"All beginnings are difficult" is an old saying, and this is true as well from my review of this book. I am reminded of the story where an elderly woman says to her surgeon, "Doctor, I am so afraid as this is my first operation." The doctor winks and says, "Don't worry it will be my first operation as well!" So you and I have this book in front of us as the surgery and the work of my young friend and former student IM Armin Juhasz is the surgeon.I remember vividly the founding of Geza Maroczy Chess School in Budapest in 2006. The School was especially successful during its first years. Following the examples of such outstanding Hungarian players as Laszlo Szabo, Gedeon Barcza or Geza Maroczy himself, a number of excellent young players including Benjamin Gledura and Richard Rapport (currently ranked 13th in the world) have debuted their talents at the school. It was also at the Maroczy school where Armin Juhasz studied as well. Was it easy for these students? Was it easy for us coaches? I think the answer is a clear yes. We had the privilege to invite as guest lecturers such internationally known Hungarian chess greats as Pal Benko, Lajos Portisch, Zoltan Ribli, Gyula Sax, Istvan Csom, (members of the gold medalist team at the 1978 Chess Olympiad in Buenos Aires), and JuditPolgar, Zsuzsa Polgar, Zsuzsa Veroci and Maria Ivanka. Our young students had the opportunity to learn chess from no lesser names than these. And yes, IM ArminJuhasz, who became the youngest FIDE Trainer in Europe in 2018, was among these students.In his first book (we anticipate many more), the young Hungarian author makes a worthy attempt to walk his readers through a complete 1.d4 opening repertoire. Yet while he is taking you thru the opening he never forgets the other phases of the game. As a result, the subsequent middlegame and endgame elements are remarkably well organized benefitting both beginner and advanced players to acquire powerful skills with 1.d4. In addition, Armin pays adequate attention to those tactical motifs that are quite significant in the dynamic games of many contemporary players. Clearly he keeps in mind the German master Richard Teichmann's observation that Chess is 99% tactics. This complex book follows a clear structure with a large number of games and positions from outstanding players and various historical eras. Then he spices all this up in the analyses sections with tricks and insights mainly associated with the so-called Hungarian chess school tradition. I heartily recommend this book not only to those who are eager to boost their ELO rating (Did you know that Dr. Arpad Elo was an American professor of Hungarian birth?) but also to coaching colleagues (including my fellow GMs), because 1.d4! The Chess Bible is an excellent source of great examples and useful drills. I will certainly use it in my own coaching practice. Lastly, please be aware that the author comes from a dedicated chess family. His older brother, IM Kristof Juhasz is 27 and achieved his first GM norm in 2020, the year of the pandemic. His younger brother FM Agoston Juhasz(aged 15) was a U14 National Champion. See you at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest in 2024! Jozsef Horvath Grand Master and FIDE Senior Trainer Budapest, January 2021
In summary, if you play 1.d4 then this book will provide a unique insight into many typical structures and plans and if you play the Kings Indian, Grunfeld, Benoni, Slav or the black side of the Catalan then this book will be beneficial. In many ways this book has provided a fresh approach to teaching openings and, tells us a great deal about the author in the process. It is clear as daylight that IM Armin Juhasz is a talented trainer and author with a great passion for teaching. We are convinced that his time must be in high demand! John Upham, British Chess News, Cove, Hampshire, 27th April, 2021
Juhasz has written his book with two ideas in mind. The first is to provide non-professionals with a repertoire against the majority of Blacks answers to 1.d4. The second is to explain the typical ideas and plans for both sides through the use of model games which may or may not be connected to the intended repertoire. One doesnt normally see the Catalan recommended for non-professionals (the target audience for 1.d4! The Chess Bibleis roughly 2000-2300), but like Christof Sieleckis 1.d4 Keep it Simple where the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 is advocates, this book has some cleverly thought out ideas to sidestep massive amounts of theory. In this case the preferred move orders are 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ Nbd7 6.Qxc4 a6 7.Be3 and 4Be7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Nbd2. Objectively the latter doesnt promise a lot against reasonable play, but kudos to Juhasz for designing a Catalan repertoire which is so manageable. Playing the Catalan via this move order with 3.g3, instead of 3.Nf3, and advocating 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 against the Modern Benoni, means White will need an extra Benoni/English line after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5. Additionally,1.d4! The Chess Bibleis not one stop shopping for those desiring a complete repertoire playing 1.d4. The Dutch, Benko Gambit and Queens Gambit Accepted are among the Black defenses not covered. These caveats considered, 1.d4! The Chess Bible, is still a good introductory work for its intended audience. IM John Donaldson June 2021.
