Easy Guide to the Bb5 Sicilian

Rating:
Summary: Plans, Strategies, Ideas: Well-Explained, Clearly Organized
Review: The Sicilian Defense with 3 Bb5 (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3) is very clearly explained by Pedersen; he includes basic strategies and thematic ideas for both the White and Black player. The level of analysis is suitable for most ambitious non-masters familiar with opening theory. The book is well-organized, easy-to-use (finding variations is simple), although my copy could have been printed with darker ink(!) and more complete game examples. As a player who uses 1 e4 a great deal, I needed a simple, competitive answer to 1...c5 that gave White the choice of systems. I've used 2 Nc3 (Closed Sicilian) but found it tame. 3 Bb5 is an active, sound system, easily learned, fun to play. Consider it.

Rating:
Summary: Missing transpositions....
Review: While the book was a good read for the subway...it misses transpositions after certain Bb5 themes- it is understandable, but not good for tournament players who need to know the concrete lines that follow.