Khalifman/Soloviov: Squeezing the Sicilian - Alapin Variation UpdateSN_required false and when should we switch

and when should we switch to an endgame

A good understanding of positional play is essential for a well-trained chess player

and Carlsen extract maximum value from limited resources through systematic position reading

b4 (Chapter 1)

“The first major biographical study of Capablanca in over 25 years”— Mind's Eye Press

Khalifman/Soloviov: Squeezing the Sicilian - Alapin Variation UpdateSN_required false and when should we switchAdvance with d2 d4, build a solid pawn centre and then dictate the play. In the Alapine System White's strategic idea is extremely simple. He prepares to advance with d2 d4, to build a solid pawn centre and then dictate the play. He will have to pay for this with the fact that his queen's knight has been deprived of the best square for its development, but it may have other suitable squares (in many variations this will be not the d2 square but a3).