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Playing the Queen`s Gambit - 2nd hand
Schandorff Lars
2nd hand. Book Condition: Like New.
The principled way for White to build a repertoire after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 is to play the critical main lines. Take as much space as possible - no compromises.
Description
The power of the Queen`s Gambit is beyond question, even though it allows some serious defences - the Slav and Semi-Slav are favoured by the elite, Kasparov was playing the Queen`s Gambit Accepted until he retired, and the Queen`s Gambit Declined has been trusted for a century.
The principled way for White to build a repertoire after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 is to play the critical main lines. Take as much space as possible - no compromises.
That is Lars Schandorff`s attitude and so his choice is clear:
5.Bg5 against the Semi-Slav
6.Ne5 versus the 5...Bf5 main line Slav
3.e4 against the Queen`s Gambit Accepted
The Exchange Variation versus the Queen`s Gambit Declined
5.c5 against the 4...a6-Slav
The Tarrasch, Chigorin, Albin and all minor lines are also met with the same vigour - this is a complete White repertoire after 1.d4 d5 2.c4.
Lars Schandorff is a grandmaster from Denmark who is renowned on the international circuit for the depth of his opening preparation.
Preface
This book provides White with a hard-hitting repertoire against all Black`s answers to 1.d4 d5 2.c4, the Queen`s Gambit, including classics like the evergreen Queen`s Gambit Declined, the highly fashionable Slav, and the rather obscure Chigorin.
The repertoire is based entirely on big mainlines, which guarantees its reliability and strength. Firstly, you cannot expect to get anything against well-respected openings like the Queen`s Gam-it Accepted and the Semi-Slav by trying a little sideline or just by playing safe. The main lines, on the other hand, have not become main lines by chance. They have slowly but surely evolved and proved their strength over the years, so by choosing main lines you gain reliable weapons.
Secondly, the main lines are sharp and put the maximum pressure on the opponent, both theo-rically and in practice. This corresponds perfectly with the philosophy behind this work, which is that White should strive for the initiative and show that moving first matters. Developing the pieces fluidly to active squares and trying to take the centre with pawns to seize space - these are key elements in the various White set-ups presented here.
Playing White is like serving in tennis. I remember when I started to play a few years ago - tennis that is! - a good friend of mine explained that the serve should be a great offensive weapon. Actually this is quite a cruel thing to tell a beginner, because the serve is by far the most difficult stroke in tennis. But it is true of course, and the right attitude. With a good serve you either win directly or, if the opponent manages to return the ball, at least you get the chance to take the initiative and dictate the rest of the duel.
In this book I offer you an excellent first serve. And it will be an effective offensive weapon, I promise that. But every tennis player knows that it is important to have a decent second serve as well. This may also be true in chess, especially in this computer age, so having a safe alternative is a good idea. Thus, throughout the book I offer hints of where you could devote some of your farther investigations.
Enough. Let`s hit the engine and start rolling - I hope you enjoy the films, the songs and the moves.
Lars Schandorff
Denmark, January 2009