The Petroff

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: First, it is completely unfair of the other reviewer to give two stars because he is more of a beginner. This book is a staggering contribution to chess literature. It is brilliantly organized and set out, with TONS of lines and alternate moves. And there ARE verbal explanations where appropriate. Excuse me, but the Petroff is a classic ancient open game, and if you need constant "move by move" analysis, then, no, this is not for you. You should already understand the ideas of open games. This book is so great, it has references to Morphy ... and Karpov. It is a comprehensive and historical work. It was translated by Graham Burgess, so it has the well-written feel of the best GAMBIT books. It is much better written and edited than most stuff coming out. And there is a great index. The Petroff is such a great response to 1. e4. This is THE book to have; it all you need for open games, in addition to a response to the King's Gambit. THis is clearly a five-star book. It is one of the best opening books I have ever seen, and GAMBIT has perhaps the highest production and editing values that have ever been seen in chess literature. This book belongs on your shelf. It is wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Great reference
Review: This is a great reference work on the Petroff, and it is a nicely produced book by Gambit. Their books are so great, and it so refreshing to have an actual index in the BACK (unlike those jokders at EVERYMAN). This is not fo beginners who want every move explained to them, but it is for those who want to play this great defence to 1. e4 that irritates so many people who are ready for anything but this!

Rating:
Summary: Great reference
Review: Unless you're a high Class A player, you'd do well to avoid this one. It's practically an encyclopedia of the Petroff Defense, comprehensive in its presentation of variations and sub-variations--just the kind of opening guide that average players DON'T need.

This book bucks a trend in opening works published in recent years in that it's very high on notation, quite low on words that explain the ideas behind the opening. To paraphrase Lev Alburt, former U.S. chess champion and respected teacher and author, opening theory changes with the times, but ideas remain constant.

Sadly, to my knowledge, I can't think of a reasonable alternative to this guide for those interested in the Petroff. Titles by Dvoretsky and Karpov follow along similar lines. My guess is that this opening hasn't yet gained enough respect and/or credibility ("playability," for want of a better word) to inspire a book that explains the "whys" behind this ambitious defense.

(...)

Rating:
Summary: Rich in variations, lacking in explanations
Review: Unless you're a high Class A player, you'd do well to avoid this one. It's practically an encyclopedia of the Petroff Defense, comprehensive in its presentation of variations and sub-variations--just the kind of opening guide that average players DON'T need.

This book bucks a trend in opening works published in recent years in that it's very high on notation, quite low on words that explain the ideas behind the opening. To paraphrase Lev Alburt, former U.S. chess champion and respected teacher and author, opening theory changes with the times, but ideas remain constant.

Sadly, to my knowledge, I can't think of a reasonable alternative to this guide for those interested in the Petroff. Titles by Dvoretsky and Karpov follow along similar lines. My guess is that this opening hasn't yet gained enough respect and/or credibility ("playability," for want of a better word) to inspire a book that explains the "whys" behind this ambitious defense.

(...)