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.

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Items 1 to 36 of 74

    Grandmaster Repertoire 12 - The Modern Benoni
    The Modern Benoni arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6. It leads to unbalanced structures and exciting play, so it has naturally been a favourite of ambitious attacking players such as Tal, Fischer and, more recently, Topalov, Ivanchuk and Gashimov.
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    Grandmaster Repertoire 12 - The Modern Benoni

    Catalog Code: B0075QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    Grandmaster Repertoire 13 - The Open Spanish
    Tired of Bad Positions? Try the Main Lines!
    Grandmaster Repertoire 13 – The Open Spanish provides a complete repertoire for Black after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, based on the Open Variation which occurs after 5.0–0 Nxe4. Black’s system is built on the principles of fast and active development, and fighting for the initiative whenever the opportunity arises.
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    Grandmaster Repertoire 13 - The Open Spanish

    Tired of Bad Positions? Try the Main Lines!
    Catalog Code: B0073QT
    Our Price: $39.95

    Grandmaster Repertoire 11 - Beating 1.d4 Sidelines
    Grandmaster Repertoire 11 – Beating 1.d4 Sidelines provides a sound and active repertoire against virtually every non-standard opening line at White’s disposal after both 1.d4 d5 and 1.d4 Nf6.
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    Grandmaster Repertoire 11 - Beating 1.d4 Sidelines

    Catalog Code: B0071QT
    Our Price: $34.95

    Playing 1. d4 - The Indian Defences
    A Grandmaster's Guide
    Chess players are offered an ambitious repertoire for White with 1.d4 in two volumes, with this book covering all lines except 1...d5. The repertoire is based on classical lines and inspired by Botvinnik’s approach.
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    Playing 1. d4 - The Indian Defences

    A Grandmaster's Guide
    Catalog Code: B0070QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    Attack with Black
    A Ukrainian Champion Provides a Blockbuster Repertoire with the Benko and Blumenfeld Gambits
    Aveskulov examines all of White's options and move-orders after 1 d4 Nf6, and shows an aggressive reply to each of them.
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    Attack with Black

    A Ukrainian Champion Provides a Blockbuster Repertoire with the Benko and Blumenfeld Gambits
    Catalog Code: B0182GB
    Our Price: $22.95

    A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for White
    A Complete Plan of Attack with 1. d4 and 2. c4
    Such has been the acclaim for John Watson's ground-breaking works on modern chess strategy and his insightful opening books, that it is only natural that he now presents a strategic opening repertoire.
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    A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for White

    A Complete Plan of Attack with 1. d4 and 2. c4
    Catalog Code: B0181GB
    Our Price: $26.95

    Mayhem in the Morra
    1... c5 Wiped Off the Map! - Sicilian Refuted!
    Esserman is the world's leading expert on the Morra Gambit and he shares all his secrets and many novelties in a lively witty style. The Morra leads to exciting gambit play, so some players decline the offer with 3...Nf6 - Esserman also shows how White can attack this cautious defence.
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    Mayhem in the Morra

    1... c5 Wiped Off the Map! - Sicilian Refuted!
    Catalog Code: B0065QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Alterman Gambit Guide - Black Gambits - VOLUME 2
    This volume deals with various openings after 1.e4 e5, and lines covered include: Marshall Attack, Traxler variation, Frankenstein-Dracula variation, Falkbeer Counter-Gambit and more.
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    The Alterman Gambit Guide - Black Gambits - VOLUME 2

    Catalog Code: B0063QT
    Our Price: $25.95

    A Rock-Solid Chess Opening Repertoire for Black
    The French Connection - Winning Ways with 1. e4 e6 and 1. d4 e6
    In this book, Grandmaster Eingorn shows that it is possible both to play solidly, and to take White out of his comfort zone. He recommends ideas and move-orders that are a little off the beaten track, but which he has very carefully worked out over many years of his own practice.
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    A Rock-Solid Chess Opening Repertoire for Black

    The French Connection - Winning Ways with 1. e4 e6 and 1. d4 e6
    Catalog Code: B0180GB
    Our Price: $23.95

