by deFirmian & Fedorowicz, 256pp. (Batsford 2004)
Two American grandmasters provide a practical yet thorough survey of one of the hottest opening variations around today. In response to Black's ever popular Najdorf Sicilian, White plays 6 f3, which not only supports the centre e-pawn but more importantly prepares to launch a kingside pawn storm against Black's castled king, starting with g4-g5. However, Garry Kasparov, a champion of the Sicilian Defence, has shown that Black can postpone castling in favour of queenside expansion and regrouping the knight pair at b6 and d7, ready for a swift counter-punch when White castles long. But, then again, White in turn can also delay castling to keep Black guessing – in which case both kings remain in the centre! Not surprisingly tactics and sharp play abound in this most modern of chess openings, where precise knowledge of variations is vital.
