The Slav

Rating:
Summary: Slav book rules.
Review: A previous reviewer (2 items down) has already described in detail the chapter format and the various advantages of this stellar book. You must read that review too.

So I want to answer the question "WHICH Sadler book should I buy?" given that he has written great books on the Slav, Semi-Slav and QGD. In my opinion, if you are preparing you main defence to 1 d4 from scratch get the Slav book, because:

(a) White has a much more limited range of options and therefore you have to learn less disparate lines. (b) The games in this book are a lot shorter than the ones in the QGD book, so it is quicker to work through. (c) 1 d4 Players (in England anyway)tend only to know the first five or six moves of theory and make the rest up. This is probably not the case for continentals.

Hope this helps you decide.

Rating:
Summary: A Gem: Well-Organized, Balanced, Useful
Review: Grandmaster Sadler uses 88 model tournament games by himself, Anand, Shirov, Kasparov, Kramnik, etc., to illustrate the strategy and tactics for both sides in the Slav (1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6). He annotates the games unusually well: asking (and answering questions), discussing (in words!) various positions, and giving alternative move sequences. Sadler's introductory chapter is particularly useful for less-experienced non-master players as it provides a thorough, simple overview of the Slav's aims, move-orders, and typical positions. The chapters organize the Slav: "the old main line" (3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 dc 5 a4 Bf5 6 e3 e6 7 Bc4 Bb4 8 0-0) where Black either fights to prevent e4 or allows e4. Following that, is the "new main line" (3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 dc 5 a4 Bf5 6 Ne5)where Black fights for control of e4 or counterattacks. There is a chapter on the Smyslov variation (5 a4 Na6) and one on the Bronstein variation (5 a4 Bg4). Two chapters cover the 4...a6 Slav where white plays 5 e3 and other, aggressive options for white. The exchange variation, regarded as very drawish, appears in the ninth chapter,with the plans for white/black players who want a victory. Move orders and transpositions, along with odds and ends, complete the last 2 chapters. This is not a repertoire book that covers every possible variation/move-order, so if you're concerned with having a quick reference, you might get Nunn's Chess Openings. However, this book really does qive you the positions, plans, aims of the Slav thoroughly - you'll have an idea of what to do in most cases.

Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: My result for playing Slav is quite good because of this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Gem: Well-Organized, Balanced, Useful
Review: Sadler is not only one of England's strongest Grandmasters, he actually plays the opening he writes about. His style is lucid and witty. There are a few atrocious errors in the notes, which may or may not be typos.

The best part? The shocking piece sacrifice by Illescas on the twelfth move of Game 77.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended to all Slav players
Review: Sadler is not only one of England's strongest Grandmasters, he actually plays the opening he writes about. His style is lucid and witty. There are a few atrocious errors in the notes, which may or may not be typos.

The best part? The shocking piece sacrifice by Illescas on the twelfth move of Game 77.

Rating:
Summary: Can't get bored by Mr.Sadler
Review: See my comments on "The Queen's Gambit Declined" by the same author. I became a fan of Mr.Sadler by reading his books!

Rating:
Summary: Can't get bored by Mr.Sadler
Review: See my comments on "The Queen's Gambit Declined" by the same author. I became a fan of Mr.Sadler by reading his books!

Rating:
Summary: A good collection of up-to-date Slav games
Review: This book is useful to provide an overview over the currently played lines in the Slav defence. Most of the games are taken from recent tournaments featuring some of the strongest grandmasters. At the end of each chapter a nice summary of one page is given. While the main lines are explained quite thoroughly others e.g. the Smyslow variation are treated on a lower level. It has to be pointed out that this book doesn't provide a complete coverage of the Slav theory. Therefore a tournament or correspondence player will need additional sources of information.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for slav beginners.
Review: This is a great first book on the Slav. Sadler's writing is witty and humorous making the book a pleasure. Sadler is big on the themes and ideas behind the various lines in the Slav. He is a little short on detailed analysis (which I won't remember anyway). This book will not appeal to players over 1800 USCF. However if you, like me, are just an average club player who needs a solid but active defense against 1. d4, this is a great book.