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.

    A Strategic Opening Repertoire
    In 1998 a slim volume by IM John Donaldson explored the crafting of a sophisticated but easily assimilated group of interrelated opening strategies intending to establish small but lasting advantages. The result, A Strategic Opening Repertoire was an instant success. Now this second edition, revised by Danish FM Carsten Hansen with the assistance of John Donaldson, is greatly expanded - twice the size, with many more games and detailed explanations.
    img

    A Strategic Opening Repertoire
    Catalog Code: B0027RE
    Our Price: $29.95

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 7
    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 7
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Catalog Code: B0007SOS
    Our Price: $21.95

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 6
    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 6
    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Catalog Code: B0006SOS
    Our Price: $21.95

    Transpo Tricks in Chess
    In chess, a transposition is a known position reached by a different move order than usual - a less obvious way of getting to somewhere you want to go, leading to confusion for your opponent. Every chess player has a number of them in his arsenal, and they are used most often in openings.
    img

    Transpo Tricks in Chess
    Catalog Code: B0007BT
    Our Price: $21.95

    Secrets of Opening Preparation
    Dvoretsky School of Future Chess Champions - VOLUME 2
    This helpful chess handbook discusses how to build an opening repertoire and produce opening novelties. Additionally, it explores the connection between the opening and the later stages of the middlegame and the endgame.
    img

    Secrets of Opening Preparation
    Dvoretsky School of Future Chess Champions - VOLUME 2
    Catalog Code: B0007OE
    Our Price: $39.95

    A Spanish Repertoire for Black
    As the title suggests, the repertoire is based on the respected Spanish Opening, or the Ruy Lopez, as it is commonly called in the United States. In his previous book, Beating the Open Games, Grandmaster Mihail Marin dealt with White's options up to 3.Bb5. Now Marin provides all the answers for Black after 4.Ba4.
    img

    A Spanish Repertoire for Black
    Catalog Code: B0008QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    Starting Out - Classical Sicilian
    In this book, Alexander Raetsky and Maxim Chetverik revisit the basics of the Classical Sicilian, elaborating on the crucial early moves and plans for both sides in a way that is often neglected in other texts.
    img

    Starting Out - Classical Sicilian
    Catalog Code: B0018EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Grandmaster Secrets - The Caro-Kann
    The Inside Story on a Popular and Rich Opening Complex
    Chess Explained is a new series of books about chess openings. They are not theoretical works in the traditional sense, but more a series of lessons from a chess expert with extensive over-the-board experience with an opening. You will gain an understanding of the opening and the middlegames to which it leads, enabling you to find the right moves and plans in your own games.
    img

    Grandmaster Secrets - The Caro-Kann
    The Inside Story on a Popular and Rich Opening Complex
    Catalog Code: B0018GB
    Our Price: $29.95

    White to Play and Win PLUS Simple Chess
    When "White to Play and Win" was first published, it created a great sensation because the author, Weaver W. Adams, claimed to be able to prove that White has a win by force from the very first move, against any defense. Although the author was never able to prove his central thesis, he did prove that these lines were lethal against the average tournament chess player.
    img

    White to Play and Win PLUS Simple Chess
    Catalog Code: B0022IS
    Our Price: $19.95

    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 1
    The Complete 1. e4
    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 1
    The Complete 1. e4
    Catalog Code: B0023NIC
    Our Price: $29.95

    Starting Out - Sicilian Sveshnikov
    This book is a further addition to Everyman's best-selling Starting Out series, which has been acclaimed for its original approach to tackling chess openings. John Cox revisits the fundamentals of the Sveshnikov, elaborating on the crucial early moves and ideas for both sides in a way that is often neglected in other texts.
    img

    Starting Out - Sicilian Sveshnikov
    Catalog Code: B0025EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    51 Chess Openings for Beginners
    What the Chess Openings Look Like
    Chess openings are the most important part of every novice's journey and the most fun. The most common and important openings are presented in an easy-to-use format with large, frequent diagrams showing every position along with clear explanations of the goals, objectives, and concepts behind the moves.
    img

