CHESS OPENING BOOKS

The first phase of a chess game is known as the Chess Opening. It is during this phase of the chess game that the initial moves are made. Similarly, those moves are commonly referred to in the chess world as the “Chess Opening”. While there are literally billions of possible positions after the first 4 moves have been made in a game of chess (288 billion to be exact), only a small number of these chess openings have been studied by chess professionals and chess computers and deemed to be sound for practical play.

To help differentiate one chess opening from another, each chess opening is given a unique name to identify it. While it is common for a chess opening to be named after the player/s that introduced them to popular play, including the Benko Gambit (after Grandmaster Pal Benko), the Sicilian Najdorf (named after Grandmaster Miguel Najdorf) and the Philidor Defense (named after Francois-Andre Danican Philidor), this is not always the case Some chess openings are named after the locations and/or cultures in which they originated, including the London System, the French Defense, the Sicilian Defense, The English Opening and the Vienna Game. While others are named after the pieces that are moved during that opening, including the Queen’s Pawn Gambit and the King’s Indian Defense.

There are 6 basic objectives during the chess opening. They are Piece Development, Control of the Center of the Board, King Safety, Prevention of Pawn Weakness, Piece Coordination and to Create positions in which the player is more comfortable than the opponent.

Page:
  1. 1
  2. 2

Items 1 to 36 of 66

    The Perfect Pirc-Modern
    Strategic ideas and Powerful Weapons
    In Strategic Play Jacob Aagaard digs deep into the most complex area of chess thinking. The games and exercises in this book transcend regular chess skills, such as pattern recognition, calculation and positional analysis. Building on the two previous books in the Grandmaster Preparation series, this book challenges the reader to explore the complexities of chess, offering clarity and understanding through Aagaard’s straightforward approach.
    img

    The Perfect Pirc-Modern
    Strategic ideas and Powerful Weapons
    Catalog Code: B0125NIC
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Dynamic Benko Gambit
    An Attacking Repertoire for Black
    The Benko Gambit is a great opening for those who like active play. Black sacrifices a pawn in order to activate his pieces on the queenside, and generally gains enduring pressure.
    img

    The Dynamic Benko Gambit
    An Attacking Repertoire for Black
    Catalog Code: B0121NIC
    Our Price: $32.95

    The Powerful Catalan
    A Complete Repertoire For White
    In this book top Grandmaster Victor Bologan presents a complete repertoire for White. He covers all of Black’s options as well as possible transpositions to other openings.
    img

    The Powerful Catalan
    A Complete Repertoire For White
    Catalog Code: B0122NIC
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Modern French
    A Complete Guide for Black
    This is a complete and up-to-date work for players of all levels, and contains brand-new concepts in topical modern lines such as the Steinitz, McCutcheon and Morozevich Variations.
    img

    The Modern French
    A Complete Guide for Black
    Catalog Code: B0116NIC
    Our Price: $32.95

    The Strategic Nimzo-Indian - VOLUME 1
    A Complete Guide to the Rubinstein Variation
    The Nimzo-Indian Defence continues to be one of the most important chess openings, both at club level and with top players. In recent years it has undergone a number of significant changes and it's high time for a thorough look at the current state of affairs. Top grandmaster Ivan Sokolov is the perfect authority to do so.
    img

    The Strategic Nimzo-Indian - VOLUME 1
    A Complete Guide to the Rubinstein Variation
    Catalog Code: B0114NIC
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Kaufman Repertoire for Black & White
    A Complete, Sound and User-Friendly Chess Opening Repertoire
    The Kaufman Repertoire for Black and White contains many improvements on existing opening theory and offers a good balance between narrative and variations.
    img

    The Kaufman Repertoire for Black & White

    A Complete, Sound and User-Friendly Chess Opening Repertoire
    Catalog Code: B0117NIC
    Our Price: $29.95

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 14
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Secrets of Opening Surprises brings you a wide variety of unusual opening ideas.
    img

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 14
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Catalog Code: B0014SOS
    Our Price: $21.95

    The Ragozin Complex
    A Guide for White and Black
    The Ragozin Complex is a flexible and versatile chess opening system that, despite its popularity, rarely has been a subject of serious study in chess literature. A hybrid of the Queen's Gambit and the Nimzo-Indian Defence, the Ragozin featured in a famous book by Soviet theoretician Lipnitsky in the 1950s. Bobby Fischer decided to learn Russian to be able to read that work and immediately afterwards started playing the Ragozin.
    img

    The Ragozin Complex
    A Guide for White and Black
    Catalog Code: B0106NIC
    Our Price: $27.95

    1.d4 - Beat the Guerrillas!
    A Powerful Opening Repertoire Against Annoying Black Sidelines
    This manual fills a big gap in chess literature. After 1.d4, probably the most widely played opening move in the world, Black can avoid main line theory by deviating into a whole variety of irritating unorthodox sidelines. White players often stumble into unknown and dangerous territory where their tricky opponent awaits them, fully prepared.
    img

    1.d4 - Beat the Guerrillas!
    A Powerful Opening Repertoire Against Annoying Black Sidelines
    Catalog Code: B0107NIC
    Our Price: $24.95

    The Four Knights Game
    A New Adventure in an Old Chess Opening
    The Four Knights variation is one of the oldest chess openings, dating back to the 16th century. In recent years it has been injected with numerous fresh ideas and has shaken off the reputation of being a peaceful choice. White has quite a few ways to create tension and play for the attack.
    img

    The Four Knights Game
    A New Adventure in an Old Chess Opening
    Catalog Code: B0108NIC
    Our Price: $23.95

    NIC Yearbook 100 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Garry Kasparov's Anniversary Survey - The Final World on the Zaitsev Ruy Lopez
    A brand-new 248 page regular edition of The Chess Player's Guide to Opening News with, FREE of charge, 56 pages with a wide range of high-voltage Anniversary extras:
    img

    NIC Yearbook 100 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Garry Kasparov's Anniversary Survey - The Final World on the Zaitsev Ruy Lopez
    Catalog Code: B0100PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Rossolimo Sicilian
    A Powerful Anti-Sicilian that Avoids Tons of Theory
    Play real chess instead of trying to memorize endless database lines! That is what the Rossolimo Sicilian offers and why this opening has become so popular with chess players all over the world. If you play 3.Bb5 in the Sicilian, you do not need to keep up-to-date with the dazzling theoretical developments in all kinds of Open Sicilians.
    img

    The Rossolimo Sicilian
    A Powerful Anti-Sicilian that Avoids Tons of Theory
    Catalog Code: B0103NIC
    Our Price: $24.95

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 13
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Secrets of Opening Surprises brings you a wide variety of unusual opening ideas. They may seem outrageous at first sight, but have proven to be perfectly playable. An SOS deviates very early from the regular lines in a mainstream opening, usually even before move six!
    img

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 13
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Catalog Code: B0013SOS
    Our Price: $21.95

    The Modern Scandinavian
    Themes, Structures and Plans in an Increasingly Popular Chess Opening
    The Modern Scandinavian is an updated and expanded translation of "Modernes Skandinavisch 2", which appeared in 2006 and also became a bestseller. This second book focuses not on theoretical lines but on the structural ideas after the moves 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5.
    img

    The Modern Scandinavian
    Themes, Structures and Plans in an Increasingly Popular Chess Opening
    Catalog Code: B0098NIC
    Our Price: $29.95

    Sicilian Attacks
    Powerful Charges & Topical Tactics
    Against most Sicilian variations, White's sharpest and often best weapon is queenside castling, a strategy that frequently leads to spectacular fireworks. Regrettably, these powerful charges have never been properly categorized. Until this book.In Sicilian Attacks, Grandmaster Yuri Yakovich, who has more than thirty years of experience with complex Sicilian systems, analyses the Najdorf, the Scheveningen, the Dragon, the Taimanov and the Richter-Rauzer Variations.
    img

    Sicilian Attacks
    Powerful Charges & Topical Tactics
    Catalog Code: B0093NIC
    Our Price: $21.95

    The Wonderful Winawer
    Strategic Ideas & Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players
    The widely-played Winawer Variation has been called 'the jewel in the crown of the French Defence'. It is easy to see why. This is an opening for players who love a real fight. Black immediately attacks White's centre and the resulting positional dynamics offer chances to both sides.
    img

    The Wonderful Winawer
    Strategic Ideas & Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players
    Catalog Code: B0094NIC
    Our Price: $23.95

    The Complete c3 Sicilian
    The Alapin Variation by it's Greatest Expert
    It is not difficult to understand why the Alapin Sicilian is such a popular opening with amateur and professional chess players all over the world. Against Black’s most dangerous reply to 1.e4 it simply offers everything you need if you are looking for a reliable scheme that does not take much time to learn.
    img

    The Complete c3 Sicilian
    The Alapin Variation by it's Greatest Expert
    Catalog Code: B0096NIC
    Our Price: $35.95

    NIC Yearbook 95 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Alexander Grischuk - Gimme Your Poisoned Pawn, Baby!
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 95 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Alexander Grischuk - Gimme Your Poisoned Pawn, Baby!
    Catalog Code: B0095HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 95 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Alexander Grischuk - Gimme Your Poisoned Pawn, Baby!
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 95 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Alexander Grischuk - Gimme Your Poisoned Pawn, Baby!
    Catalog Code: B0095PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 12
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Readers of this series can ignore large areas of the ever expanding chess opening theory. They can concentrate on these surprising ideas, because SOS variations deviate very early from the regular lines in mainstream openings. Ideal for players who don't have enough time to keep abreast with main line theory. Appears twice a year. Ready-to-go chess opening ideas.
    img

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 12
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Catalog Code: B0012SOS
    Our Price: $21.95

