A complete black repertoire which has been tested at the highest level. Based on 1 e4 e5 and covering all White replies except the Ruy Lopez, for which the authors have prepared a separate companion volume on the Berlin Defence.

Roman Ovetchkin is an international grandmaster and an experienced coach and trainer. He was in the team which enabled Ekaterina Kovalevska to become a vice-champion of the world in 2004. In 2007, he coached the "ABC" team and they shared 1st-2nd place in the European Cup for women. He was the winner of numerous international chess competitions.

Igor Lysyj is an international grandmaster. He won many times the students' championships and the Russia Universiades, both as an individual and as a member of the team of the Ural University. He participated in the team of Russia which won the World Students' Championship in 2008. He was the winner of numerous international chess tournaments.