The Queen’s Gambit & Catalan for Black By: Lasha Janjgava

Author: Graham Burgess, Lasha Janjgava

Every chess-player needs a reliable defense against the Queen’s Pawn Opening. The fundamental question is whether to go all-out for counterplay, which may involve a great deal of risk, or to adopt a more solid, classical approach, and first carefully neutralize White’s iniative. This book shows the potential of the latter approach. By defending the Queen’s Gambit Declined, Black puts a firm road-block in the way of White’s ambitions. If as often happens when faced by a sturdy defense, White becomes careless or impatient, Black is ready to break out and seize the initiative. Janjgava also shows how White’s more hyper-modern Catalan treatment can be met with the same strategy, and explains how, once Black has equalized, he can unbalance the position, and play for a win.