Winning With the Slav (Batsford Chess Library) [Paperback]

Yuri Markov (Author), Boris Schipkov (Author)

Book Description

Series: Batsford Chess Library | Publication Date: March 1994

The Slav is the Black's most popular response to the Queen's Gambit and one of the most played defences by Grandmasters. This book explains in detail all the themes behind this uncompromising defence. The authors are two leading Siberian players and their experience of playing against top Russians enables them to prescribe effective remedies to the White's unusual approaches and to explain how the Black can find counterchances against the solid main line.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co (P) (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805032835
• ISBN-13: 978-0805032833
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,219,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Find this one if you can., October 30, 2005

By 

Anthony (PARRISH, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Winning With the Slav (Batsford Chess Library) (Paperback)

This book is a little dated, and if you want it you may have to find a used copy, but you won't be disappointed. I have to admit that my favorite book on the Slav is Sadler's. If you are just learning the opening, that is the place to start. This book, like Sadler's, examines model games from strong players. In this manner you not only learn the opening, but typical middle game and endgame themes that come from playing the Slav. It is a lot easier for me to remember themes and general ideas than numerous opening variations.

The book is laid out differently than Sadlers. Sadler begins by examining the main lines when White plays 5. a4 and then goes on to other variations of the Slav. Markov & Schipkov begin with the exchange variation and lines where White does not play 5. a4. In my experience in OTB and internet play, these lines are far more common at the club level. Markov & Schipkov cover some lines that are not strictly Slav lines. I was playing through one line and thought that it had transposed into some sort of Indian Defense. Chessbase confirmed that it was the Gruenfeld. Many authors of opening books would omit these lines with some remark to the effect that they were beyond the scope of this work. True, but they may not be beyond the scope of your opponent.

If you can find a copy, pick this one up. You will learn more about the Slav, and become a better player by playing through some cool games.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on Slav., December 5, 2002

By 

johnnyqb (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winning With the Slav (Batsford Chess Library) (Paperback)

This is a really nice book on the Slav. I find myself using it more than Sadler's book. It has 76 well-annotated games, a great introductory chapter on ideas of the Slav, and a nice index of variations at the end. The whole thing is just very well-done. The authors are "two Siberian masters" who really know their stuff, and are quite intense about it.