The Ultimate Closed Sicilian by Gary Lane

Batsford 2001 176 D8 pages $39.00 The Closed Sicilian is regarded as a good way to meet the Sicilian Defence because it is reliable, with potential for kingside attacks and leads to middlegames where White has an easy plan. It has been played regularly by ex-World Champions Smyslov and Spassky with success. This has inspired another generation of stars to use it at the highest level, including Adams, Short and Ivanchuk. Author Gary lane explains the ideas behind the Closed Sicilian, discusses all the important variations, with the emphasis on the key ideas and how these can be used in the middlegame to make it easy for those with limited time to study.The book covers: The tricks and traps in the opening for both players The basic plan and strategies using model games How to play the middlegame by following easy plans International Master Gary Lane is a hardened tournament competitor and former Commonwealth Champion. An experienced and successful chess coach he has written a number of best selling books for Batsford including The Grand Prix Attack, Beating the French and Winning with the Closed Sicilian. He lives in Sydney.