Alexander Khalifman, Sergei Soloviov: Squeezing 1.e4 e5

Chess Stars, paperback, Englisch, ISBN: 978-619-7188-26-4, 296 Seiten, 2019.

Squeezing 1.e4 e5: a Solid Strategic Approach.

The previous book of Khalifman and Soloviov, The Modern Scotch, discussed how to counter 1.e4 e5 in the most direct, aggressive and sometimes even risky fashion. Their new work explores a radically different approach. It presents a White repertoire based on the Four Knights Game, and in particular, the main line - the traditional system with 4.Bb5.

The authors summarise the method they propose in the following way:
1. White controls the centre, develops quickly and castles. He DOES NOT strive for a direct clash with the opponent after the first few moves in the opening.
2. He begins active operations only after the completion of his development; as a rule, these will take place in the centre and on the kingside.
3. White strives to reach positions in which basic strategical principles, correct evaluation and ability to choose the correct plan will be at least as important as calculation and theoretical knowledge.
4. He still fights for an opening advantage even though the focus is on the middlegame.


Alexander Khalifman is a GM and FIDE Senior Trainer, FIDE World Chess Champion in 1999. He won the Soviet Union Youth Championship (1982, 1984), the European Under-20 Championship (1985), the Russian Championship (1996). He was a member of the gold medal-winning Russian team at the Chess Olympiads in 1992, 2000 and 2002, and at the 1997 World Team Chess Championship. Author of many books as Opening for White According to Anand, Opening for White According to Kramnik.

Sergei Soloviov is an IM, author of many books as Boris Spassky's 400 Selected Games, Leko's One Hundred Wins.

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