There hasn’t been a “complete” guide to the Sozin Variation of the Sicilian since the Harding/Botterill/Kottnauer collaboration way back in 1974. Chess Informant published two useful volumes – one by Akopian and one by Beliavsky & Mihalchisin – back in 1995 and 1996, but it’s just not the same as Golubev’s in-depth study.

THE SICILIAN SOZIN is all about the position that arrives after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bc4 (both kingside and queenside castling for White are explored), though he also takes a thorough look at the Najdorf move order: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4.

When it comes to serious opening books, it’s very important that the author knows his stuff, and this is clearly the case here (so many opening books are cranked out by players who have little or no interest in the variations they’re writing about!). Golubev’s obsession with White’s chances, and the years of hard work he’s devoted to mastering this very sharp system, gives all the variations a compelling edge.

The author’s “verve” also allows us to formulate a “strategy” for studying this particular book: since Golubev has “doe-eyes” for White’s chances, never accept the first player’s superiority if you are studying this line for Black – challenge every verdict he gives! If you are playing this for White, try not to fall victim to his infectious enthusiasm. It’s great knowing you’re part of the home team, but blindly following all his recommendations without verifying their worth will only get you into trouble (actually, this “don’t believe anything” philosophy is a must for every opening book!).

Golubev’s introduction is excellent and will make you a believer in White’s scheme long before you reach the meat of the book. He covers everything of importance, brings all lines up to date (extremely important in the case of such hyper-sharp systems as the Velimirovic Attack and Bc4 against the Najdorf), and even gives the reader lots of original analysis.

This is a must buy for players 1900 or higher that play 6.Bc4 for White, or face it as Black. I especially liked his coverage of 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bc4 Qb6 (40 pages on the Benko Variation!), a line that is favored by Kramnik and seems to give Black plenty of chances (though the author does some chest thumping at the end of that chapter, trying to draw his flock back to the White side of the equation).

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