Forlagets omtale

Are you searching for a new weapon against 1 e4? Look no further - choose the Killer Sicilian!

In this book, opening expert Tony Rotella presents a Sicilian repertoire for Black, the backbone of which consists of the Kalashnikov Variation. The Kalashnikov is an ideal choice for those looking to take up the Sicilian. Black follows an easy-to-learn system of development, with clear strategic aims. What's more, in many lines Black can choose between aggressive and positional options. It's no coincidence that the Kalashnikov has attracted such attacking talents as World Championship candidate Teimour Radjabov and multi-time US Champion Alexander Shabalov.

Rotella critically examines the main lines and lucidly explains the key positional and tactical ideas for both sides. He also shows what Black should do against White's various Anti-Sicilian options. Read this book and unleash the Killer Sicilian!

A Killer Sicilian repertoire for Black
Also includes Anti-Sicilian coverage
Packed with new ideas and critical analysis.

Utdrag fra forordet til Alex Shabalov

Most Kalashnikov players graduate to 4...e5 after years of playing the Sveshnikov (which seems to be a necessary prerequisite), though it was the other way around in my career. I started to look for ways to organize my cock tail of the French/Alekh ine/Pirc and ten differ- The Killer Sicilian 8 ent Sicilians into something more predictable in the mid-nineties. My only condition was the possibility of an early ...f5. That’s how I came across the game Lutz-Kramnik from the Bundesliga in 1996 (see Chapter 4, Line B2 to check out the game). This game was a quick draw, but the concept was absolutely de lightful and I was instantly hooked. I worked out a few of the critical lines, which marked the beginning of my ongoing love/hate relationship with the opening. It took me about 5-6 years to become fully com- fortable playing with the ‘eternally’ weak d5-sq uare, at which point I switched to the full- fledged Sveshnikov in the mid 2000’s as my ma in opening. The Clas sical Sveshnikov and Accelerated Sveshnikov are psychologically di fferent lines, and so when the Classical Sveshnikov abruptly fell out of fashion arou nd 2011 (11 c4 being the main reason), the Kalashnikov did not suffer collate ral damage. Everyone who played it before kept on play- ing it.

I did not know what to expect when Tony asked me to look at his new book. The subject was still too touchy for me, a super-nostalgic reminder of the glory days. All my doubts dis- appeared when I first opened the book. First of all, this is an old world, classical chess open- ing book – the kind no one does any more. And by that I mean there are indeed words, and a lot of words, not just cold, obsc ure lines and computer assessments. It’s a delightful read, the kind of book yo u should study in the comfort of your home with some warm tea and other extras. There’s no rating range for those who want to study this book, from a grandmaster down to a beginne r who is finally ready to answer 1 e4 with something other than 1...e5. A nice invention is the key takeaways at the end of each chap- ter, a real treat for people with chess Alzheimer’ s like me. If you’ve decided to switch to the Kalashnikov from a non-Sicilian opening, here again Tony takes care of you, as all possible lines after 1 e4 c5 are covered. This is a gigantic work packed into a very attractive form, encyclopedic in nature and practical in use. This book is not a quick fix manual, but if you are ready to invest some time into the legendary Kalashnikov, it will he lp you gain a friend for life.