By Jovanka Houska, 320pp. (Everyman Chess 2009)

Read an excerpt here

In recent years the Scandinavian has been catapulted into the limelight, and it has now firmly established itself as an opening to be reckoned with. Why has it become popular? Because it's easy to play!

In the majority of lines Black relies upon the same system of development. Also there's still relatively little theory when compared to mainline defences to 1 e4. One further attraction is that it can lead to both tactical and positional play - there is something to suit all styles of player.Opening expert Jovanka Houska has successfully played both sides of the Scandinavian, and in this book she reveals everything you need to know, whether you are playing it as Black or facing it with White.

The Everyman Chess Starting Out series has firmly established itself as the leading guide to studying openings for up-and-coming players. These books are distinguished by their easy-to-read layout, the lucid explanations of the fundamentals, and the abundance of notes, tips and warnings to help the reader absorb vital ideas. Starting Out opening books are ideal for enthusiastic chess players who have little experience of the openings in question and who wish to appreciate the essential principles behind them.

In 2006 Jovanka Houska won the English Chess Federation Player of the Year award, the first time a female chess player had received this prestigious recognition. Highlights of her career so far include winning the European Girls Junior Championship, representing the English team at numerous Chess Olympiads and qualifying for the 2006 Women's World Championship. Her first book for Everyman Chess, Play the Caro-Kann, was very well received by both reviewers and the chess public.

Index of variations:

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5
1 Introduction to 2...Qxd5
2 The Main Line: Shirov’s 8 Nd5
3 Qe2 and Ne4 Lines
4 Ne5 Lines
5 Modern Move Orders
6 Fourth Move Alternatives for White
7 3...Qd6: Introduction and Main Lines
8 3...Qd6: Sixth Move Alternatives
9 3...Qd6: Fifth Move Alternatives
10 Third Move Alternatives

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6

11 Introduction to 2...Nf6
12 The Fianchetto Variation
13 The 4...Bg4 Variation
14 The Portuguese Variation
15 3 c4 and 3 Bb5+
16 Unusual Lines