Grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov presents an opening system for Black based on the Semi-Slav Triangle – an ambitious way to fight the ever-popular Queen’s Gambit.

Black’s weapons include the Noteboom Variation – a dynamic counterattack which takes White out of his comfort zone and offers Black the chance to dictate the game from the outset.

Scherbakov also examines options for Black against the aggressive Semi-Slav Marshall Gambit, as well as White’s quieter tries such as the Exchange Variation, various defences of the c4-pawn and the Catalan approach.

Scherbakov has over 20 years of experience studying and playing these opening variations, which have been tried and tested successfully at grandmaster level and are ideally designed for players who want to challenge White in the opening.

• Written by a renowned Semi-Slav Triangle expert
• Packed with new ideas and critical analysis
• Explains typical plans and tactics for both sides

Ruslan Scherbakov is a Grandmaster and a former Russian Junior Champion. He has more than 20 years of training experience, has worked with many leading young players and since 2005 has been coaching Olympic and two-time European Champion Kateryna Lahno.

He is a renowned opening theoretician and a regular columnist at Chesspublishing.com.