    51 Chess Openings for Beginners
    What the Chess Openings Look Like
    Catalog Code: B0027CZ
    Our Price: $12.95

    Starting Out - Colle
    This book is a further addition to Everyman's best-selling Starting Out series, which has been acclaimed for its original approach to tackling chess openings. International Master Richard Palliser examines the fundamentals of the Colle, elaborating on the crucial early moves and ideas for both sides in a way that is often neglected in other texts.
    img

    Starting Out - Colle
    Catalog Code: B0029EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Starting Out - The Accelerated Dragon
    Fundamental Coverage of a Dynamic Sicilian
    The Accelerated Dragon is a dynamic choice for Black and arguably the most natural way to play the Sicilian Defence: Black develops rapidly and chooses the most active squares to place his or her pieces. Unknowing white players looking for a direct attack similar to the one used against traditional Dragon are shocked by Black's increased options due to the flexible move order.
    img

    Starting Out - The Accelerated Dragon
    Fundamental Coverage of a Dynamic Sicilian
    Catalog Code: B0030EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Chess Opening Trap of the Day
    Learn to Play and Defend Against Tricky Opening Traps
    Great for beginners who want to improve their game and intermediate players who love challenges, this powerful collection of opening traps will immediately improve your play and have your opponents fearing you. You'll learn how to spot the everyday opening mistakes made by opponents and how to take advantage of these mistakes by setting opening traps.
    img

    Chess Opening Trap of the Day
    Learn to Play and Defend Against Tricky Opening Traps
    Catalog Code: B0034CZ
    Our Price: $14.95

    Pirc in Black and White
    Detailed Coverage of an Enterprising Chess Opening
    In this book James Vigus provides an up-to-date appraisal of the Pirc and its many variations. Using illustrative games, he examines the traditional main lines, the fashionable alternatives and the tricky sidelines, while outlining the typical tactical and positional ideas for both White and Black. A study of this book will allow the reader to begin playing the Pirc with confidence in his or her own games.
    img

    Pirc in Black and White
    Detailed Coverage of an Enterprising Chess Opening
    Catalog Code: B0055EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Chess Explained - The c3 Sicilian
    A New Approach to Understanding the Chess Openings
    Chess Explained is a new series of books about chess openings. They are not theoretical works in the traditional sense, but more a series of lessons from a chess expert with extensive over-the-board experience with an opening. You will gain an understanding of the opening and the middlegames to which it leads, enabling you to find the right moves and plans in your own games.
    img

    Chess Explained - The c3 Sicilian
    A New Approach to Understanding the Chess Openings
    Catalog Code: B0063GB
    Our Price: $19.95

    Chess Explained - The Meran Semi-Slav
    A Dynamic Opening Explained with Words and Examples
    Chess Explained books provide an understanding of an opening and the middlegames to which it leads, enabling you to find the right moves and plans in your own games. It is as if you were sitting at the board with a chess coach answering your questions about the plans for both sides, the ideas behind particular moves, and what specific knowledge you need to have.
    img

    Chess Explained - The Meran Semi-Slav
    A Dynamic Opening Explained with Words and Examples
    Catalog Code: B0064GB
    Our Price: $23.95

    Play the Ruy Lopez
    A Complete Repertoire in a Famous Opening
    The Ruy Lopez is an incredibly popular opening at all levels of chess; this is perhaps unsurprising given that it's recognized by most experts as White's greatest chance of obtaining a lasting advantage after the moves 1. e4 e5. Also known as the Spanish Opening, the Lopez is steeped in rich tradition, having provided the battleground for countless clashes between World Champions of past and present: Kasparov, Fischer, Karpov, Topalov, Kramnik, Anand - the list is endless!
    img

    Play the Ruy Lopez
    A Complete Repertoire in a Famous Opening
    Catalog Code: B0066EM
    Our Price: $25.95

    Play 1... Nc6
    A Complete Chess Opening Repertoire For Black
    Are you constantly struggling with the black pieces? Cant make up your mind which openings to play? Are you looking for something new: an all-in-one solution to your problems? Look no further! In this original book, Christoph Wisnewski, who is renowned for his innovative and adventurous opening ideas, provides the reader with an ambitious and all-encompassing repertoire for Black against every main line opening that White can play, based on the initial move 1...Nc6.
    img

