Martin, First steps - The Queen's Gambit

The Queen s Gambit is one of the great classical openings. All the world champions and elite players have played this opening most of them for both sides.



In this book the highly experienced coach international master Andrew Martin explains the basic ideas behind all the different variations you can encounter after 1 d4 d5 2 c4. This includes the classical defences (such as the Orthodox, the Lasker and the Slav) as well as the weird and wonderful (such as the Albin Counter-Gambit, the Hennig-Schara Gambit and Marshall's Defence).

First Steps is a new opening series and is ideal for improving players who want simple and straightforward explanations. First Steps emphasizes:



the basic principles
the basic strategies
the key tricks and traps



First Steps books are based around carefully selected instructive games which demonstrate exactly what both sides are trying to achieve. There is enough theory to enable the improving player to get to grips with the opening without feeling overwhelmed. If you want to take up a new opening, First Steps is the ideal place to start.

Contents


About the Author

Bibliography

Introduction

1. Piece Deployment for White

2. Piece Deployment for Black

3. Exchange Systems

4. The Queen s Gambit Accepted

5. The Queen s Gambit Declined

6. The Slav

7. The Semi-Slav and Meran

8. The Tarrasch Defence

9. The Semi-Tarrasch Defence

10. Less Common Ideas for Black

Index of Variations

Index of Complete Games