Thanks for replies!

I wonder how this book compares with Aagaard's "Experts vs Sicilian". In intro of the book author stresses that given repertoire has fluidness with other recommended lines. That should be very good.

As Sicilian Alapin (2.c3) player, I do wonder if I should buy this book and to skip on mainline Sicilian. I'm at 2100, but will I breach Elo 2200 if I study this book, regarding Silian mainlines.

Thanks, all good comments are welcome!

The repertoire is based primarily around the English Attack setup f3, Be3, Qd2 and 0-0-0, as stated in the given pdf excerpt. To cover such an aggressive and theoretical setup in a repertoire book is very ambitious, but in my view entirely justified. To answer rossia's question in the other thread here, it looks like this book is aimed at 1600-2200 players, although I will certainly purchase a copy.

I will be particularly interested in de la Villa's opinion on the English Attack against the Najdorf, since the large number of recent Yearbook surveys on lines such as 8...Be7 9.f3 h5, 9...0-0 and 8...Bb4 9.f3 0-0 suggest that Black should fully equalise.

The text is now changed to "Former Spanish Champion and successful chess coach Jesus de la Villa presents a complete repertoire for White after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3."

I would have to guess that it's a typo. I would hazard a guess that this is just a translation and update of his Spanish book, "Desmontando la Siciliana". I doubt he'll write a new repertoire on the Closed or the Grand Prix. No one would buy that garbage! 

You can find information on New in Chess' website, Book publishing program.

They state: "Former Spanish Champion and successful chess coach Jesus de la Villa presents a complete repertoire for White after 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3. Each variation is clearly organized with its history, ideas, statistics, examples of tactics and strategies, and instructive games."

But a close look at the book's cover shows a white pawn on e4 and Knight on f3 against a black pawn on c5. So, there is still hope for the Open Sicilian addicts!

Watsonfox wrote on 07/17/09 at 09:36:41:


Indeed, although this doesn't rule out the Open Sicilian if White follows up with 3.Nf3/3.Nge2 and 4.d4.

However, it may be better from a marketing point of view to provide an Anti-Sicilian repertoire, as such a repertoire could be covered in more detail and with more new ideas for White than a repertoire book on the Open Sicilian. Personally I would prefer an Open Sicilian repertoire, though.

MilenPetrov wrote on 05/30/09 at 15:12:30:


well there is always the odd chance that they might have an idea that will improve your opening repertoire...