    Play 1... Nc6
    A Complete Chess Opening Repertoire For Black
    Catalog Code: B0067EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Play the Caro-Kann
    A Complete Chess Opening Repertoire Against 1. e4
    In this book, International Master Jovanka Houska presents the reader with a concise and trustworthy repertoire within the Caro-Kann, providing a solution against all of White's main options, and efficient methods to deal with tricky sidelines. Houska examines the important tactical and strategic plans for both sides, arming the reader with enough information to begin playing the Caro-Kann with confidence in their own games.
    img

    Play the Caro-Kann
    A Complete Chess Opening Repertoire Against 1. e4
    Catalog Code: B0071EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Mastering the Chess Openings - VOLUME 2
    Unlock the Mysteries of the Modern Chess Openings
    For most chess-players, opening study is sheer hard work. It is hard to know what is important and what is not, and when specific knowledge is vital, or when a more general understanding is sufficient. Tragically often, once the opening is over, a player won't know what plan to follow, or even understand why his pieces are on the squares on which they sit. John Watson seeks to help chess-players achieve a more holistic and insightful view of the openings. In his previous books on chess strategy, he explained vital concepts that had previously been the domain only of top-class players.
    img

    Mastering the Chess Openings - VOLUME 2
    Unlock the Mysteries of the Modern Chess Openings
    Catalog Code: B0076GB
    Our Price: $29.95

    Play the Grunfeld
    Detailed Coverage of this Kasparov Favourite
    The Grunfeld is an exciting and dynamic answer to 1. d4, and has become very popular at all levels of chess. A major reason for this is that it has been a long-time favorite of the World's strongest-ever chess player, Garry Kasparov, who used it many times in his numerous World Championship battles. The Grunfeld very much relies on the principles of the hyper-modern school of chess: Black allows White to erect an impressive-looking center on the assumption that in the long run it could prove to be more of a liability than an asset.
    img

    Play the Grunfeld
    Detailed Coverage of this Kasparov Favourite
    Catalog Code: B0077EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Gambiteer I
    A Hard-Hitting Chess Opening Repertoire for White
    Are you fearless in your approach to chess openings? Do you like to attack your opponents from the very beginning? Are you happy to take calculated risks? Do you loathe trivial positional chess? Do you feel the need to sacrifice pawns early in the game? Are you a Gambiteer? If the answer to these questions is 'yes!', then this is the book for you!
    img

    Gambiteer I
    A Hard-Hitting Chess Opening Repertoire for White
    Catalog Code: B0084EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Gambiteer II
    A Hard-Hitting Chess Opening Repertoire for Black
    A Hard-hitting Chess Opening Repertoire for Black based on the Schliemann Gambit and Albin Counter-Gambit. Are you fearless in your approach to chess openings? Do you like to attack your opponents from the very beginning? Are you happy to take calculated risks? Are you a Gambiteer? If the answer to these questions is 'yes' then this is the book for you!
    img

    Gambiteer II
    A Hard-Hitting Chess Opening Repertoire for Black
    Catalog Code: B0085EM

    Regular Price: $24.95

    Special Price: $9.98


    Chess Explained - The Modern Benoni
    A New Approach to Understanding the Chess Openings
    Chess Explained is a new series of books about chess openings. They are not theoretical works in the traditional sense, but more a series of lessons from a chess expert with extensive over-the-board experience with an opening. You will gain an understanding of the opening and the middlegames to which it leads, enabling you to find the right moves and plans in your own games. It is as if you were sitting at the board with a chess coach answering your questions about the plans for both sides, the ideas behind particular moves, and what specific knowledge you need to have.
    img

    Chess Explained - The Modern Benoni
    A New Approach to Understanding the Chess Openings
    Catalog Code: B0091GB
    Our Price: $23.95

