The Queen's Gambit & Catalan for Black

Every chess-player needs a reliable defense against the Queens Pawn Opening. The fundamental question is whether to go all-out for counterplay which may involve a great deal of risk or to adopt a more solid classical approach and first carefully neutralize Whites iniative. This book shows the potential of the latter approach. By defending the Queens Gambit Declined Black puts a firm road-block in the way of Whites ambitions. If as often happens when faced by a sturdy defense White becomes careless or impatient Black is ready to break out and seize the initiative. Janjgava also shows how Whites more hyper-modern Catalan treatment can be met with the same strategy and explains how once Black has equalized he can unbalance the position and play for a win.