Rakhmanov's Secrets of Opening Preparation

The character of any player is reflected in their game. It also applies to choosing their openings. Therefore, for you to better understand what I’m going to explain in this book, I should describe my style. I play simple positional chess and like to play the endgame. I don’t look for complications for the sake of complications, but if the position requires sacrifices based on the situation on the board, then I will do so without hesitation. I like to control the course of actions; therefore, I would prefer to play with the initiative without a pawn than vice-versa. In general, giving the opponent dynamics is a bad idea.

In most cases, my game is built on pawn structures. I adore positions with weaknesses, doubled pawns, and a better arrangement of pieces. I prefer to play short opening variations with a fixed pawn structure and positions with an open center. In preparing the lines, I use the engine. But I consider it very important to study the games of strong chess players. Of these, typical ideas and maneuvers can be memorized; this is easier for a human than memorizing lines.

I decided to write about something that I would be interested to learn myself. In
this book

• I show what preparation for a game by a 2650 player looks like. In chess, we only see the game on the stage, and can only guess at what is hidden behind the scenes. Top players can't reveal this, nor can their seconds, so I decided – who, if not me?
• I show my preparation for games, accompanied by analyses that I consider enough to apply the opening line.
• I show how I outplay opponents, not with powerful opening preparation, but by leading them into positions that are pleasant for me or unpleasant for them.
• I explain things that many players do not pay attention to in terms of opening preparation and preparation for an opponent.

Aleksandr Rakhmanov was born on 28 August 1989 in Cherepovets, Russia, and started to play chess at the age of seven.

He became an IM in 2006, a GM in 2007 and a FIDE trainer in 2020. His current rating is 2651. His peak ratings are 2676 (classical), 2721 (rapid) and 2704 (blitz).

In 2007 he won a hat-trick of bronze medals at the Russian, European and World U-18 championships. In 2017 he took 21 st place in the World Rapid Championship in Riyadh and in 2019 won gold medal on 3 rd board in the European Club Cup in Montenegro, took 18 th place in the FIDE Grand Swiss, probably the strongest chess open ever, and participated in the World Cup. As a chess tourist Aleksandr likes to travel, has visited about fifty countries around the world and has won many international tournaments.

• Casa editrice Thinkers Publishing
• Code 7698
• Anno 2021
• Pagine 360
• Isbn 9789464201277