The Catalan

Rating:
Summary: Dense but patchy
Review: A fine and detailed account of the Catalan Opening, including fascinating theoretical games. The authors interpret their topic very literally, and exclude transpositions and hybrid opening lines, such as the Bogo-Indian variation that usually starts from the Catalan (...d5, Bb4+, Be7) and the Semi-Tarrasch and Semi-Slav lines with g3 by White. Given the likehihood of transpositions, there should be more explanatory prose about when they work, and ideas about middlegame and even endgame strategies, since these can be determined early. I don't like the Everyman complete-game organization much, and here its deficiencies really show. The authors' German work, which this title updates significantly with many games from the last couple of years, was organized by variation and has a detailed variation index. The reader of this new English-language book will get lost looking for variations in the thickets of transpositions that aren't indexed anywhere. That being said, the chapter-concluding summaries partly make up for the deficiency of the format by being more detailed than those in many Everyman titles. This book is essential for anyone who already plays the Catalan, but won't help newbies develop a Catalan repertoire. Dunnington's repertoire book is a much better introduction to the ideas behind the opening.

Rating:
Summary: For dedicated players seeking to play at tournament level
Review: The Catalan is one of the most favored chess openings executed by the world's top players. The collaborative effort of chess experts Alex Raetsky (Russian International Master) and Maxim Chetverik (an FIDE Master), The Catalan offers a comprehensive survey of this specialized opening, outlining the most common plans and tactics associated with the move. The Catalan is an indispensable addition to the reference shelf and reading list of any and all dedicated players seeking to play at tournament level proficiency and accomplishment.