The Modern English: Volume 2

This is the second half of Kiril Georgiev and Semko Semkov’s White repertoire with the English Opening, and it covers everything except 1...e5 (which is handled in Volume 1). In other words, this is your answer to the Symmetrical English and to Black’s attempts to steer the game into Indian and Slav structures.

The backbone is 1.c4 c5 — the Symmetrical complex — where the authors give clear recommendations against the ...g6, ...e6, ...b6 and Maróczy Bind set-ups. From there the book systematically shuts down Black’s independent tries: anti-Grünfeld and anti-Nimzo lines, anti-Slav and Chebanenko set-ups, an anti-Meran, and an anti-Queen’s-Gambit approach, plus a closing chapter on the odds and ends.

As with all Chess Stars repertoire books, each chapter is built in three layers — a "Main Ideas" overview for the strategic picture, a detailed "Step by Step" theoretical section, and annotated complete games — so you can study as deeply or as lightly as you need.

Together with Volume 1 it forms a complete, coherent 1.c4 repertoire. Aimed at club players and above who want a low-maintenance but principled way to play the English.