The Sicilian Four Knights

Siciliansk firspringerspill er antagelig mindre kjent enn fortjent og også litt undervurdert. En aktuell overraskelse som oppstår etter for eksempel trekkrekkefølgen 1.e4 c5 2.Sf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Sxd4 Sf6 5.Sc3 Sc6.

En amerikansk toppspiller i fjernsjakk benytter denne åpningen og har skrevet boka. Den kjente teoretikeren stormester Kotronias har skrevet forordet.

Fra forordet:

With all the many books and articles on the Sicilian Defense, there is surprisingly little about the Four Knights Variation. Its starting position is reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6. It may also be reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6. Some prefer 2...e6 to 2...Nc6 because it avoids 3.Bb5.

The fundamentals of the Sicilian Four Knights are not hard to learn. Black reaches the middlegame quickly and safely, with lively piece play in the dynamic positions which arise. There is no easy ride for White here, and, in particular, if he gets over-ambitious, he can find himself on the receiving end of a powerful attack very quickly.

The material is very well structured, and the assessments are objective and backed with accurate analysis which will not cause the reader fatigue by becoming exceedingly elaborate ... But, above all, this is an opening that is definitely sound and this work proves it. It will improve your ability to score against both weaker and stronger opposition, offering clear-cut and occasionally bold play.

Author David Willis has done a fine job of clearly presenting the analysis, providing us with comprehensive explanations and sound lines in an opening that deserves more attention and popularity. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Four Knights to all levels of players.

• From the Foreword by Vassilios Kotronias

About the Author

Correspondence senior master David Willis is one of the strongest American correspondence chessplayers. He is also a master in over-the-board play and has been relying on the Sicilian Four Knights as his go-to defense against 1.e4 for years. He lives with his family in San Diego. This is his first book for Russell Enterprises.

Innholdet:

007 Foreword by Vassilios Kotronias

009 Introduction

016 Chapter 1 - 6.Ndb5

103 Chapter 2 - 6.Nxc6

163 Chapter 3 - 6.g3

180 Chapter 4 - 6.Bg5

188 Chapter 5 - 6.Be2

205 Chapter 6 - 6.a3

212 Chapter 7 - 6.Be3

228 Chapter 8 - Other Sixth Moves

236 Bibliography

238 Index of Variations