The Portuguese Variation (after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4
Bg4) ranks as Black's most combative system in the Center Counter
Defense, closely allied to the Icelandic gambit (1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6
3.c4 e6, also covered here!). In the Portuguese, Black offers a pawn
for rapid development and the chance to exploit weak squares in the
enemy camp. The resulting play is sharp and trappy, with plenty of
"coffeehouse" flavor for those wishing to mix it up as Black. An added
benefit is the newness of the line, which came into prominence only in
the early 1990s. Therefore many players of White can still be caught
unaware, falling victim to an early knockout. No mere surprise weapon,
however, the Portuguese has been tested in the fire of world class
tournament chess. Proof of the line's vitality is it's adoption by
aggressive Grandmasters such as Spraggett, Hodgson, Shirov and Hebden.
This book is the first devoted exclusively to
the Portuguese Variation. In a research tour de force, NM Selby
Anderson has assembled all relevant games and articles, then fed it to
top chess engines like Fritz4 and Chess Machine. Consequently, the high
percentage of original analysis found here stands in stark contrast to
the typical opening monograph. Players of any level will appreciate
the author's light and witty approach all the while dispensing lethal
doses of tactical toxins. Pity the poor player who stumbles into the
Portuguese without this book!
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