MASTERING THE NAJDORF (Julen Arizmendi & Javier
Moreno)
224 pages (210 mm by 145
mm).
£15.99/$27.50/€24,95
The Najdorf is the most popular line of the Sicilian
Defence for a very good reason: Black can play for a win without taking undue
risks. The Najdorf's fundamental soundness has been confirmed in countless
top-level games, and in particular by Garry Kasparov's successful use of it
throughout his career. White has tried a wide variety of approaches against the
Najdorf, including quiet positional lines and the traditional main line with 6
Bg5. Recently the idea of a rapid kingside pawn advance has found favour. The
Najdorf's landscape changes rapidly, and this presents its devotees with a
complex task: they must not only keep up-to-date with sharp theoretical lines,
but must also have a firm grasp of the strategies that underpin the main
systems, both old and new. This book lends a helping hand to those who play the
Najdorf or wish to take up this complex opening. Two Najdorf experts from Spain
present a flexible repertoire for Black, including a wealth of original
analysis of the critical variations. They also explain the key ideas behind the
Najdorf, focusing on those plans that are most relevant to modern practice.
Julen Arizmendi is a Spanish international master
with two grandmaster norms. He is an experienced writer, and part of
Jaque and Teoría's editorial staff. He represented his
country at the 2002 Olympiad. Javier Moreno is a grandmaster from Spain
who has worked with Anand and Shirov, and was a member of the Spanish Olympiad
team in 2000. He has contributed to the magazines Jaque and
Gambito.
Download a pdf file with a
sample from the book.
"For every hard-to-please Najdorf player, this book is
highly recommended." - Schachmarkt
"Having played both sides of the variation, it is
interesting, at the very least, to check one's own analysis against the current
state of affairs for the top grandmasters. I was very pleasantly surprised with
the outcome of my review and have no hesitation in recommending this book to
any player of at least 1600 in strength. ... a true gem in the cluttered field
of opening works." - Lou Mercuri, Chess Horizons
"The authors have clearly worked tirelessly to produce a
sensible and intellectually accessible repertoire within the context of an
exacting and highly theoretical opening system (not an easy task, I can assure
you!). In achieving this end the authors strike a pleasing balance between
theoretical and explanatory content..... A truly excellent book. ... To my
mind, the real test of a great opening book is whether the reader can study a
few chapters without getting bored, and then come out the other side with a
definite desire to play the opening themselves. In my opinion, the authors pass
with flying colours. Five stars." - Eddie Dearing, Weekend Chess
"If you are interested in taking up the Najdorf, I highly
recommend this book if you are looking for a good reference that will let you
learn the opening quickly and give you excellent winning chances to boot." -
Bill Whited, Chess Country
"Verdict: if the Najdorf is your defence, then you must have
this book. Highly recommended." - Phil Adams, 3Cs website
"All together I would like to recommend this book for all
players who like to take up the Najdorf!" - John Elburg, Chess Mail
"Mastering the Najdorf is an enjoyable work to read and
study, whilst the theoretical coverage within is excellent. For those who
already play the Najdorf, this new book does an excellent job of updating
theory and of highlighting many important new ideas, whilst for those keen to
take up one of Black's best defences, this book comes highly recommended." -
Richard Palliser
"If you have ever wanted to take up the Najdorf but thought
it was too much work this book might be just the guide you need. Recommended."
- John Donaldson
"It is almost superfluous to recommend this book, since the
Najdorf-player will get it for himself anyway." - Fernando Offermann,
Berliner Schachverband |
