller.
Mostly just games are included.
The opening starts out looking tactical but ends up being an endgame (black sacks bishop and knight for rook and pawn and active play). I never really got any good blitz games testing the variation (mostly dull after the opening is over).
I can't really discount the variation. I'm sure there must be some good to it because it is fairly popular.
OK Book
Next Post The Italian/Evans And Two Knights !!!
267. Winning With The Giouco Piano And The Max Lange Attack
Revised 2nd Edition (By Soltis)
A short introduction followed by thorough analysis of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 for white. In the back, little sidelines like 3. ...d6 and 3. ... g6 are even covered. The entire book is written from white's perspective. After 3. ... Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 is advocated. This includes cxd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Bd2 (briefly) and 7.Nc3 (with much analysis).
Also covered is 3. ... Nf6 4.d4 for white.
Whether the final positions actually win for white is another debate entirely. The variations in the book really do give way to lively play.
Recommended For Someone Looking For A Ruy Lopez Alternative
268. The Giuoco Piano By Gufeld And Stetsko
A Good Survey of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 , including the Evans.
The analysis is within games.
Copyright 1996 160 Pages
269. The Italian Game (C53-C54) By s1 Editrice
Copyright 1994 / 103 Pages
A lot of informant style (textless) analysis of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3.
More for reference. ... I have used my copy several times (alongside other books on the variation).
270. Trends In The Italian Vol 2 By Lalic
100 unannotated games with the Italian.
Database printout with perhaps a few words about the game.
271. The Evans Gambit Revolution By Moody
First, let me set the tone. Adoring romantic chess fans watch there heroes Morphy and Anderssen slay victim after victim with this wonderful gambit (along with the King's Gambit). Then, Lasker comes along and "refutes" the darn thing. He doesn't go pawn grabbing like the players of the past. He gives back the pawn and heads for a superior endgame. From that point on, the Evans stayed under the radar in professional chess. Some great players played and analyzed it but for the most part it was dead in top chess.
Then one day, out of the blue, Kasparov whips out 4.b4 !!. He claims two wonderful scalps (Anand and Piket). THE EVANS RETURNS !!!
Around this period, EVERYONE began looking at the Evans again.
The debates began to fly (in book form).
Here, Moody decided to look for new ways to play the Evans.
I believe Lev Alburt also helped with some of the analysis, although that could be wrong.
In this particular book, Moody makes new suggestions over and over.
A lot of untested variations are included.
The debate with Harding rages on in this revised 1995 edition.
I also have an 8 page printout titled addendum that Chess Digest used to sell alongside the book.
That's what the book is. It is actually hard to rate it, though.
Not Great ... Not Bad
272. The Great Evans Gambit Debate By Rohde
Thinker's Press had to cash in on the Evans success too.
This little book (86 Pages) does have a lot of good analysis.
It is sort of a summary of the Rohde and Harding books by a Grandmaster. Flaws in previous authors' analysis and improvements are pointed out.
Short But Sweet
273. Play The Evans Gambit By Harding And Cafferty
If you can only get one book on the Evans, this is the one to get.
Every variation is covered.
Very Well Researched ... Again, They Did Their Homework
Copyright 1997
RECOMMENDED TO EVANS GAMBITEERS
274. Evans Gambit And A System Versus Two Knights' Defense
Revised 2nd Edition By Harding
A repertoire book (from white's perspective) with the Evans.
Chapter 1 Kasparov Plays The Evans ... A good look at those games
Chapter 2 A Reply To Richard Moody ... The debate rages on
Then, games with analysis (and lots of it) are included to set up a repertoire.
For those curious, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 !? is advocated against the Two Knights.
Pretty Good
275. The Two Knights Defence By Yakov Estrin
Copyright 1983 / 139 Pages / Master Level
ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE OPENING MANUALS
After 25 years, much of the analysis still holds.
The variations are a real joy to play through.
Estrin was a Correspondence World Champion !!!
Quite possibly, one of the best opening books ever.
Be warned it is just analysis ... no games.
