I first met Davies in the jungles of Brazil where we shared many adventures (descending into Iguassu Falls via helicopter, being ganged up on by dozens of coatimundis, enjoying a rodeo put on by some very friendly gauchos, fighting off a demented mime dressed as Hitler, etc.). Since that mutual expedition (seemingly a lifetime ago) Nigel has gotten his grandmaster title, made a name for himself as a skilled chess trainer, and demonstrated that he's a chess writer who must be taken seriously (Click to see reviews of his excellent books on the ALEKHINE'S DEFENSE and GRUNFELD DEFENSE).

In his earlier books, Davies has shown that he's not afraid to challenge accepted theory. He continues this wonderful pattern here and, as a result, gives us a fresh and encouraging look at an opening that I had previously held only disdain for (Check out my review of Gufeld & Stetsko's RICHTER-VERESOV for a glimpse into my opinion of the Veresov.).

After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 Black's best move is thought to be 3.Nbd7 when White can go for broke with 4.f3 (which is considered to be the main line), or play more slowly with 4.Nf3. Nigel analyzes both these moves in depth, but also makes a serious case for quick queenside castling by 4.Qd2 or 4.Qd3 (though he feels the Queen is best played to this square after 4.Nf3).

I'll use this opportunity to mention a game I once played against the Veresov. It shows the kind of sharp, original positions that can occur, and should whet the appetite of attacking players looking for a surprise opening that, according to Davies, has far more going for it than modern books suggest.

Santa Barbara, 1988

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 Nbd7 4.f3 c5 (Black's main - very promising - alternative is 4.c6 5.e4 dxe4 6.fxe4 e5. I had successfully used this 4.c6-formula in the past but decided to try something different on this particular occasion.) 5.e4 (The best reaction. Taking on c5 seems nice for Black after 5.dxc5 Qa5 6.Bxf6 Nxf6 7.Qd4 e5! 8.Qxe5+ Be6 9.e5 Bxc5.) 5.dxe4 6.d5! (Turning the game into a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Davies thinks this is preferable to the often-played 6.fxe4 Qa5 7.Bxf6 exf6! when Black appears to be doing very well.) 6.exf3 7.Nxf3 (The most natural move. Davies also takes a look at 7.Qxf3 and 7.Qd2!? fxg2 8.Qxg2 with compensation in both cases.) 7.g6 8.Qd2 Bg7 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Be2 (Most likely too slow. Davies main line with 10.Bh6 led to an unfortunate result for Black: 10.Bh6 Re8 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.h4 h5 13.Qg5 a6 14.Bd3 b5 15.Ne2 Rh8 16.Nf4 Rh6 17.Bxg6! Rxg6 18.Qxg6+, 1-0, Kuijf-Hoeksema, Netherlands 1987. In my opinion, 10.Re8 was an error. Improvements shouldn't be hard to find. But then again, I'm a greedy guy and am always happy to take the extra pawn!) 10.a6 11.h4 b5 12.Qf4 (A risky move that purposely courts some very intense complications.) 12.Nh5 13.Qe3 Ng3 14.d6 Bf6 15.Ne4 Nxh1 16.dxe7 Bxe7 17.Ne5 (Quite an original concept. I remember enjoying the game at this point since, win/lose/or draw, it was going to be fun!) 17.Qe8 (17...Re8!? was also possible) 18.Nxd7 (This came as a relief since I'd prepared the refutation on move 19 several moves back. I was far more worried about 18.Rxd7 Bxd7 19.Bf6 Ng3 20.Qh6 Nf5 21.Ng4 when we arrive at an amazing position.

BLACK'S KING SEEMS SURROUNDED!

Everyman Chess has recently published a startling amount of wonderful books. From Kasparov's MY GREAT PREDECESSORS (click to see Donaldson's review of that book) to the "WINNING CHESS" series by Seirawan (click to see Donaldson's review of this fine series) to fine opening books like Lalic's THE MARSHALL ATTACK, to the excellent STARTING OUT series (click to see Bauer's and Watson's reviews of STARTING OUT: THE KING'S INDIAN), we see an impressive mix of numbers and quality. At the moment, the "race" of chess publishers has Gambit and Everyman as the two at the top of the hill.

As for Davies' THE VERESOV, Everyman has yet another success on its hands. His nice mix of analysis, discussion, and explanation makes this book worthwhile for players from 1700 to international level. It's THE book to own if you play this opening for white, or if you need to know how to meet it as black.