A Collector's Item

I now am the proud owner of a rare collector's copy of Rudel's 'Zuke 'Em' book.

The first print has been withdrawn due to an excessive number of typos. A new edition is now under work and buyers of the first batch will have a new copy free of charge. More information can be found at Chessco's home page.

I have no idea whether this image will be the new cover or not. Actually I suspect the blue color is only symbolic - representing the author's and publisher's regret for having sent a poorly proof-read manuscript to the printers.

Addendum July 20th
Yesterday I received a new copy and as I suspected, the cover is unchanged. The new version has a new ISBN number and on page 255 I found my name on a list of people who helped finding typos in the first edition. There are still typos but the number now seems not to be disturbing.

Chess Book Covers Revolutionized

Thinkers' Press announces a new book on the Colle Zukertort. The cover and the title "Zuke 'Em, The Colle-Zukertort Revolutionized" certainly promise something special. I have found no high resolution picture so it's hard to judge the artistic quality but the book certainly will stand out in my book shelves. Only Basman's "The Killer Grob" (Pergamon 1991) may stand up in comparison.

Probably the best book on the Zukertort (and some complementary lines) is Aaron Summerscale's "A Killer Opening Repertoire". I really wonder what exactly Summerscale means when he admits that Rudel "solved a problem that had vexed him" and says that he is "Very impressed by the sheer amount of brain power." Could this actually be a good book? Until further notice I remain sceptical about the content as in this case the playing strength of the author seems to be a legitimate concern.

No matter what the book actually delivers, the Zukertort in my opinion is a valid try for a small pull with White - at least against set-ups with an early ...e6. I have played the system myself on occasion and have my own small ideas about White's optimal move-orders - but I honestly don't see the potential for a Zukertort Revolution.

Addendum May 29th.
There now is an ad for the book at Chessco's homepage. Many big words but not that much new information. I replaced the previous picture with one with a higher resolution.

Addendum June 1st.
In a comment (below) the author, David Rudel, points to the book's website which contains a lot of excerpts from the book.