    Playing 1.d4 - The Queen's Gambit
    This book offers White an easy to remember aggressive repertoire, based on occupying the centre and then expanding. Schandorff presents the ideas and information in an accessible and entertaining style.
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    Playing 1.d4 - The Queen's Gambit

    Catalog Code: B0067QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Tarrasch Defense - Grandmaster Repertoire 10
    The Tarrasch Defense arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3._c3 c5 and leads to wildly complex and dynamic play. With deep analysis and countless novelties, Ntirlis and Aagaard have revived the coolest classical chess opening for use by grandmasters and amateurs in the 21st century.
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    The Tarrasch Defense - Grandmaster Repertoire 10

    Catalog Code: B0064QT
    Our Price: $34.95

    The Grunfeld Defence - Grandmaster Repertoire 8 - VOLUME 1
    Grandmaster Repertoire is a series of high quality chess books based on the main lines, written by strong grandmasters. The aim is to provide the reader with a complete repertoire at a level good enough for elite tournaments, and certainly also for the club championship. Grandmaster Repertoire 8 - The Grünfeld Defence offers a repertoire for Black against 1.d4.
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    The Grunfeld Defence - Grandmaster Repertoire 8 - VOLUME 1

    Catalog Code: B0050QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Grunfeld Defence - Grandmaster Repertoire 9 - VOLUME 2
    The aim is to provide the reader with a complete repertoire at a level good enough for elite tournaments, and certainly also for the club championship. Grandmaster Repertoire 8 - The Grünfeld Defence offers a repertoire for Black against 1.d4. Avrukh's two previous Grandmaster Repertoire books for White received universal rave reviews and have been hugely influential on chess players all over the world, including at the very highest level.
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    The Grunfeld Defence - Grandmaster Repertoire 9 - VOLUME 2

    Catalog Code: B0060QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    Experts on the Anti-Sicilian
    The Sicilian Defense, 1.e4 c5, is one of the popular chess openings. In this book several chess grandmasters present state-of-the-art analysis of lines where White meets the Sicilian by avoiding the Open variations.
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    Experts on the Anti-Sicilian

    Catalog Code: B0052QT
    Our Price: $32.95

    Chess Openings for Kids
    Featuring 50 Mighty Opening Systems
    For chess-players of all ages and abilities, it is vital to get off to a good start. This simple guide provides all the tips and ideas needed to play purposefully from move one. That's because these 50 Mighty Openings are the very ones used by chess masters and grandmasters to outwit opponents time and again. This book teaches the names and starting moves of all the main chess openings, and explains the basic ideas.
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    Chess Openings for Kids

    Featuring 50 Mighty Opening Systems
    Catalog Code: B0164GB
    Our Price: $16.95

    Alterman Gambit Guide - Black Gambits - VOLUME 1
    The Alterman Gambit Guide: Black Gambits 1 is both an opening book and an instructional manual. Sharpen your tactics and learn to play dynamic attacking chess while studying the most entertaining gambits.
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    Alterman Gambit Guide - Black Gambits - VOLUME 1

    Catalog Code: B0055QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Cutting Edge - VOLUME 2 - The Najdorf Sicilian 6. Be3
    This book is part of a new series from Quality Chess examining the cutting edge of opening theory. The idea is to identify the most important theoretical battlegrounds and then analyse as deeply as possible in search of improvements. Thus the reader will be ahead of the current state-of-the-art, rather than lagging behind trying to memorize old games.
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    The Cutting Edge - VOLUME 2 - The Najdorf Sicilian 6. Be3

    Catalog Code: B0046QT

    Regular Price: $29.95

    Special Price: $11.98


    The English Opening - Grandmaster Repertoire 4 - VOLUME 2
    Grandmaster Repertoire is a new series of high quality books based on the main lines, written by strong grandmasters. The aim is to provide the reader with a complete repertoire at a level good enough for elite tournaments, and certainly also for the club championship.
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    The English Opening - Grandmaster Repertoire 4 - VOLUME 2

    Catalog Code: B0042QT
    Our Price: $34.95

    The English Opening - Grandmaster Repertoire 5 - VOLUME 3
    Grandmaster Repertoire is a new series of high quality books based on the main lines, written by strong grandmasters. The aim is to provide the reader with a complete repertoire at a level good enough for elite tournaments, and certainly also for the club championship. Grandmaster Repertoire provides a repertoire to last a lifetime.
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    The English Opening - Grandmaster Repertoire 5 - VOLUME 3

    Catalog Code: B0044QT
    Our Price: $34.95

    The Caro-Kann - Grandmaster Repertoire 7
    In chess, the Caro-Kann opening is one of Black's most reliable answers to 1.e4. It is a regular favorite of elite players, who know that computer-aided preparation now threatens the sharpest lines of the Sicilian or Ruy Lopez (at the very least with a forced draw).

