The Berlin Variation of the Spanish is one of the most popular openings among world class players. After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 Black can play a completely sound opening based mainly on understanding rather than memorizing theory.Many opneing books make this claim, but the scarcity of forcing lines in the Berlin mean that in this case it is true. The trick is to gain the requisite understanding, and this is where John Cox's eloquent prose comes into its own. After reading his explanations it will be clear why this robust opening has gained the nickname The Berlin Wall.
329 S., kart., 2008
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Bibliography
Part I Understanding the Berlin Wall
Chapter 1 Positional Introduction
Chapter 2 Typical Berlin Endings
Pawn Endings
Knight Endings
Knight vs. dark-squared Bishop
Knight vs. light-squared Bishop
Bishop vs. Knight
Bishops of the same Colour
Opposite-coloured Bishops
Rook Endings
Dark-squared Bishops & Knights
Opposite-coloured Bishops & Knights
Two Knights vs. Bishop & Knight
The Two Bishops
Rooks & dark-squared Bishops
Rook & Knight vs. Rook & Queen's Bishop
Rook & Knight vs. Rook & King's Bishop
Double-rook Endings
Rooks & Bishops of opposite Colours
Endings with three Minor Pieces each
Chapter 3 Positional Themes
The e6 Break
Sacrificing e5
Attacks with the Rook Pawns
The Nd6/f6+ Trick
The Exchange Sacrifice
Capturing on d5
The g4 Trick
The Classical Blockade Set-up
Black's ...Nd4
Correct and incorrect handling of Black's Queenside Pawns
Black's ...Kc6!
Restraining g4 - forestalling it with ...h5-h4
Striking back with ...h5 after g4
Black's ...g5 Thrust
Black's ...f6 Break
...f5: Blockade or Counterattack
Black's ...c4 Break: a Controversial Undoubling
Black's ...b5 Break
Developing Black's Rook with ...a5
Black's ...Nxe5 Trick
Black's ...Bxc3
Black's early King Activation
Part 2 The Theory of the Berlin Wall
Chapter 4 ...Ne7 Systems without h3
Chapter 5 ... Ne7 Systems with h3
Chapter 6 ...Ne7 Systems without an immediate ...Ng6
Chapter 7 ...Bd7 Systems
Chapter 8 ...Be7 Systems
Chapter 9 Berlin Endgame: White Alternatives and Miscellaneous Black Systems
Chapter 10 White Plays 4.d3
Chapter 11 Other White Tries
Index of Variations
Index of Theoretical Games