Grandmaster Secrets: The Caro-Kann
By Peter Wells
Steve Giddins is a FIDE Master from England who has frequently contributed to the British Chess Magazine. He has gained a reputation as a writer who provides useful, no-nonsense advice on topics of genuine practical importance, drawing especially upon his familiarity with Russian chess literature and training methods.
In a sequel to the hugely successful 50 Essential Chess Lessons, Steve Giddins now presents 50 games that each illustrate an important winning method. This engaging and highly readable book is a painless way to build your personal arsenal of techniques and ideas.
The games are mostly from the modern era, but with a few classic examples chosen to show key themes in as clear a way as possible. In these cases, the defender may have never seen the critical idea before, and fails to react appropriately. We then move on to more complex examples where the attacker needs to overcome stiffer resistance. Giddins repeatedly shows that despite the tactical complexity of many of these battles, the fundamental concepts can be grasped by all chess-players, and will help them navigate through apparently intimidating terrain.
After releasing 50 Essential Chess Lessons, Steve Giddins releases his second similar work. Several topics from his first work are continued here along with a few new topics.
The book is split up into:
Number of games = (#)
1. Attack and Defence (8)
2. Opening Play (4)
3. Structures (16)
4. Thematic Endings (5)
5. Other Aspects of Strategy (10)
6. Endgame Themes (5)
7. Psychology in Action (2)
Each of the sections has its own little into with a bit about the contents and ideas shown. Also each game has a brief description of its own summing up the ideas. Giddins provides a wealth of text annotations making the positions and plans very plain to the reader. Both of his works are similar in format and fit together well.
Giddins work is very clear so that the average club player can understand his thoughts and learn from them very well. With numerous references in 50 Ways to Win at Chess to his previous work, it would be suggested to read though 50 Essential Chess Lessons before taking on this new work. However, if the reader has already enjoyed Giddins first work, he will surely take to the second likewise. Highly recommend for the intermediate level!
NSG Rating = 9.2 of 10