Are you tired of constantly following the same old opening moves? Fed up with always having to keep up with modern chess theory? Or perhaps you simply wish to try something new and exciting, but cannot decide between the numerous choices available? We have the answer!
In this book, John Emms, Chris Ward and Richard Palliser team up to examine one of the most popular and respected openings at all levels of chess: the Nimzo-Indian. Instead of pursuing the well-trodden paths, they choose an original approach, concentrating on fresh or little-explored variations of the Nimzo, and selecting a wealth of ‘dangerous’ options for both colours. Whether playing White or Black, a study of this book will leave you confident and fully-armed, and your opponents running for cover!
Dangerous Weapons is a brand-new series of opening books which supply the reader with an abundance of hard-hitting ideas to revitalize his or her opening repertoire. Many of the carefully chosen weapons are innovative, visually shocking, incredibly tricky, or have been unfairly discarded; they are guaranteed to throw even your most experienced opponent off balance.
Review On Oct 29, 2006by Robert A. Karch of Tacoma, WA
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In a previous issue of KING'S KORNER, March-April 2006) I reviewed "Play the Nimzo-Indian" by IM Edward Dearing. That book was geared for the Black side, extolling the virtues of this solid and reliable defense. Now comes along "Dangerous Weapons," aimed at both sides! Who to believe? I will compare the opinions of both books in some places.
In the Preface, Dangerous claims to be part of a new series in major openings "to concentrate on variations that are ambitious, sharp, innovative, disruptive, tricky, enjoyable to analyze; ones not already weighed down by mountains of theory, and ones unfairly ignored or discredited." Intent is "to present a considerable number of fresh, hard-hitting opening weapons for both White and Black."
My earlier review contained a serious typo. In Chapter 1, the Romanishin Classical, I omitted the key move 4. Qc2, however the diagram shown was correct after 4... 5. cxd5 Qxd5 as recommended by IM Dearing. "Dangerous" focuses mainly on 4...0-0, with various aggressive new lines suggested as favorable for White. 4...Qxd5 is not covered.
Chapter 7 in Dangerous shifts attention to 4.e3, the historically popular Rubinstein line. IM Dearing favors 4...b6, and after 5.Nge2 c5!? "is highly provocative and gives rise to intensely volatile positions." "Dangerous" recommends the immediate 4...c5 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nge2 cxd4 7.exd4 d5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.a3!? Both books discuss the ramifications of ...c5. From here on, I will review "Dangerous" only.
If Black does not play an early ...d5, White may himself decide to occupy the d5-square. Kingside castling is often delayed while both sides fight for control in the center. There are middlegame tactical shots and traps to be avoided (on both sides). Good discussion on the placement of the bishops; the knights seem not to matter so much in this variation, or perhaps the knight moves are "obvious" (at the GM level).
A short chapter introduces the Vitolinsh (1988): 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Ne2 b5 offering a pawn to unbalance the position.
Then there is the Milov Gambit 4.Nf3 b6 5.Bg5 Bb7 6.Nd2 h6 7.Bh4 c5 8.d5 in which White prepares to advance the pawn to e4 without the stutter-step e3 (Kasparov's idea). This line is deeply analyzed by GM Ward and would make a useful reference for the cc or email player.
The authors don't really collaborate as a team, but apparently each has his own chapters for discussion of concepts and analysis of moves. I found GM Ward to be the most useful. However, other readers may prefer the other author. If you play the Nimzo, you will almost certainly need this book in self-defense!
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