Customer Reviews

Chess Explained: The Meran Semi-Slav

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Vera covers the Semi-Slav (1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6) from White's point of view after 5. e3. Especially the Meran variation (5...Nbd7 6. Bd3 d×c4 7. B×c4 b5) is covered in chapters 1 to 4 (without black deviations on the sixth move) but also modern Anti-Meran systems after 5...Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 in chapters 5 and 6 got analysed (incl. the Shirov-Shabalov-Attack). In addition chapter 7 covers 5...a6. A very nice chapter is chapter 8 where Vera discusses several move order problems.

Analysis looks honest to me and although it's not an encyclopaedic work all important ideas are explained sufficiently. I can recommend this book for everyone you want to learn the Meran (like me who want to understand the queen's pawn openings).

Have fun

Ulrich (FIDE master)

Up to now I have deferred from rating chess books. This book is so good I feel it unjust to the author not to rate it.

I find most chess bookks usually get 5 star ratings when I would give them three or sometimes less. I point this out to let you know this book truly stands out. I'm only rated in the 1400's so if your in that grade consider getting this book. The book is in the Chess Explained series and the author hits his target audience head on. You can read just a chapter and feel comfortable playing this variation as black.