A Ferocious Opening Repertoire (Everyman Chess) Paperback – February 22, 2011

This is a good sized book (304 pages) written in a very entertaining style which outlays a complete repertoire for White using the Veresov Opening. The book uses annotated 104 very well annotated games to explain the lines. The author does a very good job of teaching how to play in addition to the variations. Very frequently he pauses and lists the important features of the position, for example, why one side or the other has an advantage, and explains the right plans (not just in the opening but all through the game). I'm a 2280 player and getting a lot out of the middle and endgame discussion. Lakdawala is especially good at explaining how to find the right plan.The illustrative games cover a complete repertoire including lines against every reasonable response to 1.d4. There's no lame "here we transpose to the xyz defense which is beyond the scope of this book". This isn't a typical opening repertoire book though. The games are written in the style of chess lessons and the commentary is a lot of fun as well as instructive. Only Cyrus would explain a position this lucidly: "Attackers all across the board are drawn to the d7-square like flies to a trash can". The book is full of colorful explanations and it adds, not detracts from the learning experience. This really is a book for chess players.Key question: How does the author address the 'main line' Veresov 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 Nbd7 4.? Playing 4.f3 certainly meets the advertising 'Ferocious' - the games are wild and fun, but this might be a crummy repertoire if someone has a chance to prepare for you. The alternate is to play Qd3 which is still interesting and the main choice of Hector and Khachian (these two GMs show up many timse in the example games). It turns out that Lakdawala has a repertoire line for each of these lines so you get to choose.Another bid decision: How should White respond if Black plays an early e6? Some repertoire books try very hard to avoid main lines and will supply a dumb sideline to avoid having to wade into theory but "Ferocious" is a nice blend with a few snippets of main line variations and plenty of original, but GM endorsed interesting byways ((I include the Veresov in that category). The French lines he recommends are an interesting mix. He recommends the Alekhine-Chatard attack and gives very recent analysis and games (a key variation pioneered by Hector). In some places he transposes to the exchange French - not very ferocious sounding - but they are unbalanced sub variations and as a long-time French player I was particularly impressed with the attacking ideas in that chapter. In fact two chapters of this book provide an almost complete and novel anti-French repertoire that an 1.e4 player could use.Against the Pirc and Modern Bg5 lines are recommended (not so common but everyone seems to consider them a serious threat to ...g6 lines). I liked all the explanations about how the various repertoire lines were selected. In many cases GM Jonny Hector's games were used to pave the way -they are exciting and original. Lakdawala too the hard path of stayimng committed to genuinely sound and interesting lines which is no doubt why the book is quite large.This is a great book and expect it will get quite a following.

I bought this book from Amazon and the e-book from Everyman Chess. The aggressive Veresov opening, 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 is unusual. If your opponent is expecting a Queens Gambit or Colle or London, or other standard 1.d4 opening , it will take them out of their comfort zone by immediately creating problems for them. You just don't see it played much, at least in my chess club of 200+ players. It is very effective and if Black doesn't play sound equalizing defense moves, he will be quickly in trouble from a ferocious king-side attack esp. if Black plays 0-0.The book is very readable with a lot of insightful comments and clear, easily understood explanations. I like the way Mr. Lakdawala writes. He brings a dash of humor and has a light touch on a heavy subject. He covers the most common defenses against the Veresov, such as the French, Caro-Kann and the Pirc. World class players such as Fischer, Hector, Khachian, Nakamura, whose games are included in the book, have successfully used this opening against those defenses.If you decide to include this aggressive opening in your repertoire it will bring a freshness to your play and another opportunity to improve your game.

I really enjoyed this book, I love all of cyrus' books actually! One thing which I wish would have been expanded upon is the general theory of this opening like key squares/ the most active squares for the pieces but I guess that it is the nature of super sharp openings that the majority of the book is dedicated to variations and concrete analysis :P

Cyrus Lakdawala did a superb job on this book! I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to play 1.d4 followed by ferocity! My only beef has really nothing to do with the book, but with the name of the opening. After reading Bronstein's Sorceror's Apprentice, I wish the opening bore the name of someone other than that of he-who-shall-not-be-named. This is actually the RICHTER Attack. Veresov played it later, but does not deserve to be memorialized/honored by having his name attached to it. Richter was a theoretician...Veresov an anti-semitic _______.

Another excellent book by Cyrus "the great". I own several books by Mr. Lakdawala and I have never been disappointed, he has a highly entertaining writing style (what other chess author quotes the Doors and the Who) coupled with high level analysis and ideas. In AFOR he tackles the Veresov which is wonderfully complex and exciting opening, he has sold me, I opened several games at my club with the Veresov with great success (3-0-0).

This is the best opening book on my shelf now. The author makes it fun to follow and provides great analysis. I particularly like the introductory paragraph beginning each chapter and the Summary section at the end of each game. I also find the diagrams and strategy points at key positions useful. I highly recommend this book.

Probably a good book but the typing errors make it a problem. In the kindle edition at least, Richter-Rogmann shows white castling long when he has yet to move his queen. A later diagram shows that he actually castled short, but that also was not possible at the move number specified.

An excellent book on aggressive openings for white and black, it takes the opponent out of their comfort zone right from the beginning. If you want to confuse your opponent from the start then this is the book for you.