Exactly 25 years ago, this book ranked as an absolute bestseller, which unfortunately was removed from the program of the Sports Publishing House Berlin after a short time. The reason: co-author and chess coach Gerhard Schmidt had emigrated from the GDR to the West. Thus, this excellent title, which was particularly regarded as a well-kept secret in chess circles due to its solid and comprehensible presentation, was subsequently placed on the index. However, the strategic theme of the open file and the connections between position types and relevant plans are fortunately timeless. The present new edition, thoroughly revised, also includes games from the practice of today's top players. The volume is particularly enriched by the wealth of insights and experiences of Dresden grandmaster Wolfgang Uhlmann, who is rightly considered one of the most successful German chess players of all time.