Though the move 6 d4 (after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 00 Be7) appears blatantly committal and lacks the subtlety of the closed variations, its labyrinthine continually being explored by many contemporary masters. In particular, the Yugoslav IGM S. Marjanovic has unveiled many new twists in what were previously thought to be drawn endings. Another exponent of the Center Attack is the Hungarian International Master K. Honfi, who handles either side with equal finesse. It's mesmeric appeal has also been felt by Mikhail Tal who has several interesting encounters in this volume. Even Alexander Alekhine employed the variation on two occasions with the White pieces. 

The current volume (the fourteenth in the Syzygy Chess Opening Paperbound Series) not only re-examines classical and contemporary opening theory but also explores many new innovations in the middle game of the Center Attack. Primary in the editors' effort was to catalog new ideas and concepts for both White and Black aficionados of the jeu royale.