Play Anti-Indian Systems (Cadogan Chess Books)

Rating:
Summary: special book
Review: There are several excellent opening books from the early '90s published as part of the "Maxwell Macmillan Chess" series, and they are all excellent books. The format these books followed was so sensible and instructive that one wonders why other publishers have not followed it. More on that later. The overriding theme of the book is that white does not play c4 on move two; rather, he plays Nf3 and sends the queen's bishop out to g5 or f4; then, he may play c3 to secure d4, and he aims for e4. This approach is similar to the Colle against 1... d5, so Colle players definitely will want to have this book, especially since Koltanowski and others recommend a king's indian response as best against the Colle. The book has three parts: Part I examines the "Torre-Petrosian Attack," which consists of 1. d4 Nf6, 2. Nf3 e6, 3. Bg5. It is heartening to hear Varnusz explain that the young Tigran Petrosian was frustrated when facing the Nimzo- and Queen's Indian, and that he turned to the Torre Attack as a simpler, direct response thereto. If a world champ used this line, then it is good enough for me. Part II explores white's approach to a king's indian response with ...g6. Varnusz does not promise a distinct advantage with this line, just as Burgess, in his book on the Torre Attack, contends that Bg5 is not the critical response to the king's indian set-up. However, this does not mean that it is not a practically effective system. Nor does it mean that black has an edge! Again, Petrosian played this system, as have other grandmasters, including Ribli, Trifunovic, and Kasparov (vs. Martinovic, Baku, 1980). What I especially like about the chapters in Part II is that Varnusz offers you several alternate systems to the king's indian response. These include what Burgess calls "The London System" in his book, "Beating the Anti-King's Indians," as well as a finachetto approach with g3. Part III of the book recommends lines against Benoni and Benko gambit approaches. Again, the same ideas are applied, with white refraining from c4 in favor of Nf3 and Bg5. If you combine this book with Summerscales's excellent work, "A Killer Chess Opening Repertoire," you have an excellent practical approach with the white pieces. Personally, I like the London System more than the Barry Attack, as in the latter you play Nc3, blocking the c-pawn, which always feels awkward. With the London System, you have not violated any principles. With these systems, you are not playing the absolute best lines as white, as master practice has long established that 2. c4 is the best move for white. However, if you know these systems well, you will have an advantage over most of your opponents, in that you are playing on your turf instead of his. Many black players are waiting to trot out the king's indian, the Benko, the Nimzo, etc., and you are denying them the chance to use their favorite line. They should still be able to find their way, but, again, you will have dictated the course of the game, and this is an invaluable advantage at the "club" level. Do not disparage the club level. For years, I fumbled around with 2. c4 because it was supposed to be best. Invariably, though, I found myself playing against someone's pet line. Since I turned to the systems espoused by Varnusz (and Summerscale against 1... d5), my results have improved, and I have enjoyed my chess more too. Back to this book and its format. In each of the three parts, there are chapters of theory, each of which ends with several lightly annotated illustrative games. There are a total of 116 illustrative games in the book. This format is the best of both worlds for an opening book. That is, you have your dense theory, and your complete games, but without the drawback that the complete game format used by Everyman and others elimiates exploration of many sidelines. This little-known book has been a great asset to me.

Rating:
Summary: special book
Review: Varnusz is a relatively unknown but excellent writer. His book on the Caro-Kann is also great, if a little dated. This one is my favorite, though. It has a great deal of explanatory text and enthusiasm for the Torre Attack, as well as offering a white repertoire for other responses. The book is realistic (none of "Winning With..." hyperbole, but it conveys the Torre in a fascinating manner, such that you can't help but want to play it. I have bought and sold hundreds of chess books, and constantly change around the contents of my bulging shelves, but this book is always there. It is really good and a keeper. p.s. you can buy Burgess' book on the Torre too, but this one is better. The Burgess book is more up to date, so it too is essential for Torre players. But Burgess downplays the Torre against the King's Indian formation (which Varnusz does too), but Burgess doesn't really offer an alternative. Varnusz does.

Rating:
Summary: Great book on Torre Attack
Review: Varnusz is a relatively unknown but excellent writer. His book on the Caro-Kann is also great, if a little dated. This one is my favorite, though. It has a great deal of explanatory text and enthusiasm for the Torre Attack, as well as offering a white repertoire for other responses. The book is realistic (none of "Winning With..." hyperbole, but it conveys the Torre in a fascinating manner, such that you can't help but want to play it. I have bought and sold hundreds of chess books, and constantly change around the contents of my bulging shelves, but this book is always there. It is really good and a keeper. p.s. you can buy Burgess' book on the Torre too, but this one is better. The Burgess book is more up to date, so it too is essential for Torre players. But Burgess downplays the Torre against the King's Indian formation (which Varnusz does too), but Burgess doesn't really offer an alternative. Varnusz does.