    The Ruy Lopez - a Guide for Black
    A Reliable Defense with more than a Spark of Aggression
    The Ruy Lopez (or Spanish Opening) is one of the critical chess battlegrounds. It has long been recommended as an excellent chess opening for training purposes, as it leads to a wide variety of structures and strategies. This book is a complete guide to handling the black side of the Lopez, based principally around the Zaitsev Variation, upon which Anatoly Karpov relied during much of his career. This line leads to sharp play, often in open battles where Black gains active counterplay and challenges White to seize the initiative on the kingside.
    img

    The Ruy Lopez - a Guide for Black
    A Reliable Defense with more than a Spark of Aggression
    Catalog Code: B0095GB
    Our Price: $14.95

    Chess Explained - The Queen's Gambit Declined
    A New Approach to Understanding the Chess Openings
    Books are not theoretical works in the traditional sense, but more a series of lessons from a chess expert with extensive over-the-board experience with an opening. You will gain an understanding of the opening and the middlegames to which it leads, enabling you to find the right moves and plans in your own games. It is as if you were sitting at the board with a chess coach answering your questions about the plans for both sides, the ideas behind particular moves, and what specific knowledge you need to have.
    img

    Chess Explained - The Queen's Gambit Declined
    A New Approach to Understanding the Chess Openings
    Catalog Code: B0126GB
    Our Price: $23.95

    Beating Unusual Chess Openings
    Dealing with the English, Reti, King's Indian Attack and Other Annoying Systems
    Beating Unusual Chess Openings is a godsend to those chess players fed up with struggling against all opening moves other than White's main two: 1 e4 and 1 d4. From the respectable (English Opening, Reti and King's Indian Attack) through to the off-beat (Nimzo-Larsen Attack, Bird's Opening) and the totally bizarre (Orangutan, Grob); everything Black needs to know about facing unusual openings is covered within these pages.
    img

    Beating Unusual Chess Openings
    Dealing with the English, Reti, King's Indian Attack and Other Annoying Systems
    Catalog Code: B0155EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Fighting the Anti-Sicilians
    Combating 2. c3, the Closed, the Morra Gambit and Other Tricky Ideas
    The Sicilian Defence is by far Black's most popular answer to 1. e4 at all levels of chess. The reason for this is easy to understand: from the very first move Black unbalances the position and can play for a win without needing to take unjustified risks. This is particularly the case with the Open Sicilian, where Black can take comfort from the knowledge that his superior pawn structure ensures control of the centre and excellent long-term chances.
    img

    Fighting the Anti-Sicilians
    Combating 2. c3, the Closed, the Morra Gambit and Other Tricky Ideas
    Catalog Code: B0157EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Philidor Files
    Detailed Coverage of a Dynamic Opening
    The Philidor is a dynamic and underrated answer to White's most popular opening move, 1. e4. Recently it has acquired something of a cult following amongst certain Grandmasters; its supporters include the French number one Etienne Bacrot and the former European Champion Liviu Dieter-Nisipeanu. One of its major selling points is its flexibility - Black even has a choice of two opening moves. It also suits a wide variety of playing styles. Games can lead to sharp, tactical duels as well as strategic, positional battles.

    In this book Christian Bauer, himself a renowned Philidor expert, uncovers the secrets behind this intriguing opening. Using his own experience and other top-class Philidor games, Bauer identifies both the critical main lines and the tricky sidelines. He also examines the key tactical and strategic ideas for both White and Black, while highlighting crucial issues such as move-order options - a major weapon for the modern Grandmaster.

    * Comprehensive coverage of a provocative opening
    * Packed with original analysis
    * Ideal for club and tournament players
    img

    Philidor Files
    Detailed Coverage of a Dynamic Opening
    Catalog Code: B0160EM
    Our Price: $25.95

    Dangerous Weapons - French
    Dazzle Your Opponents!
    In Dangerous Weapons: The French, International Master John Watson takes a revolutionary look at one of the most famous and widely-played chess openings: the French Defence. Instead of travelling down well-trodden and analyzed paths, Watson concentrates on fresh or little-explored variations of the French, selecting a wealth of "dangerous" options for both colours. Whether playing White or Black, a study of this book will leave you confident and fully-armed, and your opponents running for cover!
    img

    Dangerous Weapons - French
    Dazzle Your Opponents!
    Catalog Code: B0190EM
    Our Price: $25.95

lb