Even though I'm an avid reader of NEW IN CHESS MAGAZINE (the greatest chess magazine of all time), I find it hard to look over everything in their pages (it usually has over 100 information packed pages an issue). Thus, I pick and choose carefully, depending on what events and articles highlight that specific mag. Things I always check out are the letters column, the book reviews, and Bosch's SOS opening surprises.

If others enjoy the SOS column as much as I do, then it's no surprise that Bosch took note of its popularity and put his old articles together under "one roof," updating them so they end with the latest theory. This new book covers a lot of territory: Various a2-a3 opening surprises (called "The Left Hook a3!?), surprising Bishop moves, early Queen moves, SOS pawn thrusts, and more. The openings covered are: the Sicilian, the French, the Pirc and Modern, the Scandinavian, Alekhine's Defense, the Trompowski, the Lisitsin Gambit, the Dutch Defense, the Four Knights double king pawn, etc.

The crux of Bosch's column (and book) is to present new and often surprising ideas in important, mainstream openings. This, of course, is appealing since everyone enjoys crushing their less "educated" opponents with a strong but little known opening concept.

Hope springs eternal in a chess player's heart, and new moves as early as move five are always attractive. However, two important questions must be asked: are the recommendations worthwhile and are these new ideas in lines that would actually occur in real games involving non-professional players? The answer to both is yes.

Let's take the following common moves in a Pirc Defense: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 and now the SOS move is the silly looking 5.a3!?.

ARE THEY KIDDING?

This might seem like a loss of tempo, but the idea is to prevent Black's most popular line with 5.c5. This occurs after 5.Nf3 c5 6.dxc5 Qa5 when the threat of .Nxe4 allows Black to recapture on c5 with his Queen. However, after 5.a3, this same line doesn't work: 5.c5 6.dxc5 Qa5 7.b4. There are other justifications for 5.a3 too, but I think you'll find this line to be well worth a try, and likely to leave your opponent in an immediate state of confusion!

These "shock" moves and the ideas behind them are backed up by detailed analysis and the latest master games. Other lines that are explored:

1.e4 c5 2.c3 (the very popular Alapin) 2.Qa5!?.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.a3, while the Four Knights for Black is given a boost via 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bd6!?.

And for lovers of the Accelerated Dragon, how about 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Bh6!?.

And how about 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bb5 and now 4.Bd6!? when 5.Bxc6 dxc6 immediately gives Black an excellent game.

Afraid of the Dutch? Well, your prayers have been answered: 1.d4 f5 2.Qd3!? when 2.d6 3.g4!? fxg4 4.h3 gives White a lot of compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

I especially liked an idea against the following sharp, combative Black system: 1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Bg4 The late Tony Miles made a living with this line, and the crazed attacker Julian Hodgson also racked up many points with it. Fortunately, SOS gives us the perfect answer: 3.Qd3!?. This stops Black from doubling White's pawns, prepares e2-e4, and also threatens to win a pawn by Qb5+.

Looking for something odd to play against the pesky Alekhine's Defense? Here it is: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 exd6 6.Nc3 Be7 and now Viktor Korchnoi's 7.Qf3!?.

Even more bizarre is a new anti-Sveshnikov idea: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 Nb8 9.Qf3!?. This creates all sorts of tactical and positional threats based on Qc3 and/or Qa3.

Is this all? No, not by a long shot. There is LOTS more! A whole repertoire is given against 1.Nf3 via 1.b5!?. Thirty-six pages of analysis and games shows you how to deconstruct the French Defense by 1.e4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4!?. The Kupreichik Variation in the Sicilian is given a serious look (over thirty-one pages!). This line occurs after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bd7!?.

And the ideas go on and on and on. Every line mentioned has tactical and/or strategic justification, and can be used with confidence. Yes, some of them will be nullified over time, but you'll enjoy a hell of a ride before that happens.

Fun, practical, and instructive, SECRETS OF OPENING SURPRISES is useful for players 1400 and up.