One way to improve your results is to develop a specific opening repertoire and learn it thoroughly so as to be prepared for most eventualities. This might seem like common sense but it is a lesson which many amateurs neglect to observe. A new book by the prolific author Cyrus Lakdawala (Opening Repertoire 1 d4 with 2 c4, published by Everyman Chess) seeks to plug this lacuna in the chess aficionado’s arsenal of openings by providing an aggressive repertoire based on the solid 1 d4.
Le Quang Liem-Nguyen Van Huy:
Ho Chi Minh City 2014; Nimzo-Indian Defence
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 f3 This is Lakdawala’s recommendation against the solid Nimzo-Indian Defence. White aims to create a strong centre as soon as possible and challenges Black to break it down. An attraction of the line is that if Black misplays the defence (as happens in this game) White can often crash through on the kingside with simple and natural moves.
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