For those interested in verifying my comments regarding Avrukh, check out the Quality Chess blogs. QC has some excellent blogs on their opening books.
Starting Out v. Move by Move
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I may actually start with this Lakdawala poet then....
Not sure what to do about a Slav repertoire though...
If you have the time and energy, my guess is that Lakdawala is the way to go. As I mentioned, he has something of a repertoire-for-White attitude, leaving out some possible White choices in order to provide more help on others. However, at times, he does make some attempt to give the reader more than one choice.
Having read the Lakdawala, Sadler and Vigus books on the Slav, I think all three are worthwhile but for an average club player looking to buy only one book to learn the opening, my recommendation is Vigus because of the excellent introduction and sound yet active repertoire.
If you were planning to buy two books, I'd suggest Sadler and Vigus but as always, your mileage may vary...
Actually, the Amazon description states that a Slav repertoire for Black is given by Lakdawala. Highly rated book.
When you face one of those quandries that one sometimes encounters, you can ask yourself, "What would Vigus do?"
ylblai2 wrote:
Vigus has more emphasis on lots of lines and less emphasis on explanation, compared to Lakdawala and Flear.
Of course, HoneyBadgerOz is has emphasized the intros and explanations of Sadler (possibbly outdated but for my level probably won't matter) and Vigus...I'll see if I get any more input...then make a decision...
I should have the link to the review of Lakdawala, tomorrow. I think I can find a Vigus review, too.
@SmyslovFan:
I was just doing that.
@yiblai:
Thanks.
I like Kasparov's books. Although I understand very little of what he's saying, they look great on my shelf.
tucumcari wrote:
I like Kasparov's books. Although I understand very little of what he's saying, they look great on my shelf.
He probably doesn't understand the Slav. Sometimes he misses a move, six moves ahead. His IQ is only 190.
He sure can take a punch though!
What is that photo all about? He is into fist fights? Looks like he should stick with chess and not boxing.
Chicken_Monster wrote:
What is that photo all about? He is into fist fights? Looks like he should stick with chess and not boxing.
I respectfully disagree, chess-boxing is great fun!
Apparently he is crazy enough to spar with Putin!
Nov 23, 2015
0
#39
Chicken_Monster wrote:
ROFL. Maybe Lakawakachewbacha he just wanted to write an extraneous 200 pages. That guy is off the list. I don't have time for that drivel.
I find Reuben Fine to be a good writer...
I'll add Sadler to the list. Good suggestions. Will start with Vigus most likely...and, of course, Robert's Slav blogs (instilled with sardonic and impetuous temerity).
Fine is quite a bit outdated, writing in the 1940's.
Vigus is good. Flear would be even better.
Get both.
Nov 23, 2015
0
#40
ylblai2 wrote:
If I remember correctly, the Lakdawala book got a good review. I'll try to post a link tomorrow. For now, I'll just make some obvious points. (I am not really qualified to make any other kind.) The Lakdawala book is over 400 pages and does not cover the Semi-Slav. About half of the (much shorter) Flear book is for the Semi-Slav. In addition to covering more Slav possibilities, Lakdawala made some attempt to discuss how a Slav-player could adapt it for play against flank stuff. Also, Lakdawala's book is more recent. Flear comes closer to providing a quick Slav introduction. Vigus has more emphasis on lots of lines and less emphasis on explanation, compared to Lakdawala and Flear. Sadler is kind of like an older Flear. Last century if I remember correctly, but Sadler was a really big name in chess in those days. He covered the Slav and Semi-Slav in separate books. Lakdawala and Vigus had more of a repertoire-for-White approach than Flear and Sadler.
Flear's book is much shorter, but 200 pages of Lakdawala is the meaningless drivel I posted on page 1.
If I remember correctly, the Lakdawala book got a good review. I'll try to post a link tomorrow. For now, I'll just make some obvious points. (I am not really qualified to make any other kind.) The Lakdawala book is over 400 pages and does not cover the Semi-Slav. About half of the (much shorter) Flear book is for the Semi-Slav. In addition to covering more Slav possibilities, Lakdawala made some attempt to discuss how a Slav-player could adapt it for play against flank stuff. Also, Lakdawala's book is more recent. Flear comes closer to providing a quick Slav introduction. Vigus has more emphasis on lots of lines and less emphasis on explanation, compared to Lakdawala and Flear. Sadler is kind of like an older Flear. Last century if I remember correctly, but Sadler was a really big name in chess in those days. He covered the Slav and Semi-Slav in separate books. Lakdawala and Vigus had more of a repertoire-for-White approach than Flear and Sadler.