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MACA Book Review
Starting Out: d-pawn Attacks Starting Out: d-pawn Attacks
by: Richard Palliser

Price: $24.95
ISBN: 978-1-85744-578-7
Format: Book 272pp.
Publisher: Everyman Chess

Reviewed by: Chess Horizons Editor Mark Donlan
Recommendation: Recommended

As stated in the introduction, “this work covers three attacking and fairly non-theoretical systems for White, namely the Colle-Zukertort, the Barry Attack and the 150 Attack.”

The Colle-Zukertort is characterized by the moves 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 and 5.b3, followed by 0-0, Bb2 and Nbd2. If Black plays for a King’s Indian by 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6, Palliser proposes the Barry Attack 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4; and if Black aims for a Pirc by 3…Bg7 4.e4 d6, he recommends the 150 Attack 5.Be3, followed by Qd2.
 
Palliser writes that together these openings “create the backbone of quite a dangerous repertoire for White, especially at club level.” Though he adds they “do not promise White a theoretical advantage against a well-prepared opponent …” Still, for the player who would like a straightforward thematic repertoire with White, this book will serve them well.

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