The QGA is an extremely popular opening among players of all levels, as it gives Black free development and counterpunching potential, especially if White takes up the challenge and tries to set up a broad pawn-center.  The QGA's soundness is shown by the number of top-class grandmasters who have used it in critical games--it was a key factor in Short's victory over Karpov, and has even been used by Garry Kasparov at world-championship level.

The repertoire is built upon dependable main lines of the QGA.  This means that Rizzitano's recommendations will remain playable for many years, as these systems are most unlikely to be refuted.  Throughout, he emphasizes how Black can create winning chances and White's typical ways to go wrong.  The repertoire is completed by a set of weapons against White's alternatives to offering the Queen's Gambit, ranging from the stolid Colle to the weird Hodgson Attack and the reckless Blackmar-Diemer.

James Rizzitano is a strong international master who dominated chess in the New England region during a 14-year period from 1976-1989 -- he won 157 out of 336 events in which he competed.  His career highlights include victories over Alburt, Benjamin, Benko, Christiansen, Dlugy, I. Gurevich, and Wolff, and exciting draws with de Firmian, Larsen, Speelman, and the legendary former world champion Tal.  Rizzitano has recently made a return to competitive chess.

Specifications:

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Gambit Publications (August 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches