El arte de la defensa (2.ª ed.) - Lew Poługajewski

The Art of Defence (2nd edition) - Lev Polugaevsky is a chess book about one of the game’s hardest and most overlooked skills: defending well. It explains how to meet pressure with a clear plan, limit your opponent’s initiative and turn a difficult position into equality or even a counterattack.

What this book covers

Many players are more comfortable attacking than defending, so defensive technique is often the weaker part of their game. This book presents the basics of practical defence in a clear, structured way. It covers the ideas that matter at the board: blockade, simplification, active defence and counterattack.

Another strength of the book is its set of tests, which let you not only learn the ideas but also practise them in realistic positions. It is a useful choice for players who want to handle worse positions more confidently and make calmer decisions under pressure.

About the authors

Lev Polugaevsky spent more than thirty years among the world’s leading grandmasters and was several times a candidate for the world championship. His books Grandmaster Achievement and Grandmaster Performance are regarded as modern classics of chess literature.

Jakow Damski is a Russian television and radio commentator and journalist.

Edition details

• Product type: chess book
• Author: Lev Polugaevsky
• Co-author: Jakow Damski
• Edition: 2nd edition
• Page count: 230
• Finish: softcover
• Content feature: includes tests for practical training