I give this book 4 stars because I really like Taylor's writing-- it is a book after all. I've tried the opening a few times after reading it. I had mixed results, but that's true for most things I play. Is it a great opening? No. It is the kind of thing where you hope to know the terrain of the battle better than your opponent.

Taylor writes for club players who play over the board, where things like the element of surprise and who is better prepared matter. Taylor writes with enthusiasm for his subject, be it pawn sacrifices or his choice of perhaps less commonly found openings and variations. I think he is trying to arm his reader with confidence in his preparation as much as he is trying to arm his reader with playable variations. You do need both to win at chess consistently.

With that in mind, I don't mind if Taylor's enthusiasm out paces the solidity of the lines he's offering. He is a unique writer, imho, offering often original analysis. He takes chances. His readers should be willing to do the same. ( )