The Ruy Lopez remains one of the most popular chess openings, both at club level and among top players. In this book, the companion volume to his acclaimed bestseller Bologan’s Black Weapons in the Open Games, Victor Bologan presents a cutting-edge repertoire for Black based on the favourite lines of Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian.
Bologan’s Ruy Lopez for Black is more than just a well laid-out, clearly explained and eminently playable set of responses against the Spanish Opening. Bologan presents TWO different options against every main line. It’s actually two books in one!
Central in Bologan’s repertoire are the Marshall Attack (8...d5) and the Breyer Variation (9...Nb8). The author guides the reader with a steady hand, using a systematic approach and helpful devices such as:
-- A quick guide for those who are new to the Ruy Lopez and have little time
-- The ‘Arsenal of Strategic Ideas’: how pawn structures define important themes
-- The ‘Fast Lane’ repertoire (in every chapter) indicates the minimum you need to know
-- A wealth of new ideas and novelties
-- A clear-cut presentation of tactical motifs
-- Traps & tricks are visually marked
-- Transpositions and move-order subtleties are clearly identified
-- 2200 games referenced and presented in a separate index
-- Lots of practical tips
Victor Bologan has taken the chess opening repertoire book to a next level. He has created a unique instrument of chess instruction for players of almost any playing strength.
Victor Bologan is a world-class grandmaster. His tournament victories include the Aeroflot Open in Moscow and the Dortmund super-tournament. He is the author of acclaimed opening manuals like The Chebanenko Slav, The Rossolimo Sicilian and The Powerful Catalan.
PRAISE FOR 'BOLOGAN'S BLACK WEAPONS IN THE OPEN GAMES':
Martin Rieger, SchachWelt:
"I have verified that this book is up-to-date on the latest theory, and yet the author has injected many of his own ideas. If you play with Black 1...e5 afer 1.e4, you simply cannot ignore this theory work which announces a new era."
IM John Donaldson, ChessToday:
"There is a huge amount of theory in this book, but Bologan presents it in a lively manner and explains things simply and well (..) I give this book a strong recommendation for players of a wide range of playing strengths."
Sean Marsh, CHESS Magazine:
"A 28-page 'Arsenal of Strategic Ideas' is essential reading, setting the whole repertoire in context as regards pawn structures and important themes (..) This is a very impressive book indeed and one which benefits greatly from the extra care and attention devoted on it from the design team."
