CHESS EXPLAINED: THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
Author: James Rizzitano
Gambit Publications (2007)
www.gambitbooks.com
128 pages
$23.95

Reviewed by John Donaldson

CHESS EXPLAINED: THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED is the fourth book by New England IM James Rizzitano for Gambit, and once again he has a winner. Per the CHESS EXPLAINED template, Rizzitano has analyzed 24 model games -- this time after the sequence 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3. Openings covered include the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, the Tarrasch Defense, the Ragozin and Vienna Variations, Semi-Tarrasch, Cambridge Springs, the Lasker, Tartakover and Classical Defenses.
 
Understandably in a book of this size, the big picture is emphasized over small details, but in the midst of ably explaining the basics Rizzitano offers some tasty nuggets. One example is in Khalifman's recommendation against the Tarrasch (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bg5 cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Rc1 Bf8 13.Na4 Bd7 14.Nc5 Bxc5 15.Rxc5 Qe7. Now, instead of 16.Rc1 or 16.Qc1, Rizzitano proposes 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Rc2 Ne4 18.Qd4 a5 18.Rfc1, which looks like a small but enduring pull for White.
 
The Ragozin, Vienna, and Semi-Tarrasch rarely get much coverage but Rizzitano does a good job of summarizing what is important. After going through Sharavdorj-Atalik, Berkeley 2005, the student will appreciate that the hard-working Turkish GM has breathed new life into the Semi-Tarrasch that Lev Polugaevsky placed in the doghouse four decades ago.
 
Like other book in the CHESS EXPLAINED series, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED will appeal to a wide range of players from 1800-2400.
 
Recommended.

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