Buy a copy, and play through the variations.
Everything is here from the Fried Liver to the Wilkes-Barre.
Studying the Two Knights can also improve your tactics.
It did for me.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
276. The Two Knights Defence By Beliavsky And Mikhalchishin
112 Pages / 1999
18 annotated games followed by 45 skimpy pages of analysis.
The Max Lange and 4.d4 exd4 5. e5 aren't even covered in the analysis section. There may be a game with them.
Pages 100-112 are the best part of the book (analyses of the Wilkes-Barre)
Good Opening / So So Book
277. The Real American Wilkes-Barre By Williams
58 Pages of original analysis (and test positions) devoted to this exciting variation. This was written in 1979 and not checked by a computer. The analysis may not hold but it really is a joy to play through.
RECOMMENDED
278. The Traxler Counter-Attack By Estrin
Estrin takes a look at the Wilkes-Barre.
100 pages of good and fun analysis from 1977.
Above may be better/more fun though.
279. Practical Play Of The Max Lange By Koltanowski
51 jam packed pages on the Max Lange.
The book is composed of 52 Koltanowski games (mostly from simuls) with the variation. There is some text and analysis in the games.
Dated ... Not Really Necessary ... But I Like It
Now we come to the Petroff. If I'm not mistaken, I think I sorted my opening books the way the openings are sorted in MCO. 🙂
280. A Complete Defense To 1.P-K4
A Study Of Petroff's Defence
Second Edition By Cafferty and Hooper
Copyright 1979 / 148 Pages
It actually wasn't long ago that I bought this and A Complete Defense To 1.d4 (by the same authors).
I actually like the idea of this book. They give many lines of the Petroff for you to look at. Many choices are given for the black player looking to a defense to 1.e4. Even the obscure lines like 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 !? are covered. Behind each chapter's analyis are a few lightly annotated games.
The Cochrane, 3.Nc3, 3.d3, The Bishop's Opening, and the Philidor ( a transposition for black) are all looked at.
Even the Four Knights (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 ! ... I like it better than 3. ... Bb4, myself), Vienna, and Center Game are looked at.
Then comes the last Petroff dodger, the King's Gambit.
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 Be7 and 3. ... d5 are both looked at for black.
Also 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nf6 !? has a little analysis. This really is a rare bird (Latvian Gambit with the move) but I have tried it once with black at this site and did get an alright game.
This isn't a "here is the latest GM practice 20 moves deep" opening book.
This is a nice solid look at the Petroff with good practical suggestions.
AGED BUT VERY GOOD
281. Winning With The Petroff By Karpov
114 Pages (Very Skimpy Book) Copyright 1993
25 Games with the analysis inside them.
The games are really great, played by the world's top players.
Karpov could have done much better though.
282. The Petroff By Janjgava
Pages and pages of analysis of The Petroff.
Just about every sideline is covered.
2001 240 Pages
Some text in the analysis
A must for Petroff devotees
283. Petroff Defense Cochrane Gambit By Lutes
I don't really consider Lutes a writer of opening manuals.
I consider him more of a researcher/historian.
His books are one of a kind and generally very well done.
My favorite, The Tennison Gambit, will be covered later.
Other books by Lutes The Danish Gambit, The Cunningham (King's Gambit) Defense, Scandinavian Anderssen Counter Attack (early e5), and Sicilian O'Kelly Variation. This may not be all but these are the ones I remember. (I have 3 of them.)
In the front, there is a history of the Petroff.
The book is 223 Pages with references to every source imaginable.
Columns and Columns Of Analysis Including Obsolete/Refuted Lines
This is more for the collector/historian than the casual Petroff fan.
GREAT BOOK
284. The Vienna Game And Gambit
Revised 2nd Edition by Santasiere And Smith
1992 191 Pages
119 Pages are devoted to analysis.
It's not jam packed but some good lines are here.
There is no mention of g3 anywhere.
Pages 120-191 are games from Weaver Adams and Santasiere all the way to Short and Karpov.
