Key Concepts of Chess - Volume 1 - The Hedgehog - by Grooten (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This is the first volume of the new series "Key Concepts of Chess". The idea is to deal with middlegames in which a certain structure or essential theme becomes central. The idea of starting this series is in line with the "Understanding before Moving" series because the aim, is to improve the understanding of club chess players. According to the author, playing an opening should be 'hung up' on stereotypical ideas and concepts belonging to this structure. The thorough exploration of middlegame structures is beyond the scope of opening books, hence it makes more sense to expose it in this complementary series.

In this first volume, the "Hedgehog System" is discussed in detail. Apart from being part of the author's repertoire, this typical set-up deserves to be widely highlighted. Although in the second part of the trilogy on the Sicilian, the Hedgehog has already made its appearance, in this book the seemingly fragile, but oh so treacherous creature can reconsider its spines in an extensive way.

Review Quotes

, Understanding Before Moving 3: Sicilian Structures Part v2 - Taimanov, Kan and Richter Rauzer, is aimed at a somewhat different audience, here the aim is squarely club players ranging from 1800-2300.

This well written book, the second in a series on the Sicilian by the Dutch International Master Herman Grooten, aims to explain the typical plans for White and Black in the Taimanov (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6), Kan (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6) and Richter-Rauzer (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5).

Coming in at a massive 421 pages, this book does not cut corners. Grooten offers an overview of each variation followed by model games which are well annotated throughout. Club players looking to learn how to play or play against the Sicilian will find this book most helpful, particularly players below 2000. Rather than start out trying to memorize a bunch of sharp theory they will do much better to build a solid foundation by first learning the typical plans and ideas are for both sides.

IM John Donaldson - April 2021.