    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 4
    1. c4 / 1. Nf3 / Other First Moves
    Chess Opening Essentials is an accessible primer and a reference book at the same time. It gives a flavor of how every opening works and explains the similarities with other openings as well as the differences. In addition, it also points at the various middlegame plans that apply after the opening has ended.
    img

    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 4
    1. c4 / 1. Nf3 / Other First Moves
    Catalog Code: B0089NIC
    Our Price: $28.95

    NIC Yearbook 94 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Magnus Carlsen's Midas Touch in the Scotch
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 94 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Magnus Carlsen's Midas Touch in the Scotch
    Catalog Code: B0094HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 94 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Magnus Carlsen's Midas Touch in the Scotch
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 94 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Magnus Carlsen's Midas Touch in the Scotch
    Catalog Code: B0094PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    NIC Yearbook 93 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Short Shrift to the Caro-Kann
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. A must-have publication for serious chess students.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 93 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Short Shrift to the Caro-Kann
    Catalog Code: B0093HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 93 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Short Shrift to the Caro-Kann
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 93 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Short Shrift to the Caro-Kann
    Catalog Code: B0093PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    Dismantling the Sicilian
    A Complete Repertoire for White
    The Sicilian Defence is the most widely played chess opening, both at club level and among top grandmasters. Since Black gets dynamic play in almost all variations, black players of all levels will probably continue to play the Sicilian for a long time to come.
    img

    Dismantling the Sicilian
    A Complete Repertoire for White
    Catalog Code: B0073NIC
    Our Price: $26.95

    NIC Yearbook 92 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Poikovsky Winner Alexander Motylev - One Step Beyond in the Anti-Moscow Slav
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 92 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Poikovsky Winner Alexander Motylev - One Step Beyond in the Anti-Moscow Slav
    Catalog Code: B0092HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 92 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Poikovsky Winner Alexander Motylev - One Step Beyond in the Anti-Moscow Slav
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 92 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Poikovsky Winner Alexander Motylev - One Step Beyond in the Anti-Moscow Slav
    Catalog Code: B0092PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    Ruy Lopez Revisited
    Offbeat Weapons & Unexplored Resources
    The Ruy Lopez (or Spanish Opening) is one of the oldest and most important chess openings, popular with amateurs as well as professional players. Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov presents bold, but very playable, off-beat weapons for Black, as well as dynamic new ideas and refutations in many main-line variations, for both Black and White. An accessible and inspirational book book by world-famous Ivan Sokolov who, in his rich career, has beaten world champions Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand. Much useful material for aspiring club players, said British Chess Magazine about Sokolov's previous book - 'Winning 132,'.
    img

    Ruy Lopez Revisited
    Offbeat Weapons & Unexplored Resources
    Catalog Code: B0084NIC
    Our Price: $27.95

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 11
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Readers of this series can ignore large areas of the ever expanding chess opening theory. They can concentrate on these surprising ideas, because SOS variations deviate very early from the regular lines in mainstream openings. Ideal for players who don't have enough time to keep abreast with main line theory. Appears twice a year. Ready-to-go chess opening ideas.
    img

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 11
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Catalog Code: B0011SOS
    Our Price: $21.95

    NIC Yearbook 91 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Fabio Caruana Keeps Black Searching in the Marshall
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 91 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Fabio Caruana Keeps Black Searching in the Marshall
    Catalog Code: B0091HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 91 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Fabio Caruana Keeps Black Searching in the Marshall
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 91 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Fabio Caruana Keeps Black Searching in the Marshall
    Catalog Code: B0091PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    NIC Yearbook 90 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Leinier Dominguez - Perfect Preparation to Crush Aronian in the Ruy Lopez
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 90 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Leinier Dominguez - Perfect Preparation to Crush Aronian in the Ruy Lopez
    Catalog Code: B0090HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 90 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Leinier Dominguez - Perfect Preparation to Crush Aronian in the Ruy Lopez
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
    img

    NIC Yearbook 90 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Leinier Dominguez - Perfect Preparation to Crush Aronian in the Ruy Lopez
    Catalog Code: B0090PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 2
    1. d4 d5 / 1. d4 Various / Queen's Gambits
    This volume helps beginners to develop a solid understanding of fundamental opening ideas, gives casual players the ability to choose the opening that suits their style and taste, and is a tool for club players to test and review their opening repertoire, as well as a reference book to which advanced players keep returning.
    img

    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 2
    1. d4 d5 / 1. d4 Various / Queen's Gambits
    Catalog Code: B0024NIC
    Our Price: $32.95

    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 3
    The Complete Indian Defenses
    This volume helps beginners to develop a solid understanding of fundamental opening ideas, gives casual players the ability to choose the opening that suits their style and taste, is a tool for club players to test and review their opening repertoire, as well as a reference book to which advanced players keep returning.
    img

    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 3
    The Complete Indian Defenses
    Catalog Code: B0025NIC
    Our Price: $32.95

Page:
  1. 1
  2. 2

Items 1 to 36 of 66

lb