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Rating: 
Summary: Good work!
Review: The author begins this book with a discussion of the strategic ideas associated with the Dutch defense then shows a mix of older games and more recent games. Each strategic idea is supported by several games with annotations discussing that key strategic idea. One nice aspect of this book is that Simon Williams shows what can happen when Black goes wrong - some from his own games. The author discusses typical ideas that both sides are likely to want to execute in clear language: perhaps this is one of the benefits of the Dutch defense, it lends itself to clear strategic themes. One draw back so far is that many of the games are abbreviated. While this is ok for me, I know some people like having complete games to review. This is not to say the author doesn't include full games, but they are fewer in number than other titles offer. For folks that include the French in your opening repertoire this is an excellent book. The author shows numerous games beginning with 1...e6 to avoid anti-Dutch lines. For those that play the Nimzo Indian, you will recognize many of the themes discussed as well.
Rating:
Summary: Play the Classical Dutch Delivers
Review: This work by Simon Williams is one of the better opening manuals I've seen. The buyers of most opening books are class players who do not have either the time or the need to go through a book jammed packed with variation analysis trees. Williams seems to understand this, and while his book does of course have variation analysis, it is not very cumbersome and is quite easy to go through. Most importantly, in each variation, Williams often explains the key ideas and moves clearly. That said, if you ARE looking for a very detailed book full of analysis trees, this is not the book for you. For the curious folk, here are the chapters of this book:
1. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...a5
2. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...Qe8
3. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...Ne4!
4. Ilyin-Zhenevsky System: Deviations for White
5. Classical Dutch with ...Bb4(+): White Avoids Fianchettoing
6. Classical Dutch with ...Bb4(+): White Fianchettoes
7. Alekhine's Variation: 6...Ne4!?
8. The Staunton and Other Gambits after 1. d4 f5
9. Early Deviations for White after 1. d4 f5
10. White Avoids d4 - the English Set-Up
11. 1. Nf3 Without c4 or d4, Including the Lisitsyn Gambit
12. Other Lines
Followed by an index of variations Basically, this book is a short but informative read at 128 pages, and it should leave you prepared to begin playing the Classical Dutch with confidence.
Rating:
Summary: Play the Classical Dutch Delivers
Review: This work by Simon Williams is one of the better opening manuals I've seen. The buyers of most opening books are class players who do not have either the time or the need to go through a book jammed packed with variation analysis trees. Williams seems to understand this, and while his book does of course have variation analysis, it is not very cumbersome and is quite easy to go through. Most importantly, in each variation, Williams often explains the key ideas and moves clearly. That said, if you ARE looking for a very detailed book full of analysis trees, this is not the book for you. For the curious folk, here are the chapters of this book:
1. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...a5
2. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...Qe8
3. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...Ne4!
4. Ilyin-Zhenevsky System: Deviations for White
5. Classical Dutch with ...Bb4(+): White Avoids Fianchettoing
6. Classical Dutch with ...Bb4(+): White Fianchettoes
7. Alekhine's Variation: 6...Ne4!?
8. The Staunton and Other Gambits after 1. d4 f5
9. Early Deviations for White after 1. d4 f5
10. White Avoids d4 - the English Set-Up
11. 1. Nf3 Without c4 or d4, Including the Lisitsyn Gambit
12. Other Lines
Followed by an index of variations Basically, this book is a short but informative read at 128 pages, and it should leave you prepared to begin playing the Classical Dutch with confidence.
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