Pirc Alert!: A Complete Defense Against 1. e4 [Paperback]

Lev Alburt (Author), Alex Chernin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

Win more games and enjoy chess more as you play and understand it better!

Packed with surprise-weapons, Pirc Alert! gives you everything you need to know to defend against White's most popular way of starting the game. Alburt and Chernin explain both the winning ideas as well as the moves of the Pirc Defense, a dynamic system used by the world's chess elite. The perfect companion to Alburt's Comprehensive Chess Course, this book makes use of time-tested educational techniques to make it easy for you to read and remember. The most important principles and positions are highlighted in color. Lesson previews and unique "memory markers" lock in what you've learned. Frequent diagrams allow you to study without a board. Pirc Alert! is the first volume of the brand-new three-volume series, Alburt's Chess Openings, which will give you all the opening knowledge essential to playing this phase of the game like a master. Two-color illustrations throughout. "Pirc Alert!...does a fine job at being thematic while offering enough analysis to satisfy anyone who wants to adopt the defense that runs 1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 4 Nc3 g6."—Andy Soltis, Chess Grandmaster, New York Post, June 3, 2001 Two color illustrations throughout

Editorial Reviews

Review

[D]oes a fine job at being thematic while offering enough analysis to satisfy anyone... -- Andy Soltis, Chess Grandmaster, New York Post, 3 June 2001

About the Author

International Grandmaster Lev Alburt, three-time U.S. champion and former European champion, is one of the most sought-after chess teachers in the world. He lives in New York.

World-championship candidate Grandmaster Alex Chernin lives in Budapest and is the leading expert on the Pirc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Chess Information & Research Institute (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889323071
• ISBN-13: 978-1889323077
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,647,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Opening book you have been waiting for., April 12, 2001

By 

"ghoulahan" (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pirc Alert!: A Complete Defense Against 1. e4 (Paperback)

This is one of the best opening books I have ever read. I bought this book to keep up on ideas for white in the Pirc, but now I'm thinking of switching from my favored Sicilian and giving it a try as black.

I own over 600 chess books including a bunch on the Pirc. This one stands out head and shoulders above the rest.

A considerable amount of time is spent on the theory of the opening. At last someone is willing to tell us what it takes years to figure out. What the reasons are behind all of the moves and variations. The reasons are given in plain English with numerous diagrams to point out the various motifs.

Then after an extensive discussion of opening theory, the authors cover the actual moves and variations and include a large number of opening novelties.

This is the way all opening books should be designed. I can hardly wait for their next one

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best opening books I have read..., August 20, 2001

By 

David H. Small (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pirc Alert!: A Complete Defense Against 1. e4 (Paperback)

This is one of the finest opening books I have read. First a warning. The Pirc defence is not for the novice. The defence is complex, subtle, fluid and requires a high degree of positional understanding and defensive skill. It is one of the most complex responses to 1. e4 that Black can play. From this perspective it is amazing that the authors have written such a lucid book. Lev Alburt's didactic approach is enhanced by Alex Chernin's specialist knowledge. The end product is a superb book. I have read hundreds of opening books, but this ranks as one of the best, if not THE best. You will understand the Pirc defence after reading this book. While not every variation is covered, most are covered more than enough for the average club hacker. If you are below FIDE 2200 you will benefit from this book. However, having said that, I am not convinced that the class C to low B player should adopt this opening. But, if you like complex positions with plenty of room for originality and fluctuating pawn structures... go for it. You wont get a better guide than this book.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother with 2nd edition, November 4, 2009

By 

Timothy Reilly (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pirc Alert!: A Complete Defense Against 1. e4 (Second Edition, Revised & Updated) (Paperback)

Not a bad book in itself, but the "revised & updated" 2nd edition is just the first edition with some very minor notes added a few times to the last part of the book. It has the same number of pages as, and is essentially identical to, the first edition. To describe it as "revised and updated" as it does on the cover is quite deceptive. So if you already have this book don't bother getting the 2nd edition, it's a complete rip off as it adds next to nothing.