The Classical Variation of the Schliemann Defense is one of the most exciting and complicated openings in all of chess. Periodically 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 4.Nc3 fxe4 5.Nxe5 d5!? 6.Nxe5 fxe4 7.Nxc6 Qg5 is refuted, but it keeps on coming back to life and is even seen at the highest levels of the tournament play.

The middlegames are characterized by ferocious attacks on both kings. In the event that a decisive result is not achieved early in the game, fascinating endgames with rooks and minor pieces arise, often with Black enjoying a powerful passed pawn on the e-file.

In this book, Grandmaster Leonid Shamkovich and National Master Eric Schiller continue their examination of this variation, which they have been writing about for over a dozen years. They present much new analysis and critically review the many publications which have appeared in recent years.

No fan of the Schliemann should be without this book, and players of the Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez) will want it in their arsenal if they dare to enter the main lines.