The Zaitsev variation of the Closed Spanish is a favorite line of many of the world's best chess players, including many World Champions. Until now, however, there has not been a compilation of the theory of the line, together with the relevant lines of the Breyer and Smyslov Variations into which play often transposes. This book is intended for experienced chess players rated 1700 and above. It contains. heavy-duty theory with many ideas simply credited to the appropriate sources and a good deal of unannotated games. The material is to be used for study of the opening and development of further ideas, as not :as a treatise with definitive evaluations. The Zaitsev variation leads to rich positional and tactical play which requires deep understanding of chess. The games produced in this line are therefore rather difficult to annotate, and many complete games have been provided without notes. The subtle nature of the variation has created profound chess and the author is faced with a difficult task - to read the minds of the great players of our time.

Eric Schiller is as an international organizer for FIDE, and also an international arbiter most notably for the Kramnik-Kasparov World Championship match. Mr. Schiller also captained several Pan-American Intercollegiate teams, as well as the World Youth Championship in Chicago. Over-the-board accomplishments include obtaining the USCF Life Master, and FIDE Master titles. He won the 1974 Illinois State Championship, and the 1995 Calchess State Championship. Schiller has also established himself as a prolific and popular author of a wide range of chess books.