Wolfgang Uhlmann Book order

The French Defense (1. e4 e6) gained prominence in the 19th century and has since become a key opening in chess. The author, German Grandmaster Wolfgang Uhlmann, is a renowned expert who has extensively tested and contributed to its theory throughout his career. This work features 76 selected games, primarily his own, showcasing his success with this opening against top opponents. The annotations include theoretical insights that provide readers with solid guidance on handling the French Defense. Rather than offering a comprehensive overview of all systems and lines, the focus is on positional evaluation and planning. This compilation also reflects Uhlmann's journey with his preferred French lines. Now in its 4th updated edition, the book includes five recent games by other French specialists. Uhlmann, born in Dresden in 1935, was the strongest player in the GDR from 1958 to 1989 and participated in 11 chess Olympiads, often at the top board. He was among the world's elite players at his peak and achieved significant success in various national and international tournaments. Additionally, he was active in the German Bundesliga and is recognized for his numerous publications on chess.

Over a quarter of a century ago, the first edition of this book, published in East Germany in 1981, became a bestseller but was never reprinted due to one co-author, chess trainer Gerhard Schmidt, leaving for the West, resulting in the book being banned in East Germany. Despite its acclaim in chess circles, its success was limited to underground distribution. The timeless subject matter transcends borders, leading to a new edition, fully revised by the original authors to include modern games from world-class players like Garry Kasparov and Vishy Anand. The book systematically explains strategies and tactics related to the open file, detailing how files are opened, blocked, occupied, and exploited to invade enemy positions. It begins with a theoretical introduction, followed by well-organized illustrative games where the open file plays a crucial role. Key positions in each game are paused for clear verbal assessments, which provide significant instructional value by teaching readers how strong chess players think, assess, and plan. The book benefits from Schmidt’s training experience and Grandmaster Wolfgang Uhlmann’s extensive knowledge gained during his successful career, which brought him close to the world title and established him as one of Germany’s greatest chess players.

Written by a Grandmaster who has played the French almost exclusively throughout his chess career, this book sets out to explain how to go about winning with the French. The up-to-the-minute theories are based on around 60 of Uhlmann's most important games.