The Great Evans Gambit Debate [Paperback]

Michael Rohde (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0938650750 | ISBN-13: 978-0938650751 | Publication Date: February 1997

The Evans Gambit is one of White's boldest attempts to gain the initiative through an unrelenting series of hammer blows aimed to the Black position. In the past it was considered that "Lasker's Defense" would save Black from imminent disaster and inflict its own brand of counterattack. However, new research by GM Michael Rohde has opted for a move which puts the violent assault back into White's hands. See how Rohde documents Black's attempts to stop this steamroller... And then watch how he counteracts these moves with original, brave new analysis. Concurrently he takes on theoreticians GM Chandler, Harding, Moody, and others in a spirited debate to rehabilitate White's play after World Champion Garry Kasparov was twice successful in downing several top grandmasters in just the past few years. The play is sharp, brutal and requires respect and skill.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

GM Michael Rohde lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 86 pages
• Publisher: Thinkers' Press (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938650750
• ISBN-13: 978-0938650751
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,775,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magical Evans Gambit In All Its Glory, June 8, 2008

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MusiqueWand (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Evans Gambit Debate (Paperback)

A Short History On The Evans:

The Evans-gambit is the subject of hard debate; still not too many modern players were brave enough to take the challenge of mastering it. Rhode was probably the bravest of them all! He gladly took on the challenge and read all the other books on the Evans, these include: Play the Evans Gambit by Tim Harding, The Evans Gambit Revolution by Richard Moody, Giuoco Piano by Eduard Gufeld and Oleg Stetsko, The 23, 1996 issue of Inside chess by Christensen, Books by murray chandler and others...
In Rhode's own words:
"When Kasparov crushed Anand in the Tal Memorial at Riga 1995 in their last tournament game before their 1995 World Championship Match, he sparked an amazing debate concerning the strength of the Evans Gambit, the most "romantic" of all chess openings"
Indeed the Evans was the weapon of choice for chess legends such as Morphy, Anderssen and others but with the rise of players of a more subtle approach it was regarded as "un sound". When the chess world perfected the art of defense it gave birth to players such as Steinitz, Lasker and among all others at that time, Capablanca... 1.d4 took-over for the old 1.e4 and players began to believe that in the opening stage one should just develop in comfortable manner before tactics take place. Even the adventuress Frank James Marshall was playing 1.d4 ... 1.e4 was almost tossed aside and when ever a player played it he would play the Ruy-Lopez not "giving in" to such childish openings as the Evans or King's gambit.
The Evans always remained in the shadows, lurking, waiting for the right time to strike back with full force... Now is the Time!
With this simple book, or rather a booklet Rhode reopened Pandora's Box and set free once more the true magic of chess!
New plans are given, new variation to replace with the old... old lines have been remanded, corrected and perfected. Rhode introduces the new theory of the Evans, challenging the old ideas he carefully explains why he regards some of the "taboo" lines not to be best and give others instead.
The famous "Lasker's defense" has enjoyed the reputation of being the refutation to the Evans gambit, Alas! No more! The New research by Rhode has opted for a move which puts the violent assault back into white's hands!

About the Book:

While giving many variations Rhode replaced the almost automatic response of 6.0-0 with 6.Qb3! against 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.Qb3! - putting the pressure right on the money! Obviously the analysis still considers 6.0-0 and 6.d4 against the referring line.
Against the line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Be7 he gives two options, 6.d4 and the intriguing 6.Qb3
Against the line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5?! He gives lines with the continuation 6.d4 exd4 7.0-0 where the game branches to many sub-lines.
Against the line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bd6 he gives 6.d4 and explains why other mover are too slow.
Against the declined variation (4...Bb6) he gives these three tries: 5.a4 as played by Kasparov, 5.b5 and 5.Bb2
And for final note there is a whole chapter regarding the "Odds and Ends" that you may encounter.

Conclusion:

A great book! If you're interested in the Evans or in chess history you'll find this booklet of great value.
Pluses: very nice format, easy to understand and right to the point
Minuses: Too small, could make it a lot bigger, including more variations.

Fantastic Material, 5 stars!!!