The French Connection: winning ways with 1 e4 e6 and 1 d4 e6 Playing as Black in a game of chess can be difficult. Do you simply try to neutralize White’s initiative, or go all-out to complicate the game? Either way, there are many pitfalls, and a lot of study may be needed. In this book, Grandmaster Eingorn shows that it is possible both to play solidly, and to take White out of his comfort zone. He recommends ideas and move-orders that are a little off the beaten track, but which he has very carefully worked out over many years of his own practice. The repertoire, based on playing 1...e6, is strikingly creative and will appeal to those who want a stress-free life as Black. You will get every chance to demonstrate your chess skills, and are very unlikely to be blown off the board by a sharp prepared line. All you need is a flexible approach, and a willingness to try out new structures and ideas. Eingorn’s subtle move-orders are particularly effective if White refuses to pick up the gauntlet, as Black can then use his delay in playing ...Nf6 to good effect and take the fight directly to his opponent. Viacheslav Eingorn is an extremely experienced grandmaster from Odesa (Ukraine), who played regularly and successfully in the Top League of the USSR Championship in the 1980s. He has represented Ukraine many times in team events, winning a gold medal at the 2001 World Team Championship. Eingorn is a FIDE Senior Trainer, and coached the victorious Ukrainian women’s team at the 2006 Olympiad. “I'd recommend this book as a template to club players who want to get up and running with an all-embracing, comparatively easy to absorb repertoire” - Sean Marsh, marshtowers “This is a more traditional treatment which older readers, like myself, may appreciate ... an opening manual that is also a guide or even a friend. I spotted games from all eras, which shows depth of reading and balanced research. ... A pleasure to recommend this little gem of a book. Perhaps the best book of 2012 so far. A creative effort.” - James Pratt, British Chess Magazine “Gambit Publications keeps on publishing great books for everyone! From beginners up to strong tournament players, who look for surprises to dazzle their opponents. This book contains a whole repertoire for Black, based on the reply 1...e6 to both 1 e4 and 1 d4 ... the way (Eingorn) handles the position and the lines he recommends to the audience will definitely improve your knowledge about both this structure and the opening in particular” - Lukas Wedrychowski, DailyChessTV “Answering 1 d4/1 e4 with 1...e6 is not a new idea, but the author’s original interpretation makes this a recommendation for anyone wishing to trying something new” - Bab Wilders, Nederlands Dagblad