Beskrivelse
The Najdorf Sicilian is one of Black’s most respected and popular responses to 1 e4. It was favoured by those two titans of the game, Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov and in the modern game it features in the repertoire of many elite players. This rich opening creates a wealth of opportunities for vigorous attacks, causing most games to be tense and engaging. The Najdorf is that very rare thing – an opening for Black that is highly aggressive but is also recognised as being objectively sound.
In this book, FIDE Master John Doknjas and National Master Joshua Doknjas navigate through the main lines of the Najdorf and provide the reader with well-researched, fresh, and innovative analysis. Each annotated game has valuable lessons on how to play the opening, and contains instructive commentary on typical middle-game plans. With thorough variations and explanations on pawn structures and piece placement, this book provides insight to both strong masters and less experienced players alike.
The format is ideal for the chessplayer keen to improve their game. While reading you are continually challenged to answer probing questions – a method that greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of chess knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study chess while providing the best possible chance to retain what has been learnt.
Reviews
The names of the Doknjas brothers may not be that well-known outside their native Canada but kudos to Everyman Chess for commissioning this impressive Najdorf Repertoire. Overall this is a cutting edge black reportoire.
This book should appeal to a wide range of chess players and fans of the Sicilian. Understanding a rich mainline opening like the Najdorf can be important for general chess improvement, and can be a formidable weapon even at the elite level. It is no surprise that this opening has been the choice of many great chess players, and this book makes it accessible to club players
The Najdorf has a reputation for being a theoretical monster. Indeed entire books have been written on single variations (6.Bg5 and 6.Be3), but the two young masters from British Columbia have done an excellent job of making this book accessible to the layman without dumbing things down. Model games, plenty of questions and answers and extensive explanatory prose throughout make this a terrific book to learn from for all but professional players.
“The Najdorf is a difficult opening to write about, especially when publishing a book for the first time, but John and Joshua Doknjas surpassed expectations and delivered a wonderful piece of work. Each one of the chosen games are very instructive and well annotated, covering a variety of different lines. The exercises and questions are a fantastic supplement to the sample games and allow the reader to gain a better understanding of the opening”
FIDE Master Jason Cao 2010 World U10 Champion
Opening Repertoire: The Sicilian Najdorf is a must-read for any aspiring chess player who wishes to deepen their understanding of this complex opening. John and Joshua Doknjas, two young Canadian masters, have extensive experience playing the Najdorf against titled players on the international stage. For the first time, they reveal a treasure trove of opening secrets that they have discovered through their own praxis and research
National Master Josh Sinanan President, Washington Chess Federation
“I highly recommend this volume by two fine young master chessplayers from British Columbia, Canada. I can’t wait to see what their next book will cover if this is typical of what we can expect from them.”
“When I was asked to review this book, I thought I was doing John and Joshua Doknjas a favor by writing it; after all, I am a grandmaster with more than 20 years of experience in the Najdorf, on both sides of the board. I was curious what the book could offer me. I jumped immediately to the chapter featuring my life-long pet line (with both colors), the English Attack… and I almost instantly fell in love with the book. Easy to read, yet covering all the critical lines, well-chosen sample games, thorough engine analysis where needed, and, maybe the most important asset: a crystal-clear, “human” explanation of the ideas and plans.”
“The Doknjas brothers penned a comprehensive repertoire book on one of the most complex openings, and managed to make it a good read as well as an in-depth research.
This is the first such massive work for the Doknjas brothers, and as often happens in these cases – you see a lot of passion for the work and it resulted in a book that will be useful for both club players and Grandmasters.”
“Every now and then there comes a book that just makes things simple and understandable. This book is one such rare gem…
If you would like to develop an appreciation for this complex opening, improve your general understanding of the game, and have an enjoyable read, then this book is for you, whether you are a weekend club player or a seasoned grandmaster.”
