JavaScript seem to be disabled in your browser.

You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website.

Home
Chess Books
Chess Opening Books

Select Your Currency

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.

Sort By

Nimzo-Indian - Classical Variation

The Classical variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defence (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2) was adopted by Capablanca, Euwe and Alekhine in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, but remained relatively unfashionable until recently. Due to the large influence of American Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan and legendary World Champion Grandmaster Garry Kasparov, the Classical has developed into one of White's most feared ways of meeting the Nimzo and is a popular choice with grandmasters and club players.

Nimzo-Indian - Classical Variation

Catalog Code: B0297EM

Regular Price: $14.95

Special Price: $5.98

Winning with the Benko

The Benko Gambit is the perfect choice for players who want to make their opponents suffer. It's not all plain sailing for Black, however. White's frustration with the standard scenarios has led to a variety of Benko-bashing systems. This book not only shows how Black survives those, but also explains how the normal positions work. This provides Black with a complete repertoire featuring original, computer-checked analysis with complete games to highlight the key ideas.

Winning with the Benko

Catalog Code: B0083BT

Our Price: $9.95

The Trompowsky Attack

One of the most dynamic and attacking of all chess openings, the search for new ideas in the Trompowsky has gone beyond the rare and bizarre into the realm of the unorthodox and even bizarre. Somewhere in between lies a widely misunderstood and often mishandled device known as the Trompowsky Attack. Still a relatively young and evolving opening, this really took off in the 1980's and early 90's. This dynamic, attacking system has become a staple in the repertoires of many GM's. Of particular note, England's Julian Hodgson is often credited as the leading innovator of new, fresh Trompowsky ideas

The Trompowsky Attack

Catalog Code: CB0002CD

Our Price: $7.95

Rubinstein Complex of the Nimzo-Indian

The Nimzo-Indian Defense has been the most enduring and popular contribution to the theory of chess openings by iconoclast and trailblazer Aaron Nimzowitsch. The moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 comprise the jumping-off point for the Nimzo-Indian Defense. Akiba Rubinstein, a classicist only four years older than Nimzowistch, formulated the response 4. e3, which starts the Rubinstein Complex. He often intended to continue Nge2, planning to recapture on e3 with the Knight.

Rubinstein Complex of the Nimzo-Indian

Catalog Code: CB0007XX

Our Price: $9.95

Sicilian Defense in the Last Decade

The book consists of 250 novelties culled from the decade spanning 1986-1995 from Sicilian tournament practice. The novelties will help the reader's analytical skill and tournament preparation. The games are vastly entertaining and instructive miniatures. It will be a useful tool for building an opening repertoire and sharpening the readers' tactics. The games were chosen for their sparkling quality and emphasis on tactics as well as their theoretical importance and constitute a manual of typical tactics in the Sicilian. Dr. Minev, an internationally known opening theoretician, also shows the reader how to do the original work necessary to build a successful modern opening repertoire. A must for those who love sharp tactical chess.

Sicilian Defense in the Last Decade

Catalog Code: CB0009XX

Our Price: $9.95

Grand Prix Attack

When faced with the Sicilian Defense, you have to make the choice to either wade through a maze of variations in the main line or diverge early into a relatively lesser known system. The early advance of white's f-pawn fits this objective perfectly. White gains more space in the center and kingside with 2.f4, forming the basis for lasting pressure and often leading to violent attacks against the black kingside. After 1.e4 c5 2.f4, this variation fell out of fashion int he early 90's due to 2..d5. But take heart! Smith and Hall show that this variation still has some venom!

Grand Prix Attack

Catalog Code: CB0026CD

Our Price: $4.95

The Catalan

The Catalan Opening is currently in the repertoire of most all of the world's elite players. It has even been played at the World Championship level many times! This is largely because it combines strategic pressure with possibilities for a very sharp, complicated tactical struggle. This is perfect for those who insist on decisive chess. However, there are also some quieter, more solid lines. The Catalan combines the Queen's Gambit pawn duo(d4 and c4) with the hypermodern fianchettoed KB as with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 or 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3. From g2, the KB strikes through the center squares e4 and d5 and beyond to c6, b7, and a8, applying pressure to Black's Queenside. Another important advantage of the Catalan is that it can be used to side step popular Black defenses such as the Nimzo-Indian and Queen's-Indian. It can also be reached by transpositions from many different move orders. This is very good against strong opposition!

The Catalan

Catalog Code: CB0034CD

Our Price: $4.95

How To Play the Winawer Countergambit

This dynamic gambit 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e5 is played by top players. Both accepted and declined are covered. Dismissed by theory until quite recently, it has enjoyed a considerable renaissance in the 1990's. This book is a survey of the opening, with the largest collection of complete game from players past and present.

How To Play the Winawer Countergambit

Catalog Code: CB0035CD

Our Price: $4.95

Fischer's Weapon: Winning with the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation

This is a revised and expanded 2nd edition of the 1st edition published in 1992. Added are 23 important theoretical revisions and one game.When the first edition of this book appeared in 1992, it evoked a good deal of interest - particularly after a certain day that September. What prompted the interest that day was a curious incident off the coast of what was then Yugoslovia — FISCHER-SPASSKY, Ninth Match Game - Sveti Sefan 1992.

