Fllg wrote on 12/23/11 at 21:29:14:


I rather think that the writer meant to write 'the same as'.
Many non-native speakers here. English as International Language (EIL) paradigm. In such cases language is often more direct, nuances lost. Some inadvertent offence not surprising, we have to try to read positively looking for intended projected meaning. Suspect this here. Certainly reads that way.

Alterman lectures were cheerful, but too wishy-washy, Dzinzi habit of leaving key stuff out. As an example, The Milner Barry French series was notable for that.
Seems as though the Black Gambit Book may be better produced, more rigorous. Will have a look.

Willempie wrote on 12/14/11 at 22:53:23:

What line does he reccommend against the English? I'm thinking of buying it but I want to be sure it ins't a copy of Pedersen's "Play The Benko Gambit".

Just got the book from the real santaclaus. It looks very good. I just browsed through it and it would seem like a good mix between explanation and theory.
The meat is the Benko, Blumenfeld and the "Vaganian" and the rest is about d4-specials (torre and the likes) and the English defense. Seems like he is quite good at "teaching by example".

Will come back after I have actually done more than just browsing

Or perhaps http://www.chesscafe.com/text/skittles415.pdf

Mark, your link is to an article focusing on  Jennifer Shahade's excellent book, Chess Bitch. I really enjoyed the book, but I don't see what it has to do with this discussion.

How does Alterman's book compare to Play the Benko by Nicolai Pedersen ? Do they cover exactly the same ground ? Am I right in thinking that the Pedersen book is aimed at a higher graded audience with more experience of these openings ?

In that case, as I mentioned, Alterman gives excellent instruction for the "starting out" group. But I guess I expect the very best books not only to provide a good explanation of the opening but also "secret" weapons that the owner of the book can use to good effect.

Again, I really do think Alterman's instruction is excellent on ICC, it just doesn't go the next step.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 11/01/11 at 10:33:48:

I just think the same. The "Gambit Guide" is mostly a motivation series. On the other hand I really love this style of presentation and it strongly reminds me to Moskalenko's French books (he also feels free to sidestep critical moments if they are not convinient to him). But (and this may go for Alterman's books as well): we are not Super-GMs but mere amateurs and as a starting point - to become familiar with various opening lines - this kind of presentation (I would even say: he should not point out flaws to deeply - because then you miss your own way of investigation which is needed to really understand what is going on.) is optimal for the target audience of ICC.