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Last update: Friday June 3, 2005 9:44
by Colin Crouch
Everyman, 220 pages, £15.99
Experienced
author Dr Colin Crouch tackles a neglected area in chess literature in the art
of defence in this work. The book is subtitled "learn from the World Champions",
especially with reference to the games of Lasker and Petrosian.
Crouch starts by covering "the principles of defence", in which, by following the historical developments in the ability and desire of players to defend, he explores the main methods of defence. For Lasker and Petrosian, the two World Champions with a legendary reputation for defending, Crouch examines ten complete games in which our heroes, especially Lasker, are usually up against the ropes. These games are very well annotated in great detail, largely because Crouch seeks to explain the ideas and purposes behind most of the moves. Important concepts are well emphasised with good use of italics, whilst there are also more lightly annotated games to illustrate further the defensive methods employed in them.
Crouch clearly has huge admiration for both his subjects, as too will readers after studying this very readable work. Lasker and Petrosian both defended in different ways, with the former usually opting for a tactical melee when in trouble, whilst the latter made great use of prophylaxis to ensure that he rarely got into major trouble. These two techniques, when applied to readers' own games, will certainly make it much harder for your opponents to convert their promising positions. As well as this, readers will also learn much more, such as the co-ordination of their pieces even in difficult situations, which will greatly benefit their all-round game.
In an age with so much emphasis in chess literature on 'Winning' and 'Attacking' it is pleasant to see defence, which is at least as important as attack, receiving its fair due. Credit must also go to Everyman for allowing Crouch to pay homage to, and explore the techniques of, his chess heroes.
Reviewed by Richard Palliser