A Gambit re-issue of a classic work on chess defence.

Many books discuss how to attack in chess, but good, resourceful defensive play is also a vital ingredient in competitive success. However, this is an area largely neglected in the literature of the game.

This book fills the gap admirably, by explaining the basics of defending against direct offensives, and taking an in-depth look at how the all-time greats have fended off their opponents' attacks.

Following a survey of general defensive methods in chess, Dr. Crouch investigates the defensive techniques of World Champions Emanuel Lasker and Tigran Petrosian. Despite their vastly different styles, Lasker and Petrosian were both highly effective defenders. Lasker would place myriad practical obstacles in the opponent's way, and was a master of the counterattack. Petrosian developed Nimzowitsch's theories of prophylaxis to a new level. His opponents would find that 'somehow' their attacking chances had been nullified long before they could become reality.

Content:
5 Symbols

6 Preface

8 Principles of Defence

8 The Steinitz Legacy

15 Prophylaxis

18 The Geography of the Chessboard

21 Lasker as Defender

21 L1 Lasker-Pillsbury, Hastings 1895

26 L2 Chigorin-Lasker, St Petersburg 1895/6

35 2.1 Chigorin-Lasker, St Petersburg 1895/6

36 2.2 Steinitz-Lasker, Moscow Wch (3) 1896

37 2.3 Schlechter-Lasker, London 1899

37 L3 Steinitz-Lasker, Nuremberg 1896

43 L4 Lasker-Napier, Cambridge Springs 1904

55 L5 Schlechter-Lasker, Berlin Wch (7) 1910

69 L6 Nimzowitsch-Lasker, St Petersburg 1914

77 6.1 Fischer-Petrosian, Buenos Aires Ct (3) 1971

78 L7 Capablanca-Lasker, St Petersburg 1914

86 L8 Alekhine-Lasker, New York 1924

92 L9 Euwe-Lasker, Zurich 1934

101 9.1 Lasker-Capablanca, Havana Wch (10) 1921

102 9.2 Capablanca-Lasker, Havana Wch (11) 1921

103 9.3 Alekhine-Lasker, Zurich 1934

104 L10 Spielmann-Lasker, Moscow 1935

112 10.1 Kan-Lasker, Moscow 1935

114 10.2 Alekhine-Lasker, Moscow (exhibition game) 1914

114 10.3 Fischer-Petrosian, Buenos Aires Ct (7) 1971

117 Petrosian as Defender

117 P1 Petrosian-Smyslov, USSR Ch (Moscow) 1951

127 1.1 Veselovsky-Kudishevich, USSR 1969

127 1.2 Geller-Unzicker, Saltsjöbaden IZ 1952

128 P2 Reshevsky-Petrosian, Zurich/Neuhausen Ct 1953

134 2.1 Geller-Euwe, Zurich/Neuhausen Ct 1953

136 2.2 Taimanov-Petrosian, Zurich/Neuhausen Ct 1953

137 2.3 Smyslov-Petrosian, Zurich/Neuhausen Ct 1953

138 P3 Dückstein-Petrosian, Varna OL 1962

148 P4 Botvinnik-Petrosian, Moscow Wch (18) 1963

160 P5 Spassky-Petrosian, Moscow Wch (5) 1966

171 5.1 Gheorghiu-Johanessen, Havana OL 1966

172 5.2 Tal-Botvinnik, USSR Cht (Moscow) 1966

172 P6 Spassky-Petrosian, Moscow Wch (7) 1966

181 P7 Fischer-Petrosian, Santa Monica 1966

190 P8 Fischer-Petrosian, Buenos Aires Ct (5) 1971

197 8.1 Fischer-Gheorghiu, Buenos Aires 1970

198 8.2 Bronstein-Smyslov, USSR Ch (Leningrad) 1971

199 8.3 Tal-Smyslov, USSR Ch (Leningrad) 1971

200 8.4 Hübner-Petrosian, Seville Ct (7) 1971

201 P9 Tal-Petrosian, USSR Ch (Erevan) 1975

211 9.1 Karpov-Petrosian, Milan 1975

212 9.2 Kasparov-Petrosian, Banja Luka 1979

212 P10 Kasparov-Petrosian, Tilburg 1981

221 Index of Openings

222 Index of Players

223 Index of Games