Vigorito on the Dragon
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Dave Vigorito's new book on the Dragon was favorably reviewed by Carsten Hansen on the ChessCafe site.
Dave is a master writer and former president of the Boylston.
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Chess Developments: The Sicilian Dragon by David Vigorito, Everyman
Chess 2011, Figurine Algebraic Notation, Paperback, 320pp. $27.95
(ChessCafe Price $23.95)
The idea behind this series is that the author only focuses on lines
that are crucial, topical, or where there are important and significant
developments at hand. Here, international master David Vigorito shows
himself capable of handling even very complex topics and exceedingly
sharp openings.
As mentioned on the back cover, the Sicilian Dragon is one of the
most eagerly discussed chess openings. Yet, as noted by Vigorito, it is
a very narrow opening with a relatively limited number of critical
variations. Nevertheless, within those few lines, there are a plethora
of possibilities that need to memorized in detail, because one misstep
can have fatal consequences for the side who goes wrong. In all honesty,
most Dragon players feel they
must know everything about this fascinating opening, which is, of
course, misguided.
The contents are divided as follows:
- Bibliography (1 page)
- Introduction (2 pages)
- Part I: 9 Bc4 Bd7 (2 pages)
- Soltis Variation: 10 0-0-0 Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5 12 h4 h5 (49 pages)
- Modern Variation: 10 0-0-0 Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5 12 Kb1 (31 pages)
- Topalov Variation: 10 0-0-0 Rc8 11 Bb3 Nxd4 (27 pages)
- Chinese Variation: 10 0-0-0 Rb8 (25 pages)
- Accelerated Variation: 10 Bb3 Nxd4 11 Bxd4 b5 (24 pages)
- Part II: 9 0-0-0 and 9 g4 (2 pages)
- 9 0-0-0 d5 10 exd5 (39 pages)
- 9 0-0-0 d5 10 Qe1 (19 pages)
- 9 0-0-0 d5 10 Kb1 (30 pages)
- 9 0-0-0 Nxd4 and 9…Bd7 (33 pages)
- 9 g4 (21 pages)
- Index of Variations (9 pages)
- Index of Complete Games (3 pages)
As you can see, all of the lines include castling to opposite sides,
because the classical lines are largely considered harmless for Black or
have not changed in their theoretical evaluation over the past few
years.
When comparing the analysis presented in this volume with my own
notes and analysis done over the years, I found the material to be of
first-rate quality and full of intriguing new ideas. It is jam-packed
with original analysis, improvements, or alternatives to the analysis
done by others. These others frequently being top players, international
masters, or grandmasters.
This makes this volume of great interest to Dragon aficionados, but
less relevant for weaker players, simply because the material is far too
complicated for average players. I enjoyed the material in this book;
the journey it will take the reader on is both full of wonder and
instruction.
My assessment of this book:
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