Chess theory grows by leaps and bounds, and it is now possible to spend nearly 200 pages on a single try against a popular defense. While this book is deeply researched and contains very current information on several topical lines, its somewhat murky layout and coverage of lines where theory now stretches to move 30 will limit its appeal to the average player.

Grandmaster Konstantin Sakaev is a strong player (twice world junior champion and twice Olympic gold medalist for the Russian team) and opening theoretician. He covers everything that a white player needs to play the old main line in the Exchange Variation (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 followed by Ne2). While this is still an important variation, it had been eclipsed of late by lines where white chooses to develop his king knight to the more aggressive post on f3.

Still, there are a variety of interesting methods for both sides in the older line, and Sakaev contributes his own suggestions for keeping white's initiative in key lines like the Exchange sacrifice after 7…c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0 Bg4 11.f3 Na5 12.Bd3 cxd4 13.cxd4 Be6 14.d5 Bxa1 15.Qxa1 and the alternative pawn sacrifice with 14.Rc1. Sakaev is of the opinion that these lines, plus Karpov's 12.Bxf7+ are white's best bets for an edge.

All three of the lines mentioned above have broad and deep theory, and they continue to expand. Besides these, the older 10…Qc7 requires thorough knowledge and preparation as well. The lines are often rich in both tactics and strategy, and odd material imbalances are the norm rather than the exception. In short, they are ideal for players wishing an unbalanced fight. At the same time, they are very difficult and require a lot of work to stay abreast of the changes.

Without a doubt, this book eclipses the theory in other Grunfeld works on the variations it covers. In many other Grunfeld books, this material is covered in 20 or 30 pages, so it is understandable that there will be considerably more attention paid to the moves by both sides. The book is definitely intended for the white player, meaning that some lines the author views as not as promising are not covered. That said, all the major white choices are examined, which is helpful for a player who decides, for example, that he is unwilling to sacrifice the exchange with 14.d5 – he can still choose to play the lines based on 14.Rc1 or 12.Bxf7.

The serious player of these lines with white (and probably the Grunfeld defender as well) will want to have this book. The author has provided some interesting original analysis to shore up white's tries. That said, there is a delicate balance between white and black in many of these lines, and a player will have to stay abreast of theory and be willing to do his or her own analysis to stay on top of this line.