The Philidor Files: Detailed coverage of a dynamic opening - Bauer

The Philidor is a dynamic and underrated answer to White's most popular opening move, 1 e4. Recently it has acquired something of a cult following amongst certain Grandmasters; its supporters include the French number one Etienne Bacrot and the former European Champion Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu. One of its major selling points is its flexibility Black even has a choice of two opening moves. It also suits a wide variety of playing styles. Games can lead to sharp, tactical duels as well as strategic, positional battles. In this book Christian Bauer, himself a renowned Philidor expert, uncovers the secrets behind this intriguing opening. Using his own experience and other top-class Philidor games, Bauer identifies both the critical main lines and the tricky sidelines. He also examines the key tactical and strategic ideas for both White and Black, while highlighting crucial issues such as move-order options - a major weapon for the modern Grandmaster.

Features

• Comprehensive coverage of a provocative opening
• Packed with original analysis
• Ideal for club and tournament players

Specifications

• 304 Pages
• Paperback
• Publisher: Everyman
• Published: January 2007

Reviews

• Likely to be regarded as a modern classic. It's not often that a FIDE GM over 2600 writes an opening book and even more seldom where he tells you like it really is with a detailed examination of present day theory and lots of original analysis. The book covers all lines in the Larsen and Antoshin (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 g6 and 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7), both of which are considered to be in the dog house by theory but Bauer offers plenty of suggestions on how to bring their bark back. GM Bauer's book on 1...b6 was excellent but the Philidor Files is even better. Highly recommended. - John Donaldson
• Verdict: **** It is not everyday that a 2600-rated GM writes an opening book, so although the topic is a comparatively rare opening, we should pay attention. If you can read German and are just interested in the Antoshin, then Seel's book would be my top pick, but otherwise I think that Bauer's book is now the best source of reliable information on the Philidor. - Phil Adams
• To be honest I have seldom been so impressed as this openings book from the young GM Cristian Bauer on the Philidor defence.This book is all together good for 304 well filled pages all with move to move annotations and just compare that all with the the latest ECO C of Chess Openings Encyclopaedia with its seven and a quarter page! - John Elburg
• The Philidor Files is a magnificent piece of work, and offers Black a very interesting, very thorough repertoire choice vs. 1.e4. The analysis is copious, and is too much for players under 1800. However, those from 1800 right up to grandmaster will find this book to be a must own if they dream of playing the Philidor, or if they open with 1.e4 and have to face it. - Jeremy Silman