The Perfect Pirc-Modern

The Pirc Defence and the Modern Defence are two naturally entwined chess openings that are both flexible and rich in strategic and tactical ideas. They feature in the repertoire of great players like Kramnik, Grischuk and Ivanchuk, and are equally popular at club level.

In The Perfect Pirc-Modern, Viktor Moskalenko, a renowned propagator of dynamic play who has championed the Pirc-Modern for many years, presents and explains:

• the similarities and differences between the Pirc and the Modern Defence
• the ideas and plans that really matter
• the various pawn structures and how to handle them
• tricky transpositions: opportunities and risks
• a wealth of new resources in well-known lines (for both Black and White)
• countless novelties.

Moskalenko expertly guides you through this ground-breaking opening book with the enthusiasm, the ease and the humour that characterize his style.

Viktor Moskalenko (1960) is an International Grandmaster and a well-known chess coach. The former Ukrainian champion has won many tournaments in Spain, his new home country. He is the author of The Fabulous Budapest Gambit (2007), The Flexible French (2008), Revolutionize Your Chess (2009) and The Wonderful Winawer (2010).

Vassily Ivanchuk:
“This book will undoubtedly help you to master not just the Pirc and Modern Defences, but also to systematize and perfect your understanding of the key points of other openings.”

Kevin Spraggett:
"Written in the same unique style that Viktor has become famous for. There is something scientific about his writing style, even mathematical. Precise. Objective. Definitive."

Uwe Bekemann, German Correspndence Chess Federation:
"Moskalenko is up-to-date, his recommendations are easy to understand, he always points at equally playable alternatives, always includes must-play moves and he enriches theory (..) This is not only a presentation of theory in both openings but also a guide on how to play them (..) An excellent book."

Martin Rieger, Rochade Europa Magazine:
"A fantastic book on the Pirc-Modern! When you play the Pirc, or against it, you cannot do without it."

Glenn Flear, Yearbook 107:
"The game sections are bursting with ideas, plenty of helpfull explanations (..) New moves and concepts abound (..) Viktor has done it again. Bravo! Put in the buy list."

Paul Kane, Manchester Chess Federation:
"Myriad plans and setups are thoroughly discussed and helpfully summarized (..) Along the way, plenty of resources are provided for meeting each white system."

James Vigus, CHESS Magazine:
"[Moskalenko] wisely avoids the repertoire format, providing multiple replies to each white system. This approach should help Pirc players cultivate that essential virtue, flexibility (..) The main attractions are the accessible and enthusiastic explanations."

Richard Vedder, Schakers.info:
"It does not offer complete coverage, but the author does present a clear strategy. The structure of the work is excellent. In 8 chapters the various ways to counter the Pirc are being treated (..) The book is full of opening tips and tricks which is, certainly for the beginning player of Pirc or Modern Defence, extremely usefull. A work for both White and Black players!"

Max Euwe Center, Amsterdam:
"The lively writing style and the accessible presentation make for an appealing book for the improving clu