Attacking with g2-g4

This Attacking with g2-g4 is an English-language paperback chess book about one of the most direct and unusual attacking ideas in the opening and middlegame: pushing the g-pawn to g4. It is written for players who want to study active play, seize the initiative and understand how this plan works against closed defences.

What this book covers

The g2-g4 thrust can look anti-positional at first glance, which is part of why it can be so effective in the right positions. It can unsettle an opponent’s setup and shift the fight quickly to the kingside. The idea gained wider attention in the games of world champion Mikhail Botvinnik, who used it against some of the leading grandmasters of his era.

Grandmaster Dmitry Kryakvin shows how to use this plan against several important defensive systems: the Dutch Defence, the Queen's Gambit, Anti-Nimzo-Indian, the King's Indian Defence and the Slav Defence. The book goes beyond general ideas and follows the attacking mechanisms in concrete positions, helping the reader see how the concept turns into practical play over the board.

Inside the book

You will find many instructive examples that make it easier to judge when an attack on the g-file makes sense and how to develop it correctly. Kryakvin discusses typical ways to gain time, keep the initiative and make defence as awkward as possible for the opponent. It is useful for self-study, game analysis and tournament preparation.

Edition details

• Language: English
• Format: Paperback
• Author: Dmitry Kryakvin
• Subject: Attacking play with the g2-g4 pawn thrust
• Page count: 256