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Play the Queen's Gambit
Few would disagree that the Queen's Gambit is one of the most important openings in chess. It has a long and distinguished history and has been played by virtually all the strongest Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, Anatoly Karpov, Vishy Anand--the list goes on and on! From the very beginning White develops actively, takes the initiative and strives to dominate the center. Most agree that the Queen's Gambit is White's best chance for an opening advantage after 1 d4 d5.
Despite its many advantages, some prospective Queen's Gambit players are put off by the possibility of having to learn a labyrinth of different variations. In Play the Queen's Gambit Chris Ward solves this problem by presenting the reader with a concise and workable repertoire, offering a solution against each of Black's possible defences, whether it's a critical major variation or a tricky sideline. Ward examines the tactical and strategic motifs for both players and arms the reader with enough information and self-assurance to begin playing the Queen's Gambit in his or her own games.
>Explains an opening favored by the world's elite
>Written by a renowned Queen's Gambit expert
>Covers all of Black's defences
>Ideal for club and tournament players
Despite its many advantages, some prospective Queen's Gambit players are put off by the possibility of having to learn a labyrinth of different variations. In Play the Queen's Gambit Chris Ward solves this problem by presenting the reader with a concise and workable repertoire, offering a solution against each of Black's possible defences, whether it's a critical major variation or a tricky sideline. Ward examines the tactical and strategic motifs for both players and arms the reader with enough information and self-assurance to begin playing the Queen's Gambit in his or her own games.
>Explains an opening favored by the world's elite
>Written by a renowned Queen's Gambit expert
>Covers all of Black's defences
>Ideal for club and tournament players
- GenresChess
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 4, 2015
I'm an average mid-pack player, not expert or master level, looking to expand my blitz opening lines for white beyond my polarized favorites of e4 or Nf6 with some further QG preparation. This review only encompasses the QGD portion of the book as I feel it gets played far more in the 5/0 games I frequent.
Be warned this is not a conceptual introduction to the Queen's Gambit, rather it is an exploration of aggressive lines for those who like to play the gambit as white. The QGD section is a thorough analysis of five different potentialities arising after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3... Ward's style is brisk, analysis thorough and enlightening, and the only shortcoming is the sometimes confusing sub-level notation one encounters in the analysis. This is forgivable, though, as there is no easy way to explore lines cleanly in a text format. As a bonus, the illustrative games are well-referenced and notated, often lending more clarity to the motifs and themes of each particular line.
So, if you're an intermediate player looking for some specific attacking help out of the QGD, this is worth the time investment.
Be warned this is not a conceptual introduction to the Queen's Gambit, rather it is an exploration of aggressive lines for those who like to play the gambit as white. The QGD section is a thorough analysis of five different potentialities arising after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3... Ward's style is brisk, analysis thorough and enlightening, and the only shortcoming is the sometimes confusing sub-level notation one encounters in the analysis. This is forgivable, though, as there is no easy way to explore lines cleanly in a text format. As a bonus, the illustrative games are well-referenced and notated, often lending more clarity to the motifs and themes of each particular line.
So, if you're an intermediate player looking for some specific attacking help out of the QGD, this is worth the time investment.
Displaying 1 of 1 review