Grandmaster Repertoire 11 - Beating 1.d4 Sidelines (hardcover) by Boris Avrukh

Most players are comfortable using their favourite defence against 1.d4 followed by c2-c4, but it is not always easy to find an antidote to the many sidelines at White’s disposal. From the bodacious Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, to the villainous Veresov, to fiendish fianchetto systems to the treacherous Trompowsky, Black must be ready to meet a whole array of slippery systems, each bringing its own unique dangers and challenges.

Grandmaster Repertoire 11 – Beating 1.d4 Sidelines provides a sound and active repertoire against virtually every non-standard opening line at White’s disposal after both 1.d4 d5 and 1.d4 Nf6. Where applicable, Avrukh covers each white system after both 2...e6 and 2...g6, making this book suitable for fans of the Nimzo-Indian, King’s Indian and Grünfeld defences alike.

Boris Avrukh is a grandmaster from Israel. He is an Olympiad gold medalist, former World Junior Champion and analysis partner of World Championship finalists.

ISBN: 978-1-907982-13-2 - 504 pages - Published 9 November 2012

Reviews

"Like his groundbreaking two volume works on 1.d4 and the Grunfeld, Avrukh's latest effort combines meticulous research, a large amount of analytical work, plus skill at breaking down the complicated into the understandable for the non-professional.

Beating 1.d4 Sidelines offers complete repertoires for those who meet 1.d4 with 1...d5, 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 and 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6. Each one of these repertoires deals in depth with answers to systems like the Trompowsky, Torre Attack, Colle, Colle-Zukertort (the Colle with a queenside fianchetto), London System and the Barry (1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3) which are the bread and butter of players from the club level to Grandmasters.

Highly recommended for all players rated 1800 on up."

IM John Donaldson, Chess Today

"In general Avrukh strikes a good balance between making the best use of Black's resources, while also respecting the nuances in White's lines... There is thorough coverage of many common and dangerous lines."

GM Luke McShane, New In Chess

"Readers who have already seen Avrukh's two books on 1.d4 (written from White's perspective) will know what to expect and they won't be disappointed; this new book contains his usual excellent combination of analysis and prose explanations...

Black is provided with plenty of ammunition to declare war on the d4 systems and, armed with Avrukh's weapons, 2.Nf3, 2.Bg5 et al may become welcome sights over the board, rather than openings one would wish to avoid. Highly recommended!"

Sean Marsh, CHESS magazine