Everyman Chess's Starting Out series has firmly established itself as
the leading guide to studying openings for up-and-coming players. These
books are distinguished by their easy-to-read layout, the lucid
explanations of the fundamentals, and the abundance of notes, tips and
warnings to help the reader absorb vital ideas. Now brought together in
one volume are...Starting Out: The Pirc/Modern by Joe Gallagher. The
very closely linked Pirc and Modern Defences are dynamic systems that
are favoured by ambitious, counter-attacking players. Black plays very
much in a hypermodern fashion, allowing White to build an unopposed pawn
centre with the idea of plotting its eventual downfall. In this
revolutionary book, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to basics,
studying the fundamental principles of the Pirc/Modern and its numerous
variations. In this revolutionary book, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes
back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Pirc/Modern
and its numerous variations. Starting Out: The Modern by Nigel Davies.In
this book, Davies studies the Modern by going back to basics,
introducing the key moves and ideas, and taking care to explain the
reasoning behind them - something that has often been neglected or taken
for granted. The Modern Defence is a dynamic, ambitious and universal
opening, one that can be used against virtually every system White can
play. Black's provocative strategy is based upon allowing White to
construct an imposing pawn centre in the anticipation that a well-timed
strike will bring about its downfall. Both sides can play for high
rewards, albeit at some risk: White can hope to succeed with a direct
attack or to squash Black with a space advantage, while Black will aim
to destroy White's centre and mop up the remains. All in all this can
lead to intriguing battles in which one slip from either side is often
fatal..
