Preface to the 2nd, revised edition
This is the second, updated and fully revised edition of Chess Openings for Black, Explained. This new edition incorporates literally hundreds of changes, reflecting all relevant opening novelties and the authors' ongoing research in the three and a half years since the publication of the first edition. The vast majority of the recommendations in the 2005 edition fully stood the test of time. The few that didn't have been improved or replaced in this 2009 work. What's more, we give you a number of interesting alternatives not discussed in earlier editions.
Here are just some major examples: In the Accelerated Dragon, we make some important corrections regarding the move 7. f3 (p. 61). Also, after 9. 0-0 (p. 64), we discuss White's recent successes in the 9. ... d6 10. Ndb5 line - and two promising alternatives for Black to 9. ... d6. In "Defending against 4. Qxd4" (p. 110), we introduce a new, more promising line for Black. We fine-tune a number of our recommendations against the Maroczy Bind. We take note of White's improvements in the Alapin (p. 223) - and ways to counter it. We discuss how to play after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 against rare (but tricky) third moves, such as 3. g3 and 3. a3. And there are many more updates!
You'll be able to read this book without squinting, without flipping pages back and forth to find the relevant diagram, and without trying to keep a 12-move variation in your head. More than 1,400 diagrams allow you to follow the action, even without a board and set. And whenever possible, we make sure that diagrams on a page-spread relate to the moves on that spread, reducing the need for back-and-forth page-turning. Moreover, we use color to emphasize important points and to give your eyes some variety. Importantly, we employ proven instructional techniques - such as forecasting important ideas in a chapter and ending each chapter with brief "memory markers" - to make following along and learning easier and more fun.
Look for blue diagrams and blue boxes that call your attention to the most important positions and most interesting ideas. This highlighted information will be especially worth revisiting and, sometimes, even committing to memory. The most important, or "main" lines are clearly set off in bold type. Diagrams related to main lines are larger than analysis and side-line diagrams, which are clearly labeled "ANALYSIS."
Every chess player needs a set of openings he can trust. Chess Openings for Black, Explained gives you a complete repertoire of carefully selected, interrelated openings - everything you need to know to defend with confidence against each and every one of White's first moves. Plus you get a quick but informative review of every opening from Black's point of view, even the ones not part of the book's repertoire.
007 Part I: Introduction
008 Chapter 1 : The Authors and the Book
014 Chapter 2: How to Use This Book
016 Chapter 3 : How to Study Openings
021 Part II: Defending against 1. e4
022 Chapter 4: Connecting to the Whole History of 1. e4
056 The Accelerated (and Hyper-Accelerated) Dragon
056 Chapter 5: Introduction and Main Line
086 Chapter 6: Seventh-move Sidelines
096 Chapter 7: Sixth-move Sidelines
110 Chapter 8: Defending Against 4. Qxd4
124 Chapter 9: Third-move Sidelines
136 The Maroczy Bind
136 Chapter 10: Introduction and 7. Be3
142 Chapter 11: 7. Be2 with Be3 and Qd2
162 Chapter 12: 7. Be2 with Bg5 and Qd2
170 Chapter 13: 7. Be2 with 0-0 and Qd3 (or Qe3)
178 Chapter 14: 7. f3
184 Chapter 15: 7. Nc2
192 The Anti-Sicilians
192 Chapter 16: The Closed Sicilian
204 Chapter 17: Grand Prix Attack
018 Chapter 18: The Alapin Variation and Smith-Morra Gambit
230 Chapter 19: Wing Gambit and 2. b3
239 Part III: Defending against 1. d4
240 Chapter 20: The Development of the Closed Openings
258 Nimzo-Indian Defense
258 Chapter 21 : Introduction and 4. a3
270 Chapter 22: 4. Qc2
282 Chapter 23: 4. e3 and 5. Bd3
298 Chapter 24: 4. e3 and 5. Ne2
306 Chapter 25: 4. f3
312 Chapter 26: 4. g3
320 Chapter 27: 4. Bg5, the Leningrad System
330 Chapter 28: 4. Qb3
334 Chapter 29: 4. Bd2
338 Bogo-Indian
338 Chapter 30: Introduction and 4. Bd2 with 6. Bg2
354 Chapter 31 : with 4. Bd2 and 6. Nc3
364 Chapter 32: with 4. Nbd2
370 1. d4 without an early c4
370 Chapter 33: Torre Attack, 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5
380 Chapter 34: London System, 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4
386 Chapter 35: Fianchetto, 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3
394 Chapter 36: Colle System, 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3
402 Chapter 37: Veresov Opening, 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5
410 Chapter 38: The Trompowsky, 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5
422 Chapter 39: Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. e4
429 Part IV: Defending against 1. c4 and other first moves
430 Chapter 40: English, Part I - Introduction and Symmetrical English
438 Chapter 41: English, Part II - White Plays e3 and d4
448 Chapter 42: English, Part III - White Refrains from d4
466 Chapter 43: Bird's Opening, 1. f4
474 Chapter 44: Sokolsky, 1. b4
480 Chapter 45: The Rest - Knights-First and the Fianchettoes
489 Part V: Illustrative Games
490 Chapter 46: Illustrative Games - Ideas into Action
538 Conclusion
539 Table of Main Lines | 
