The Zaitsev System is one of the most dynamic setups for Black in the
ever popular Ruy Lopez. Former World Champion Anatoly Karpov
demonstrated the power and the flexibility of the system by scoring some
great victories with it in the 1970s. Karpov had the ins and outs from
the horse s mouth as its inventor, Igor Zaitsev himself, was his
long-time second. Zaitsev had discovered that in the Ruy Lopez often the
best way for Black to fight for an advantage was to play an early...Bb7
and ...Re8 in order to put pressure on White s centre, more specifically
the pawn on e4. When Alexey Kuzmin joined the coaching staff of Karpov
in the 1980s he started analysing the Zaitsev System, and later
continued his investigations as a second of Alexander Morozevich. For
this book he has updated and improved his analysis, and found countless
innovations that change the assessments of many lines. One of the
drawbacks of the Zaitsev, some feel, is that White, if he wishes, can
make a draw by repetition early on. To avoid this possibility, Kuzmin
presents a brand-new weapon, which he calls the Saratov Variation, based
on an early exchange on d4, that was never played by either Karpov or
Morozevich. Kuzmin has written a practical guide for Black with
extensive verbal explanations of the strategic ideas for both sides.
Former World Champion Garry Kasparov once called the Zaitsev System a
revelation . Kuzmin s book, chock-full of novelties and presenting a
most remarkable new plan for Black, can be called a revelation as well.
With a foreword by US Champion Fabiano Caruana, seven-time Russian
Champion Peter, and Grandmaster Igor Zaitsev himself."
