"Easy Guide to the RＵi Opening" by Angus Dunnington, 1998
Cadogan Chess, Figurine Algebraic Notation, Softcover, 128pp.,
$18.95

The British chess publishing firm Cadogan has embarked on a new
series, the "Easy Guide" series. The back cover blurb says that the
series "...represents a new approach to chess opening books: just
enough detail and just enough explanation to enable readers to play
an opening with confidence, without months of memorizing theory
- the easy way to master a chess opening." There are a fair number
of openings that apparently will be part of this series, scheduled to
appear in print right through 1999. One of the latest releases is by
British IM Angus Dunnington, his "Easy Guide to the RＵi
Opening."

After an Introduction that sets out the author's goals, along with a
brief discussion of some of the underlying theory of Black's
defensive set-ups in general, the book is divided into six chapters:
(1) 1 Nf3 d5 2 c4 dxc4; (2) 1 Nf3 d5 2 c4 d4; (3) 1 Nf3 d5 2 c4 c6
3 b3 Nf6 4 g3; (4) 1 Nf3 d5 2 c4 e6 3 b3 Nf6 4 g3; (5) Dutch
Systems: 1 Nf3 f5; and (6) 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 g6 3 b4.

The layout of each chapter is basically the same. The main theme
of each chapter is illustrated by one or more games, with
discussions of strategy, variations and alternate moves given in the
notes to the games. Dunnington is consistent in the related systems
that he recommends. Thus, in both Chapter 2 (where Black
advances d4 in response to White's c4) and Chapter 6 (where
Black mirrors White's moves) he advocates an accelerated
fianchetto of the Queen's Bishop. The queenside expansion in both
lines are not totally unrelated, making it a little easier for the club
player to understand what is going on. The same of course can be
said for Chapter 3 and 4, characterized by 2...c6 and 2...e6
respectively by Black. In each case, the 'normal' fianchetto of the
black-squared Bishop is White's recommended system.

The tag "Easy Guide..." in the title may be a bit misleading, selling
the book's overall quality and depth short. Dunnington has done
quite a decent job in presenting the material with sufficient depth
and topicality so that the book will appeal to many players up to
and including those of master strength.

The author states in the Introduction that "while it is not possible to
cover all of Black's first-move options, I have nevertheless
included the popular responses and patterns of development which
you can expect to meet on a regular basis." And so he has. With
one glaring exception. It has been our experience that after 1 Nf3,
one of the most common responses White will face is 1...c5. It is a
very flexible move, inviting White to transpose into a Sicilian,
while waiting to see what develops. 

The author unfortunately neglects to give the reader any hint at all
what to do about 1...c5. Should we play 2 b3, an idea not
unfamiliar to RＵi fans? Transpose into a Sicilian? And what if we
simply play 2 c4, like we do in virtually every other line discussed
in the book? Oops! Then we are in a symmetrical English, a
variation in which theory has been well developed and White really
does need to know some concrete lines. What's a body to do?! It is
inconceivable that the author 'forgot' to deal with such an
important first move possibility; the reader deserves his insight and
suggestion, if only to keep one within the parameters of RＵi theory
and practice, without allowing such a major transpositional
alternative such as the symmetrical English.

Be that as it may, the lines that are covered are done well and done
clearly. The author presents and discusses alternatives and then
gives the reader his recommendation, with an explanation of why
he likes it. This is important. If indeed a book is intended to shape
and enhance a student's understanding of an opening, clear
direction from the author is essential. Different lines are not
lumped together for the reader to sort out, but distinguished so that
an informed choice can be made.

So, for example, after 1 Nf3 d5 2 c4 dxc4, two third move
alternatives are discussed: 3 Qa4+ and 3 Na3. (The older 3 e3 is
not given; a minor omission.) Dunnington lets the reader know that
he prefers 3 Na3 "...not only because it is in the spirit of the
RＵi,but also because White is then regaining the pawn on his own
terms, as the prepared pattern of development is relevant only to 
this opening."

A few months ago, we favorably reviewed John Donaldson's "A
Strategic Opening Repertoire." In that fine effort, Donaldson
basically advocated a system based upon 1 Nf3, 2 c4 and 3 g3. As
good as that book is, there are a few omissions. For example,
Donaldson does not investigate what we could call the "Slav"
pawn structure in response to White's opening set-up, i.e., a c6-d5-
e6 central pawn wedge. The transposition, however, is smooth, if at
this point you go over to Dunnington's book. And Donaldson
covers the symmetrical English that may arise after 1 Nf3 c5 2 c4
very well.

All this leads us to the interesting conclusion that Dunnington's
solid opening manual would seem to dovetail nicely with
Donaldson's more theoretical work. If you like Donaldson's book,
definitely also get the "Easy Guide to the RＵi." It will add meat to
Donaldson's more theoretical SOR bones and provide additional
understanding for the hypermodern positions in both. Dunnington's
"Easy Guide to the RＵi" however surely can stand on its own
merit: it is a worthwhile look at one of the more difficult openings
around today. However,  caveat chessplayer: Know what you're
going to do versus 1...c5.