What to do when white avoids the Ruy Lopez.

Contents: Contents 004 Symbols 005 Bibliography 006 Introduction 008 1 Rare Second Moves for White 012 2 The Centre Game and the Danish Gambit 017 3 The Vienna Game (and the Bishop's Opening) 036 4 The King's Gambit: Introduction and Rare 3rd Moves for White 045 5 The King's Gambit: The Bishop's Gambit 056 6 The King's Gambit: The Knight's Gambit 079 7 2.Sf3 Sc6: Rare Third Moves for White 081 8 The Ponuiani Opening 091 9 The Göring Gambit 099 10 The Scotch Gambit 121 11 The Belgrade Gambit 127 12 The Scotch Four Knights Game 142 13 The Spanish Four Knights Game 159 14 The Two Knights Defence: Introduction 174 15 The Two Knights Defence: 4.d4 exd4 Introduction 190 16 The Two Knights Defence: 4.d4 exd4 5.0-0 Sxe4 198 17 The Two Knights Defence: The Max Lange Attack 207 18 The Two Knights Defence: 4.Sg5 221 Index of Variations

Catalogue text: A detailed guide, from Black's viewpoint, to facing such openings as the King's Gambit, Vienna, Scotch, Four Knights, Italian Game, Bishop's Opening and the variety of oddball gambits White can try. This book fills a gaping chasm in chess literature. For years, those who wish to take on the black side of the Ruy Lopez have had to muddle their way through against the variety of alternative openings at White's disposal, as there have been no good books to assist them. Grandmaster John Emms is ideally qualified to deal with this subject. Not only does he face these openings as Black, but he also used to play many of them as White before he graduated to the Lopez. He provides no-nonsense answers to such openings as the King's Gambit, Vienna, Scotch, Four Knights, Italian Game, Bishop's Opening and the variety of oddball gambits White can try. Review(s): Play the Open Games as Black by John Emms is a typically solid and professional offering from this author. Two lines are suggested against each unusual 1.e4 system, usually one equalising line and one riskier continuation. Apart from the fact that the Two Knights section seems rather short and superficial considering its theoretical importance, there are no other weak points. Recommended. Matthew Sadler, New in Chess Magazine 2/2000