A Cunning Chess Opening for Black: Lure Your Opponent into the Philidor Swamp

Offers a broad as well as deep fundament for this unusual variation.

An excellent opening book. Kasparov has a fresh style, and not only presents variations and deviations, but above all the plans and counterplans.--B. Wilders, Nederlands Dagblad

As usual, Sergey Kasparov prefers gentle explanations to a labyrinth of variations. Kasparov's easy-reading style will appeal to those seeking a solid grounding.--Grandmaster Glenn Flear, author of Starting Out: Open Games

Kasparov analyzes in a lively style that appeals directly to the reader.

One-stop shopping for those looking for an answer to 1.e4. Everything the reader needs to meet 1.e4 will be found in this volume. This book has much more explanatory prose than the typical opening treatise.--John Donaldson, International master

A timely textbook with some surprising touches of humor.--British Chess Magazine

Right from the off Black offers a queenless middlegame, but it is easy to outplay an inexperienced white opponent. The Lesser Kasparov (still a grandmaster in his own right) is concentrating on the typical plans and maneuvers rather than becoming overly bogged down in theory. How many players with the white pieces will have prepared thoroughly for these lines? Not many, that's for sure.--CHESS Magazine

Grandmaster Sergey Kasparov presents an original and shrewd opening for Black against 1.e4, the most popular opening move among amateurs.
After Black’s third move, White is confronted with a stark choice: either to continue on the road of the calm Philidor Defence, or to immediately gain almost two tempi by forcing Black into an endgame that looks better for White, if not close to winning.
This second option, however, is a treacherous road. White will walk into the Philidor Swamp in which he runs a big risk of getting stuck.
Sergey Kasparov’s style is fresh and humorous. He does not bother the amateur reader with variations of 15 or 20 moves deep, but concentrates on the plans and counterplans for both Black and White.