Product Description

The Dutch Defence is an ambitious and underrated counter to the queen's pawn opening. With his very first move Black creates an asymmetrical pawn structure, thus unbalancing the position from a very early stage and allowing both White and Black players to fight for the initiative. Black also has many options within the Dutch Defence, from the ultra-solid Stonewall formation through to the fluid Classical System and the dynamic Leningrad Variation. In this user-friendly book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Dutch Defence and its many variations. Throughout the book there are an abundance of notes, tips, warnings and exercises to help the improving player, while key strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated. The book's user-friendly design helps readers absorb ideas. It concentrates on the key principles of the Ruy Lopez and is ideal for the improving player.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #321430 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

About the Author
English Grandmaster Neil McDonald is an experienced and successful player on the international chess circuit. He is a respected chess coach, who has trained many of England's strongest junior players. McDonald is also a talented chess writer and has many outstanding works to his name. Earlier Everyman books include Concise Chess Openings and Starting Out: The English.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Dutch primer
This is a great introduction to the Dutch, as discussed in Carsten Hansen's review at Chesscafe. I am still not sure that I'd want to play the Dutch exclusively, as there are undeniable weaknesses (the ...f5 move itself, for example) in the different setups, as well as move order issues (if you don't want to face White's very reasonable 2nd move alternatives to the mainlines)to be dealt with, but McDonald gives enough guidance for those willing to play their chosen setup (all three main Dutch lines are covered, ie Stonewall, Classical & Leningrad) should they face early deviations from White. The explanatory text is excellent, and there are few areas that get heavily bogged down in theory, although if you opt for the Leningrad especially there is no way around knowing a certain amount. A great book for those wishing to pursue the Dutch as a secondary or surprise opening, but for those wanting it as their main choice against 1d4 they will probably want to add some more material, i.e. Simon Williams' book on the Classical, Valeri Beim (or McDonald himself, though the theory is more likely to have dated due to age) for more on the Leningrad, or the new Stefan Kindermann Leningrad book that is imminent - a translation of his German text. Those preferring the Stonewall would do well to look at Jacob Aagaard's book on it.