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- Path: sparky!uunet!usc!wupost!crcnis1.unl.edu!tssi!chessnews
- From: hwr@intercal.com (Hanon W. Russell)
- Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
- Subject: Book Review: Stonewall, Colle & Torre Systems by Soltis
- Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 00:33:45 GMT
- Organization: Chessnews list (chessnews-request@tssi.com)
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-
- WHITE OPENING SYSTEM COMBINING STONEWALL ATTACK, COLLE ATTACK,
- TORRE ATTACK, by IGM Andrew Soltis, 1992 Chess Digest,
- Softcover, English Algebraic Notation, 129pp., $16.50
-
- We have not been ambiguous in our admiration for the chess books
- turned out by American Grandmaster Andy Soltis. They are well
- researched and usually contain good explanations and original
- suggestions. Indeed, he achieved a notoriety of sorts when
- Fischer employed a move in the recent match with Spassky, which
- move was apparently suggested by Soltis in his book published in
- the spring on the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation.
-
- This time, he presents material in a form which essentially
- links three White systems, the Stonewall Attack, the Colle
- System and the Torre Attack. However, in contrast to most of his
- other opening books, this one is geared for the lower rated
- (below 1900 Elo).
-
- Each system is introduced and discussed with the help of
- illustrative games. Key and recurrent strategic themes in the
- opening are explained. The emphasis here is on understanding the
- opening in question, not simply playing it by rote. In that
- regard, Soltis does a fine job.
-
- The author looks at and discusses plainly the choice of move
- order, opening and middlegame objectives and underlying
- strategy. There is no question that the subject matter could
- have been covered in much more depth. But that is precisely the
- point. The hair-splitting, twenty-move-deep opening meisters is
- not the group best suited for this book.
-
- There are separate books available for each opening which the
- student may wish to obtain eventually. As a matter of fact,
- Soltis himself wrote a solid book on the Stonewall Attack a few
- years back. Until such time, however, as the student wants to
- explore the depths of these openings, this work by Soltis will
- do just fine, thank you.
-
- It is nice to see a respected grandmaster and author
- occasionally directing his writing efforts toward the club
- player. Soltis scores again!
-
- ***************************************************************
- The books which are reviewed by Mr. Russell are furnished
- courtesy of the United States Chess Federation. The views
- expressed are those of Mr. Russell and do not necessarily
- reflect the views of the United States Chess Federation. You may
- order this book and/or obtain the latest catalog of chess books
- and equipment from the U.S.C.F., 186 Rt. 9W, New Windsor, NY
- 12553 or call toll-free 1-800-388-5464.
-
- Copyright 1992 Hanon W. Russell
- All Rights Reserved
- ***************************************************************
-
-
-