Play the 4 f3 Nimzo-Indian [Paperback]

Yuri Yakovich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2005

The Nimzo-Indian is an extremely popular and reliable defence, upon which most world champions have relied at some point in their careers. Black controls the vital e4-square with his pieces, and retains total flexibility with his central pawns. By playing 4 f3, White challenges Black's idea head-on. Either Black grants White control of e4, or else he must commit his pawn to d5, whereupon White can begin concrete action in the centre. The result is sharp, forcing play of a type that is rare in the early stages of most Nimzo-Indians. 4 f3 is an excellent choice for ambitious players who are willing to prepare carefully, as it can be used to steamroller opponents who have not worked out an accurate response.

The 4 f3 Nimzo enjoyed a period of great popularity in the early 1990s, following a number of spectacular victories by the teenage Alexei Shirov. However, good responses were found and the line's popularity declined. A number of players quietly worked away at revitalizing 4 f3, and it is now once again a potent weapon. Following its period out of the limelight, it has now regained its surprise value, which will be greatly valued by club players wishing to spring 4 f3 on their opponents.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Gambit Publications specialises in chess and has an unrivalled reputation for originality and editorial excellence. The company is owned and staffed entirely by leading chess masters and grandmasters.

About the Author

Yuri Yakovich is an experienced grandmaster and renowned trainer from the Russian city of Samara. His numerous tournament victories include three consecutive triumphs at Santo Antonio during 1999-2001. Yakovich has played the 4 f3 Nimzo-Indian frequently during his career, and has made important contributions to its theory. This is his second chess book for Gambit; see also The Complete Sveshnikov Sicilian.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Gambit Publications (March 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904600166
• ISBN-13: 978-1904600169
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,985,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Shallow understanding of the f3 variations., December 4, 2004

By 

Pirc_defense_expert (New England USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Play the 4 f3 Nimzo-Indian (Paperback)

I was excited when I read about a new book on f3 variation, and I ordered as soon as it came avalible on amazon. I dont regret ordering it as I have been studying the f3 for some time now and there are really no other books on it. However its obvious, if you play this as much as I do that yuri's understanding of the whole variation, is only average. Moreover he didnt put much time into analysis for this book. He mainly looked at the database and copied from the opening encyclopedias. Now its true that as a professional he cant give away all his secrets, but really if thats your attitude than dont bother write a book.

Let me just give a few of the errors,I dont want to give them all away, but here are a few:

After d4 nf6 c4 e6 nc3 bb4 f3 c5 yuri writes: "In order to maintain the position in the center white must reply d5"

Actually thats false, a3 more than playble, in fact I think it is better than d5.

After d5 he gives blacks choices as:

b5, 0-0, BxN, and Nh5. Whoops, guess he forgot blacks best move, d6! with the plan of meeting e4 with b5. Note that he does not cover any transpositions into this variation.

Here is a reaccuring blurb from one of his summaries:

"The lack of practical examples does not allow us to make any clear-cut assessments regarding the value of 10.g3!?, although in the games in which this move has featured, Black was unable to solve his opening problems"

Insightful eh?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trend-setting analysis of a potent opening system, March 2, 2005

By 

P Reed "Nimzo Crusher" (Seattle WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Play the 4 f3 Nimzo-Indian (Paperback)

Some opening manuals are written in response to popular trends. Others - sometimes the most innovative - can create the trends. It is clear that Yuri Yakovich has penned one of the latter type here, with his enterprising coverage of the surprise line arising after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 f3.

White's intentions are deeply aggressive, aiming for a quick central build-up with e4. Yakovich is a top Russian trainer, and a Grandmaster, known as a world authority on this variation. He has had success even after strong opponents have come to expect it.

Much of the analysis in this book is original or challenges established theory and assessments. So even if the theoretical verdict of the line remains unclear, players of the black pieces will need to be familiar with the intricacies, or risk being steamrolled in the opening. A point reinforced by the 14 illustrative games at the end of the book, where in one Gheorghiu beats Fischer at the Havana Olympiad in 1966.