    The Caro-Kann is less susceptible to such forcing lines - Black sets out to equalize in the opening, and win the game later. Grandmaster Lars Schandorff reveals a bulletproof chess opening repertoire and lucidly explains how Black should play the middle and endgame
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    The Caro-Kann - Grandmaster Repertoire 7

    Catalog Code: B0037QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    Play the Scandinavian
    After one move of the Scandinavian opening, 1. e4 d5, Black decides where the battle will be fought - a significant gain for any competitive player. Grandmaster Christian Bauer is one of the world's leading experts on the Scandinavian and in this book he reveals the secrets of his over-the-board success. Bauer focuses particularly on 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5, the established main line of the Scandinavian.
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    Play the Scandinavian

    Catalog Code: B0043QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Sicilian Defense - Grandmaster Repertoire 6
    Grandmaster Repertoire is a new series of high quality chess books based on the main lines, written by strong grandmasters. The aim is to provide the reader with a complete repertoire at a level good enough for elite tournaments, and certainly also for the club championship. Grandmaster Repertoire provides a repertoire to last a lifetime.
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    The Sicilian Defense - Grandmaster Repertoire 6

    Catalog Code: B0039QT
    Our Price: $34.95

    Mastering the Chess Openings - VOLUME 4
    Gambits - Preparation - Fianchettoes - Symmetry
    In this highly-acclaimed and popular series, John Watson helps chess-players achieve a more holistic and insightful view of the openings. He explains not only the ideas and strategies behind specific openings, but also the interconnections of chess openings taken as a whole. By presenting the common threads that underlie opening play, Watson provides a permanent basis for playing openings of any type.
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    Mastering the Chess Openings - VOLUME 4

    Gambits - Preparation - Fianchettoes - Symmetry
    Catalog Code: B0162GB
    Our Price: $29.95

    A Killer Chess Opening Repertoire
    An Easy-to-Learn Repertoire for the Chessboard Assassin
    Bored with the same old openings? Worried about having to learn too much theory? Then this book will come as a godsend. Aaron Summerscale presents a set of exceptionally dangerous opening weapons for White. Each recommended line is based on a solid positional foundation, yet also promises long-term (and short-term!) attacking chances.
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    A Killer Chess Opening Repertoire

    An Easy-to-Learn Repertoire for the Chessboard Assassin
    Catalog Code: B0159GB
    Our Price: $19.75

    Understanding The Marshall Attack
    A Layman's Guide to the Supergrandmasters' Favourite Gambit
    The Marshall Attack is a chess opening like no other. Rather than subjecting himself to the 'Spanish torture' so typical in the Ruy Lopez, Black simply gives away a centre pawn. But in return, he gets long-term attacking chances and activity that can persist well into the endgame.
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    Understanding The Marshall Attack

    A Layman's Guide to the Supergrandmasters' Favourite Gambit
    Catalog Code: B0160GB
    Our Price: $23.95

    1. d4 - Grandmaster Repertoire 2 - VOLUME 2
    "Grandmaster Repertoire" is a new series of high quality chess books based on the main lines, written by strong grandmasters. The aim is to provide the reader with a complete repertoire at a level good enough for elite tournaments, and certainly also for the club championship.
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    1. d4 - Grandmaster Repertoire 2 - VOLUME 2

    Catalog Code: B0033QT
    Our Price: $34.95

    Play the Alekhine
    A Life-Long Specialist Explains an Uncompromising Chess Opening
    The Alekhine is arguably the most forcing and aggressive reply to 1 e4. Black immediately forces the pace and drags the game onto his own favoured territory. This strategy is not without risk, but those who specialize in the Alekhine find that the opening has a real practical sting and quick-strike potential.
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    Play the Alekhine

