Playing the Queen’s Gambit – A Grandmaster Guide

Description

This is the first of a two-volume complete repertoire for White with 1.d4. In this book I offer an ambitious
repertoire against 1…d5 with 2.c4. In the second volume, Playing 1.d4 – The Indian Defences, I complete
the repertoire.
In addition to being part of a new repertoire, this is also the second edition of my 2009 book Playing the
Queen’s Gambit. It is natural for the reader to wonder – what has changed? The short answer is that the
core of the repertoire remains the same, but a multitude of details have been updated and improved within
the lines.
As I explained in the first edition, the repertoire is based entirely on big mainlines, which guarantees its
reliability and strength. Firstly, you cannot expect to get anything against well-respected openings like the
Queen’s Gambit Declined and the Slav by trying a little sideline or just by playing safe. The main lines, on
the other hand, have not become main lines by chance. They have slowly but surely evolved and proved their
strength over the years, so by choosing main lines you gain reliable weapons.
Secondly, the main lines are sharp and put the maximum pressure on the opponent, both theoretically
and in practice. This corresponds perfectly with the philosophy behind this work, which is that White
should strive for the initiative and show that moving first matters. Developing the pieces fluidly to active
squares and trying to take the centre with pawns to seize space – these are key elements in the various White
set-ups presented here.
Playing White is like serving in tennis – with a good serve you either win directly or, if the opponent
manages to return the ball, at least you get the chance to take the initiative and dictate the rest of the duel.
In this book I offer you an excellent first serve. But every tennis player knows that it is important to have a
decent second serve as well. This may also be true in chess, especially in this computer age, so having a safe
alternative is a good idea. Thus, throughout the book I offer hints of where you could devote some of your
further investigations.
In the first edition I chose well-respected mainlines so it is pleasing but not so surprising that they have
generally stood the test of time. It was also inevitable that a few years of practice and analysis would reveal
parts that required strengthening. Thus every chapter has been updated, but some needed more work than
others.
To be more specific, the greatest changes have been made in the sharpest lines, particularly the Semi-Slav
and the Noteboom variations.
The Semi-Slav remains one of the greatest challenges a 1.d4-player must face. Accordingly I have not only
updated my previous answer to it but also offered as an alternative a new sharp but slightly less theoretical
answer. This new line has the bonus that it can be played against both the Botvinnik and Moscow variations.
My original recommendation against the Noteboom was one of the most ‘controversial’ parts of my repertoire. Sadly, the doubters may have been right! I have updated my old line, but this ‘Triangle’ line remains
troublesome. So I also offer a completely new antidote to the Noteboom.
If you studied my first edition then much will feel familiar – the text I wrote about the lines’ positional
features is still valid. The devil is always in the details and that is where I concentrated my attention. I am
confident this updated and improved repertoire will be an effective weapon now and for years to come. I
hope it brings you many aces!