Good Not Great
285. Vienna Game By Lane
Games with analysis inside.
2000 144 Pages/ 77 Games
Every variation is covered.
286. The Frankenstein-Dracula Variation In The Vienna Game By Schiller
Many games ... the analysis is hard to follow ... I got more confused trying to use this book ... rather than learn something, I forgot what line I was looking up LOL
Not Good
287. Scotch Opening 1 Scotch Game By Swift And Pickett
$1 book from Chess Digest
Very small book ... slim too (71 pages) / 1976
A lot of variations are covered. I revised mine with MCO. I do that with a lot of books. I revise some books with all other books. My Estrin books has pages and pages of extra stuff. I find the best way, for anyone else who does this, is just to put a number where the revision goes. Then get a little index card and write that number on it with the new analysis. That is much easier than wading through columns and columns or red ink, which I have done in the past.
Pretty Good ... Definetely worth more than $1 ... Not Necessary Though
288. 4. ... Qh4 In The Scotch Game By Gutman
An extremely well researched book.
Pages and pages of old and brand new analysis are included.
Most player won't play the "silly looking" Qh4 move.
It really isn't that bad, if followed up correctly.
I used a line in this book to get a very easy draw against a 2000 plus player. We followed 30+ moves of analysis (I had Gutman's analysis, he didn't) to reach a dead drawn bishops of opposite ending.
VERY WELL DONE
289. How To Play The Scotch Gambit By Schiller
From now on, if I have something good to say about a Schiller book, I will type it here. If I think it's a typical, so so Schiller book, I will just type Schiller on this line and move on.
Schiller
290. The Goring Gambit By Levy
26 Pages of excellent analysis
A great little opening pamplet, back in its day.
TOO DATED NOW
291. The Goring Gambit 1976 By Chess Digest
$1 book
I revised this with a modern copy of MCO.
Surprisingly, much of the analysis is still the main line.
I think that's because not many players play this anymore.
The big problem for white is an early d5, not the gambit accepted.
Sir and I played a game at this site that shows how bad white's game is.
I saw some better moves for him but wasn't allowed to deviate from the forcing line myself.
The position that we reached may not be a loss for white, but it is certainly not what the Goring gambiteer wants to play.
292. The Goring Gambit By Cimmino
Informant style/textless analysis.
A lot of variations are covered.
I have a problem with the variation not the book.
293. Danish Gambit By Lutes
See Also My Petroff Cochrane Review
Very Thorough Well Researched Book
Tons of references ... many many variations
Again I'd say more for the historian but books on this are very rare.
Be warned an early d5 works against this too.
Great Book
294. New Ideas In The Four Knights By Nunn
A modern day GM takes the time to look at a rare opening.
The analysis is outstanding (particulary his look at the Belgrade Gambit).
Mostly, if not all, games
GREAT BOOK
295. The Belgrade Gambit By Bruce Monson
1997 215 Pages
Every variation of the Belgrade is looked at in great detail.
The author has a real love for the variation and it shows.
In the front is a history of the gambit and its creator.
Much original analysis
The games/analysis is really exciting to play through.
Only book I've seen from this publisher
Whole games with tons of analysis
Test games with the author vs various programs also included.
There have been some reviews that question the strength of the author's analysis (National Master). In truth, I bet some of the analysis doesn't hold. It is still a joy to have, and ONE OF MY FAVORITE OPENING MANUALS.
Look for Silman's review online for some of the flaws.
Also, my siege game with English Tal saw me follow "theory" right into a loss. There are many !? suggestions to deviate though.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
That's it for a while.
When I return, more on the Belgrade/Latvian/Elephant Gambits !!!
Originally posted by passedpawn22I'm not all that computer literate. Basically, I just bought a computer and messed around with it. I do need a job though. You set it up and I will work for you. 🙂
Actually, these reviews are interesting. Maybe you should should start your own little website and put these reviews on there, it could be a great tool for people trying to learn! It's hard to find good reviews on chess books, especially this kind of variety.