Peter Wells is a talented British grandmaster who has written several opening books, including a recent work on the Sicilian Rauzer. What I like about Peter's books is his generous use of original analysis and the care he takes to note precisely which variations he prefers and why. The Scotch Game, his latest book, is a much-needed study of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4, an opening that Kasparov has consistently employed, stating that he considers it the only serious alternative to the Ruy Lopez (3.Bb5). When Kasparov speaks, the chess world listens, and any number of top players now regularly employ the Scotch. As Wells comments, this is a strategically rich opening, and I can't think of another weapon versus 1.e4 e5 which is sound, promises as much, and requires relatively modest preparation on White's part.

Since I have done some work on the Scotch with Tal Shaked, and since I recommend it to my students, I was able to assess Well's treatment of some of the critical lines. Tal and I checked a couple of obscure moves which were bothering us, and we were pleased to see that Wells had not only mentioned those moves, but had singled them out for attention. I found Well's analysis and explanation of the main line with 4...Nf6 5.Nxc6 (it's important to note that Wells doesn't examine 5.Nc3, which is a type of Four Knights) 5...bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 not only accurate, but very enlightening. This is a real mess of a line, in which both White and Black apply completely different plans to positions which appear almost identical. Wells makes sense of these fine distinctions, explaining apparently paradoxical moves in language any amateur can understand. He seldom resorts to facile generalities (which don't apply very well to complex openings anyway), and his advice is firmly entrenched in the context of specific positions.

I also reviewed the chapters on 4...Bc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6 6.Qd2 and 4...Qh4 (the move I played as a youngster). Again, the analysis is excellent and original, particularly in the former line. Well's explanations are much more explicit and detailed than in other opening books I have recently reviewed. I think that the improving player will be particularly pleased by the quantity and quality of verbal assistance. This is a luxury that is afforded by having a full-length book on a relatively specialized topic. On the other hand, although there is nothing missing, one can easily imagine more examples and deeper analysis at several junctures; it's simply in the nature of the book (and series) to avoid excursions into eccentric analytical byways. As a result, the reader has plenty to investigate on his own if he should so choose. One minor gripe: I had some trouble locating a few lines which can arise by transposition (e.g., in the main line with 4...Nf6 5.Nxc6, White can play b3, g3, and Nd2 in a number of orders); what ever became of the Index of Variations we used to see in opening books? Having to locate the end of all potentially related chapters in order to scan through a "Chapter Overview" is clearly less convenient. Once again, the organization of material by illustrative games has its drawbacks, although the breakdown of lines in the Scotch is more readily comprehensible than with many openings. As I say, this is really a minor complaint in what is generally a well-organized effort.

In conclusion, The Scotch Game is a genuine contribution to opening theory as well as a marvelously instructive book. I highly recommend it to players of all strengths on either side of this topical opening, as well as to those wishing to adopt the Scotch for the first time.

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