Play the Queen's Gambit by GM Chris Ward offers White a complete attacking repertoire based on 1.d4 d5 2.c4. First off let me say that I'm not an experienced 1.d4 player, nor an expert on the Queen's Gambit on either side of the board. But this book has me wanting to take up the White pieces and play this opening right away. With just the right amount of prose to explain ideas and detailed variations, I get the feeling I'm being taught the important lines and how to play them. The repertoire is presented with the best of both worlds. Each chapter begins with a short introduction and uses the variation tree format to give you the repertoire moves, with good explanations. Then follows a large number of complete, well-annotated illustrative games that explore each line in greater depth. As an interesting experiment, I decided to try out the Queen's Gambit as White in an online (slow time-control) game, having never played the opening before, with only a half-hour preparation from the book! I was pretty sure my opponent would allow me to play the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit declined, which he did, and I was able to successfully implement the standard minority attack on Black's queenside and achieved a won position. All my moves felt natural, and I was able to easily follow Ward's suggestions on how to play the position.

Let's take a look at what's inside.

The Queen's Gambit Accepted

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 Ward recommends the sharp 3.e4. This may be the most complex chapter in the book, and Ward even apologizes early on for this, assuring us that's it only gets easier from here. Most of your study will probably go here, as there are things you must simply know to play these lines well.

The Queen's Gambit Declined

This covers 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 where Black doesn't transpose into the Semi-Slav. Ward offers the Exchange Variation (3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5) as White's main system, and shows at least three different ways to play after reaching the "standard position". He also shows us multiple move-orders to reach the standard position. Easy to follow and inspiring stuff. He also covers early Black deviations, including 3...Be7 (a popular way to avoid the "souped-up" Exchange variation) and 3...c5 (Tarrasch).

The Semi-Slav

Ward's suggestion in the Semi-Slav is based on the Meran system with an early e3, blocking in the dark-squared bishop (who really wants to venture into the insanely complex Botvinnik system?).

The Slav

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 Ward suggests 3.Nc3 (most popular here is 3.Nf3 to prevent 3...e5, the Winawer Gambit). Ward shows how to meet that gambit in addition to the main lines. This chapter is relatively small, as Black's sharp lines transpose into the Semi-Slav already covered.

Other Black Second Moves

And here we get coverage of the Chigorin, Albin Counter-Gambit, and a couple of other early deviations by Black.

Conclusion

I haven't checked the lines in-depth, and like I said earlier I'm not very familiar with the queen's gambit. But this is the book I'd use to take up this opening.

Score: 8 out of 10