Attack with Black, repertoire with Benko and Blumenfeld

Sick of defending with Black? Never found a reliable way to fight for the initiative when White plays 1 d4?

Allow Grandmaster Aveskulov to assist. He has put together a sound but ultra-aggressive repertoire based on gambits that have proved their worth in grandmaster play over many years. The Benko Gambit is dreaded by many 1 d4 players. Black gets very active piece-play, and even if White reaches a pawn-up endgame, he is often shocked to find he is worse due to Black's intense positional pressure! If White avoids the Benko, that's when we hit him with the Blumenfeld, sacrificing a pawn to set up a strong pawn-centre and attacking chances.

Aveskulov examines all of White's options and move-orders after 1 d4 Nf6, and shows an aggressive reply to each of them. He is never willing to take existing theory on faith, and throughout the book presents an extraordinary wealth of new analysis and ideas. He also explains typical plans in depth, so you will always know how to turn the screw once you have your opponent on the run.

At the age of 21, Grandmaster Valery Aveskulov won the championship of Ukraine, one of the world's strongest chess nations. He has represented his country in junior and team events, winning three medals in 2008 at the World Sports Mind Games in Beijing. He is an experienced trainer, and has acted as a second for the top-class grandmaster Alexander Moiseenko.

Content:
004 Introduction

006 Symbols

White Avoids the Benko

007 1. Diemer, Veresov and Trompowsky

022 2. Colle, Zukertort, London and Torre Systems

037 3. Anti-Benoni 4 Nc3

042 4. Blumenfeld Gambit

055 5. Blumenfeld Gambit: 5 Bg5

065 6. 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5: 3 e3 and 3 dxc5

080 7. Vaganian Gambit

092 8. Vaganian Gambit: 7 e3

The Benko Gambit

104 9. Benko Gambit Declined

120 10. Benko: Zaitsev, Dlugy and Modern Lines

137 11. Benko Gambit: 5 b6

148 12. Benko Accepted: Introduction and Rare Lines

158 13. Benko Accepted: King Walk

177 14. Benko Accepted: Fianchetto Lines

192 15. Benko Main Line with 10 Rb1

Understanding the Benko

200 16. Dream Positions for Black

207 17. Positions to Avoid

212 18. Tactical Exercises

217 Solutions

223 Index of Variations