    A Life-Long Specialist Explains an Uncompromising Chess Opening
    Catalog Code: B0143GB
    Our Price: $19.95

    Fundamental Chess Openings (FCO)
    A New One-Volume Guide to All the Chess Openings
    The first moves of a chess game define the nature of the whole struggle, as both players stake their claim to the critical squares and start to develop their plans. It is essential to play purposefully and to avoid falling into traps or reaching a position that you don't understand.
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    Fundamental Chess Openings (FCO)

    A New One-Volume Guide to All the Chess Openings
    Catalog Code: B0142GB
    Our Price: $29.95

    The English Opening - Grandmaster Repertoire 3 - VOLUME 1
    Grandmaster Repertoire is a new series of high quality books based on the main lines, written by strong grandmasters. The aim is to provide the reader with a complete repertoire at a level good enough for elite tournaments, and certainly also for the club championship.
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    The English Opening - Grandmaster Repertoire 3 - VOLUME 1

    Catalog Code: B0020QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    Chess Explained - The Grunfeld
    A Guide to a Dynamic Counterattacking Opening
    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. The Grunfeld Defense is one of the most aggressive openings at Black's disposal.
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    Chess Explained - The Grunfeld

    A Guide to a Dynamic Counterattacking Opening
    Catalog Code: B0049GB
    Our Price: $24.95

    Chess Explained - The Main Line Slav
    Exploring the Dynamics of an Intricate and Robust Opening
    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. The Main-Line Slav is one of the key battlegrounds of modern chess, with adherents among all levels of chess-players.
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    Chess Explained - The Main Line Slav

    Exploring the Dynamics of an Intricate and Robust Opening
    Catalog Code: B0048GB
    Our Price: $24.95

    Win With The Stonewall Dutch
    Rock Solid or Flexible - Your Choice!
    The Stonewall Dutch is a traditional favourite amongst club players, as it offers Black ready-made attacking plans on the kingside. As Grandmaster Bent Larsen has noted, the Dutch also has the tendency to 'bring out the coward' in opponents, giving it an added practical sting. However, up until the late 1980s, the Stonewall wasn't fully trusted at grandmaster level, despite its earlier use by Alekhine and Botvinnik. Black's attacking plans were too one-sided, and White's methods too well worked out.
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    Win With The Stonewall Dutch

    Rock Solid or Flexible - Your Choice!
    Catalog Code: B0137GB
    Our Price: $29.95

    Beat the KID
    The King's Indian Defence is one of Black's most ambitious and popular replies to 1.d4 so White needs to be well prepared. Jan Markos shows the way with three separate repertoires for White. Each of the lines he explains has a different style, ranging from solidly positional to wildly attacking.
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    Beat the KID

    Catalog Code: B0003QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    1. d4 - Grandmaster Repertoire 1 - VOLUME 1
    "Grandmaster Repertoire" is a new series of high quality chess books based on the main lines, written by strong grandmasters. The aim is to provide the reader with a complete repertoire at a level good enough for elite tournaments, and certainly also for the club championship.
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    1. d4 - Grandmaster Repertoire 1 - VOLUME 1

    Catalog Code: B0026QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Berlin Wall
    The Berlin variation of the Spanish Opening is one of the best and most popular openings among world-class chess players because there are relatively few forcing lines. Black can play a completely sound chess opening based on understanding, rather than memorising theory.
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    The Berlin Wall

    Catalog Code: B0019QT
    Our Price: $29.95

    Mastering the Chess Openings - VOLUME 3
    Flank Openings, Practical Play and General Topics
    In this highly-acclaimed and popular series, John Watson helps chess-players achieve a more holistic and insightful view of the openings. He explains not only the ideas and strategies behind specific openings, but also the interconnections of chess openings taken as a whole. By presenting the common threads that underlie opening play, Watson provides a permanent basis for playing openings of any type.
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    Mastering the Chess Openings - VOLUME 3

    Flank Openings, Practical Play and General Topics
    Catalog Code: B0055GB
    Our Price: $29.95

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