Markovich wrote on 11/02/09 at 17:46:22:


Chess Central https://www.chesscentral.com/ seams to have both of them. I just ordered band A and B.

Have both of them. Fabulous books, incredibly instructive.

And well done Herr Keilhack - cracking 1.Nc3 book.

Do wish you would write more....

Hello to everybody,

I’m the publisher and editor of this two-volume-book.

Ksieski: Sizilianisch mit d6 und e6 (Scheveningen and related)

It was back in 1998, nearly ancient times (with the regard of the developing of software), Ksieski’s computer skills had been close to zero, mine were just developing.

Ksieski already had a contract with another publisher, but this publisher was just vanishing.

When I first saw the manuscript, it was clear that it was a work of love written by a great mind – but, as well, written by a somewhat chaotic mind. You know, the Scheveningen is notorious for it’s numerous and lengthy transpositions/transitions, and the systematic of this manuscript was just a mess.

Well, of the positive side, it’s one of my stronger sides to be „systematic“ (somewhat in difference to those who have a great inspiration, but the cooperation between systematic thinkers and inspired thinkers can result in the best efforts!).

So, I brought the manuscript in a (hopefully) sensible order and made some (small) additions – you might know, from the discussion of Ftacnik’s new book on the Najdorf (including the Classical Scheveningen), how easy it is to make serious omissions.

Btw, Ksieski himself often starts the Scheveningen with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 (allowing 5.Nb5, which leads to different positions), which adds to the confusion.

So, as being rather self-critic, I didn’t fully trust the theoretical part of the book myself. While I consider the first part (Volume A), which covers typical motifs (manouvers and pawn-thrusts), typical kind of attacks, typical counter-play and typical endings as a timeless classic. While I was more doubtful about the rather theoretical Volume B.

It happens that I run out of Volume A after relatively short time. I didn’t hesitate to re-print it. It was quite some time later when I run out of Volume B. I feared that this Volume was not perfect, and also I feared it was out-dating.

Maybe the last fear was quite exaggerated and a mis-judgement by me. At least the rather fast developing English Attack was ridicolously dated just two years ofter publishing. Whereas the Classical Scheveningen (and more, it’s playing principles!) still today is rather unchanged (which may be partly because it was ahead of time then thanks to Kasparov’s efforts). Only a few ideas like 12.a5 in one of the tabyas had not been known then.

So, I have less than none copies left of Volume B. And I doubt any other sellers have.
Volume A is still available, the stock is not very large but sufficient. And – Volume A can be studied indepently from Volume B, and should still be a nice addition to the works of Emms, Ftacnik and others (Emms: Najdorf Scheveningen Style is still a favourite of mine).

I have just order Band A.  Anybody know where Band B can be obtained?

Phil Adams wrote on 11/01/09 at 17:19:15:



thanks for the Suba reference. Adjorans slightly unussual books also contain a few Scheveningen nuggets.

I'm drawn to the Scheveningen because I feel it is an opening where understanding matters. Stereotyped play will get you in a lot of trouble in my experience. Still it would be nice to have a book where all the different move-orders are discussed. Transpositions everywhere which gives me the uneasy feeling that I might miss a few ... .

Try Emms's book, How to Play the Najdorf, Scheveningen Style. 

Or wait for the Ftacnik book that is supposed to come out next year.

I think so,... but as I said I put them away as I am not a big theory dog,... The problem with the sicilian is NOT the sicilian, (even though Keres called it the Silicide Defence), it is / are all the 'other' systems (e.g. GP Attack, Smith Morra, Moscow, Bc4, KIA) you have to learn to just get your head around it.  I would recommend the Romanian GM's book though for these out of Sicilian type universes.  GM Rogazin -- please forgive spelling.  Really handles all the possible systems and ideas for black.  And is objectively superior to any other books on the market for white.

In closing,... I am more surprised when I see the Sicilian proper on the board then excited that I am going to get to play a dynamic and interesting game,... So I put the books away for now as it is too discouraging to try and keep up with the tomes of theory on just the GP Attack alone.

anyway,... hope the above helps,... the polish books are by far the best and most complete,... They are probably not translated into english because they would put a whole lot of other publishing companies whose soul purpose is to sell opening novelle out of business. 

Recommendation:// If you want to play the Sicilian, buy, beg or borrow the two vol set of Polish Wisdom and find the Romanian GM book about the 'other' Sicilians.  And then pray for your opponent to play e4, but also pray hard that you live long enough to learn all the material in the aforementioned books.

good luck, and good night