Play the Classical Dutch

Author - Simon Williams ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Paperback Book item from Gambit Publications was reviewed on 11-Dec-2008.

Search ISBN:1901983889 offer from Abebooks or used books from Alibris. Play the Classical Dutch Reference Book. Classifications : Chess Board Games Puzzles & Games Entertainment Subjects Books General Puzzles & Games Entertainment Subjects Books General AAS Puzzles & Games Entertainment Subjects Books Paperback Mass Market Trade . Click the following link to view the cover of Play the Classical Dutch.

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1) Paperback Book Play the Classical Dutch by Gambit Publications. This is a great book to learn the Classical Dutch from. Unlike most books, in which the "ideas over variations" theme is marketing dross, this book actually delivers a manageable number of concrete positional and tactical benchmarks for analyzing positions. Williams writes very clearly and his discussions are focussed and purposeful.

There are plenty of options to choose from, but not too much depth of lines in the analysis. You can treat this as a good or bad thing as you please - it was fine by me. So it is a "minimal" coverage of theory.

But the biggest oversight was the lack of guidance over which lines to choose and how to combine them in a cohesive way. It takes a fair bit of work to work out how to handle the early move orders (although the obvious divergences are handled well). So I dropped a point for this lack of guidance. Overall the book is very well written and rewards study.

And the Classical Dutch is a nice opening. It is widely applicable (against all but 1.e4, 1.g4, 1.Nc3), has a fairly routine development model, and only a few sharp lines to memorize after early deviations (eg. Staunton gambit) which aren´t too bad.¤

2) Paperback Book Play the Classical Dutch by Gambit Publications. Short but concise with good information about the Classical Dutch in it. I would play the Classical Dutch combined with the Stonewall Dutch. Depending on what white does. If white develops his Queen Bishop quickly to f4 let´s say. Than play a Nimzo Classical Dutch and don´t play the Stonewall. If white plays g3, Nf3 stuff and does not touch the Queen Bishop till later. Than I like the Stonewall.
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3) Paperback Book Play the Classical Dutch by Gambit Publications. Let me say that the Dutch is an excellent, but risky, system that should appeal to people who like to "burn their pants" early. In the dutch, there is no such thing as as a loss that is based on one static factor. All losses are SLAUGHTERS. It doesn´t matter if your on the white side or the black side. The reason I give this book 1 star is because the Classical Dutch is not the best system to play. When you play the dutch, you want the full point. The Classical dutch doesn´t do that. It usually leads to quiet positions where you have good chances in the endgame. Trust me, I know what I´m talking about. That leaves to other systems. The Stonewall Dutch and The Leningrad Dutch. The Stonewall is OK. Black is extremely solid and his defense is hard to break down. But the one major problem with it is that there are gaping holes in blacks position, so white usually has the better chances. Now we have the Leningrad. This it it! This system is the most riskiest, newest, and most blood thirstiest system in the dutch. Both sides have to play on there toes , as one slip could cost the game for either side. Endgames are hardly never reached in this sytem for game usually last 30 moves. You have to be on your top at tactics. I wouldn´t recommend weak players to play the dutch and especially the leningrad. However, if you are tacticaly good and accurate with your moves and love blood thirsty battles and hate endgames. Then I seriously recommend you get the book "The Dutch for the Attacking Player" by Steffen Pedersen. It provides you with a full repertoire against any thing that white can throw at you using the Leningrad system. All of whites major replies and sidelines are covered in detail with complete games and provides the logic behind the moves. But let me remind you.... The Leningrad is extremely risky. I hope this review has aided you in which system to play. Keep in mind that this is my opinian. If you like a rock-solid wall of pawns then play the Stonewall. If you like endgames and quiet play, then play the Classical dutch by all means. If you decide to play the Stonewall, please keep in mind the gaping holes you are letting white have.¤

4) Paperback Book Play the Classical Dutch by Gambit Publications. This work by Simon Williams is one of the better opening manuals I´ve seen. The buyers of most opening books are class players who do not have either the time or the need to go through a book jammed packed with variation analysis trees. Williams seems to understand this, and while his book does of course have variation analysis, it is not very cumbersome and is quite easy to go through. Most importantly, in each variation, Williams often explains the key ideas and moves clearly. That said, if you ARE looking for a very detailed book full of analysis trees, this is not the book for you.

For the curious folk, here are the chapters of this book:
1. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...a5
2. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...Qe8
3. The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System with 7...Ne4!
4. Ilyin-Zhenevsky System: Deviations for White
5. Classical Dutch with ...Bb4(+): White Avoids Fianchettoing
6. Classical Dutch with ...Bb4(+): White Fianchettoes
7. Alekhine´s Variation: 6...Ne4!?
8. The Staunton and Other Gambits after 1. d4 f5
9. Early Deviations for White after 1. d4 f5
10. White Avoids d4 - the English Set-Up
11. 1. Nf3 Without c4 or d4, Including the Lisitsyn Gambit
12. Other Lines
Followed by an index of variations

Basically, this book is a short but informative read at 128 pages, and it should leave you prepared to begin playing the Classical Dutch with confidence.¤

5) Paperback Book Play the Classical Dutch by Gambit Publications. The author begins this book with a discussion of the strategic ideas associated with the Dutch defense then shows a mix of older games and more recent games. Each strategic idea is supported by several games with annotations discussing that key strategic idea. One nice aspect of this book is that Simon Williams shows what can happen when Black goes wrong - some from his own games.

The author discusses typical ideas that both sides are likely to want to execute in clear language: perhaps this is one of the benefits of the Dutch defense, it lends itself to clear strategic themes.

One draw back so far is that many of the games are abbreviated. While this is ok for me, I know some people like having complete games to review. This is not to say the author doesn´t include full games, but they are fewer in number than other titles offer.

For folks that include the French in your opening repertoire this is an excellent book. The author shows numerous games beginning with 1...e6 to avoid anti-Dutch lines. For those that play the Nimzo Indian, you will recognize many of the themes discussed as well.¤

6) Paperback Book Play the Classical Dutch by Gambit Publications. The Classical Dutch is a flexible opening that often gives Black dynamic attacking chances. In this book, one of its most enthusiastic adherents explains the workings of his favorite opening, and provides Black with a complete repertoire against 1 d4.

Few opponents will be ready to take on the Classical Dutch, since it has received little attention in chess literature in recent decades. For an opening that has been played by all-time greats such as Korchnoi, Tal and Larsen, the Classical Dutch´s current lack of popularity is puzzling. In this book, Simon Williams shows how Black can obtain counterchances against each of White´s main options. He also provides recommendations against all of White´s alternative approaches against the Dutch, including a variety of sharp possibilities after 1 d4 f5.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 8-Jan-2009, 19019838899781901983883, 201-711-721-271-011-731-891-379-8

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