Vlastimil Jansa

Dynamics of Chess Strategy by GM Jansa (Czech grandmaster) was translated into English in 2003 by Batsford.

It fills a niche in chess literature, being a most accessible detailed middle game planning aid. From the end of the opening phase, the reasons and ideas behind opening up fronts or making concrete plans and counter-plans together with the meaning of move orders, are presented for three openings in great depth. The Spanish, The Grunfeld, and The Sicilian Scheveningen.

More important than having 2016's latest fad or fashion in opening is having such an accessible grandmasterly guide to the middle game. Many games are interspersed with questions for you to pause and take stock. What is going on? A) the position is equal B) white is better C) Black is better or a question in the Spanish might run, Q: White attacked Black's points b5 and c7 pawns but Black found a way to defend them. It is necessary to increase the pressure and find other means of access. Can you find the sensitive Achilles' heel of Black's position?

As someone who took up the Spanish opening as Black, and who opens with the "right hand" these days as white, the Spanish chapter is invaluable to my understanding of the middle game.

I am in such a hurry to recommend this book even before I finish or come to the Grunfeld or Scheveningen parts.

Ideal for anyone betweeen 1500-2100. (At the higher end, it cannot hurt to look at Jansa's excellent questions)… (meer)