• My aim with the book was to provide you with a lot of insights into this remarkable variation, The Ark, and to entertain the reader with spectacular, resourceful lines to illustrate the ideas. Thus, I must stress that my book should also be interesting for those who just enjoy chess in general, not just for the fans of this line seeking new ideas! Of course, you don’t need to memorize everything to be able to play the variation successfully. Longer lines merely tend to be examples of how the game might develop, which help to enhance your understanding.
    • Black is forced to make an immediate decision on move 3 and wait for the right moment to open the position.
    • On top the author created practical difficulties for the Black. Naturally, it is not possible to find an advantage in every variation but Ravi added many detailed explanations to guide plans and aid understanding in the various positions White encounters.
    • Ravi’s analysis makes Black’s path to equality extremely narrow.
    • Finally, it was important to also consider the less popular second moves (2…g6, 2…a6, and 2…Nf6). In particular, both 3.c3 and 3.c4 against 2…g6 were examined.
    • The latter transposes to an Accelerated Dragon, which the author can justify including in an Anti-Sicilian book as he believe it’s correct to enter an ‘Open-Sicilian’ type position if it benefits anyone. This approach has been emphasized across both volumes and it is made especially clear in the chapter against 2…g6.
  • The French Defense looks to be inexhaustible and there cannot be enough books dedicated to it. This book takes a step in the direction of revitalizing our favorite opening! The authors have decided to set the book in order from the less to the more popular and complex lines.In the case of the most popular moves 3. e5, Nd2 and 3. Nc3, we decided to offer two options for Black – one aims to lead to calm play, taking care first with finding balance and equalizing. Needless to say, we wish to arm the reader in all scenarios that can arise in a game of chess, depending on their intentions, wishes, preparation, motivation level, standings et
  • I like the fact that a publisher has now been found to compile his best stories. The biggest names pass by: Kasparov, Karpov, Timman, Carlsen, Polgar, Kortchnoi, Anand, Caruana, Giri, Hou Yifan… This is just a sample, all portrayed at a time when they were in the spotlight in one way or another. The power of a good interviewer is that he prepares well. And that is what Gert does. Moreover, he is also conscientious in the elaboration of his stories. He checks facts and calls or emails the interviewee if something is not clear to him or needs explanation. I hope the reader enjoys reading this book. Jeroen van den Berg
  • Here is what has been added to this edition:
    • More accurate and extensive annotations using ChessBase and Stockfish 14.
    • Torre’s own annotations to several games have been unearthed and added.
    • Added games to give a more rounded view of Torre. Also the six games between players other than Torre that he annotated for the Mexican Championship tournament book.
    • Many more diagrams and photographs. Also more thumbnail bios of Torre’s opponents.
    • More ancillary material about Torre’s life and career: newspaper articles, pictures, anecdotes, interesting facts, opinions, trivia etc.
    • A 1927 interview with Torre, published in the Yucatán magazine Anahuac.
    • Excerpts from 64 Variaciones Sobre un Tema de Torre by Germán de la Cruz.
    • Columns and articles from newspapers in Torre’s home town of Mérida.
    • “A Clash of Opposites,” comparing and contrasting Torre with the notorious Norman Tweed Whitaker.
    • The full text of Torre’s 1926 booklet Development of Chess Ability.
    • A review of Torre x Torre, a fascinating documentary film.
    • A more extensive, more fully informed overall assessment of Torre as a player.
    The Life and Games of Carlos Torre – Gabriel Velasco & Taylor Kingston – 588 pages.

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