| Chess Explained: The Queen�s Gambit Declined (Gambit Publications 2007, www.gambitbooks.com , 128 pages, paperback, figurine algebraic, $23.95) is the fourth book by New England IM James Rizzitano for Gambit and once again he has a winner. Per the Chess Explained template Rizzitano has analyzed 24 model games � this time after the sequence 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3. Openings covered include the Exchange Variation of the Queen�s Gambit Declined, the Tarrasch Defense, the Ragozin and Vienna Variations, Semi-Tarrasch, Cambridge Springs, the Lasker, Tartakover and Classical Defenses. Understandably in a book of this size the big picture is emphasized over small details but in the midst of ably explaining the basics Rizzitano offers some tasty nuggets. One example is in Khalifman�s recommendation against the Tarrasch (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bg5 cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rc1 Bf8 13.Na4 Bd7 14.Nc5 Bxc5 15.Rxc5 Qe7. Now instead of 16.Rc1 or 16.Qc1 Rizzitano proposes 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Rc2 Ne4 18.Qd4 a5 18.Rfc1 which looks like a small but enduring pull for White. The Ragozin Vienna and Semi-Tarrasch rarely get much coverage but Rizzitano does a good job of summarizing what is important. After going through Sharavdorj-Atalik, Berkeley 2005, the student will appreciate that the hard-working Turkish GM has breathed new life into the Semi-Tarrasch that Lev Polugaevsky placed in the doghouse four decades ago. Like other book in the Chess Explained series The Queen�s Gambit Declined will appeal to a wide range of players from 1800-2400. Recommended The Modern Benoni is one of Black�s most aggressive defenses to 1.d4 either as a stand alone weapon or in conjunction with the Nimzo-Indian (playing the Benoni only when White has committed his Knight to f3 blocking the f-pawn). The past decade there have been several books devoted to this opening including ones by IMs Watson, Vegh and Kinsman. Now Paraguayan IM Zenon Franco has written another book on the subject in Gambit�s Chess Explained series: The Modern Benoni (Gambit 2007, www.gambitbooks.com , 128 pages, paperback, figurine algebraic, $23.95) follows the Chess Explained structure with Franco offering 25 well annotated model games of recent vintage. He covers all the main variations (Classical, Fianchetto, Mikenas, Taimanov, Knight�s Tour, Bg5 and Bf4 and the Four Pawns Attack) Lines likes the Classical get the full treatment (�Bg4, �Na6 and �Nbd7 setups) but others like the Four Pawns see Franco opting to be more selective � after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Be2 he only examines 9�Bg4 in place of the super-theoretical 9�Re8, 9�b5 or 9�Nbd7 � though he does cover lines with Nd2 and f4 which could also arise from the Classical. The Modern Benoni is required reading for players rated 1800-2400 interested in playing this aggressive defense. Recommended |