Fischer's Weapon: Winning with the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation

Catalog Code: CB0042CD

Our Price: $9.95

The Evans Gambit Revolution

Grandmaster are beating Grandmasters whether they accept or decline 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4. Kasparov was one that lead the way. The text may force a re-evaluation of most Evans Gambit analysis. The author's improvements were sent by the author to Kasparov's agent in London. This is the first modern treatment of the Evans which reflects to a high degree the overwhelming body of games won by White. This book gives good analysis and advice on a very strong and dynamic weapon to use against 1..e5 players.

The Evans Gambit Revolution

Catalog Code: CB0054CD

Our Price: $7.95

The Fischer Attack in the Najdorf

Catalog Code: CB0057CD

Our Price: $7.95

A Road to the Expert Title

Catalog Code: CB0063CD

Our Price: $7.95

The Sicilian Scheveningen for Black

The world's leading players take the Black side and seem to be unbeatable! With this analysis you can have access to Black's system introduced by Spassky and used prominently by Kasparov and many of the world's elite.

The Sicilian Scheveningen for Black

Catalog Code: CB0081CD

Our Price: $9.95

Queen's Gambit Accepted

Catalog Code: CB0090CD

Our Price: $4.95

The Tchigorin Defense

Catalog Code: CB0091CD

Our Price: $4.95

A Road to the Master Title

Catalog Code: CB0092CD

Our Price: $7.95

Henning Schara Gambit

Catalog Code: CB0098CD

Our Price: $7.95

The Noteboom Variation

Catalog Code: CB0102CD

Our Price: $4.95

Against the Maroczy Bind

Covered are the feared Sicilian and English Opening Maroczy Bind. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4. Then out of the English Opening 1.c4 c5 2.or 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5 3.Nf3 g6 4.e4 Bg7 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4. You can also get into it from the King's Indian Defense. Since you are out of the opening quickly, this book is more about how to play the early middlegame. This is done by complete games divided into variations and annotated by Informant codes. There is a short intro before each variation.

Against the Maroczy Bind

Catalog Code: CB0119CD

Our Price: $9.95

Winning with the Slav

"Why do so many GM's play the Slav? Is it the opening's resilience? Its counterattacking potential? Or the ease with which all Black's pieces can find effective postings? Up-to-date and packed with new ideas. Covers all the main lines of the Slav."

Winning with the Slav

Catalog Code: B0091BT

Our Price: $9.95

Winning with the Hypermodern

Hypermodern chess strategy was the single most devastating innovation of the 20th century chess thought. Fueled by such towering figures as Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Reti, hypermodern ideas forced their way into prominence and blazed the trail for the dynamic adoption by the Soviet chess school of defences such as the King's Indian and the Grunfeld. With both of these championed by Garry Kasparov, arguably the greatest player of all time, it is clear that hypermodern openings and defences are still setting the agenda in the 21st century.

Winning with the Hypermodern

Catalog Code: B0095BT

Our Price: $12.95

The Lisitsin Gambit

The Lisitsin Gambit is a bold, even savage attack against the Dutch. It in no way refutes the Dutch, but it places black on a tight rope, a rope the unwary may easily slip off to their doom on. Further the gambit is much easier to learn than the rest of the lines white may play against the Dutch." - US National Master Stephen Gordon. The Lisitsin Gambit, as well illustrated here, is a very good choice for the attacking player!

The Lisitsin Gambit

Catalog Code: CB0003CD

Our Price: $9.95

A Black Defensive System with 1... d6

Grandmaster Soltis blends this defensive 1..d6 move into a coherent defensive system answering whatever white throws at black. This move frequently transposes into the sharp, attacking, ultra-dynamic King's Indian Defense when played against 1.d4. Against 1.e4, the Pirc(or sometimes also the Modern Defense) arises, bringing a very flexible setup which can vary wild, attacking chess to solid, positional maneuvering. 1..d6 is a flexible way to combat any white first move.

A Black Defensive System with 1... d6

Catalog Code: CB0005CD

Our Price: $9.95

Beating the Alekhine Defense with the Exchange Variation

Catalog Code: CB0006CD

Our Price: $9.95

The Veresov Attack

The Veresov Attack is a vigorous opening system which offers a wealth of interesting strategic and tactical chances for white. It is interesting to note that it sort of resembles a sort of "Queenside Ruy Lopez". This often leads to rapid queenside castling with sharpened play. Alternately, white can simply continue to develop his kingside pieces followed by kingside castling. This "dual castling" motif of the Veresov can keep black guessing as to white's true intentions.

The Veresov Attack

Catalog Code: CB0008CD

Our Price: $4.95

A Winning White Repertoire

The main system is the Torre Attack 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 or 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 followed by Bg5. Then you are taught how to meet the Nimzo-Indian, King's Indian, Pirc/Old Indian, Benoni, and Dutch Defenses. This opening is very solid and easy to learn and the non-professional players will find it very handy. However, it is a very powerful opening and has been employed by such chess superstars as Korchnoi, Kasparov, Timman, Petrosian, Bronstein, Yusupov, Keres, Smyslov, and Spassky! Most importantly, this book consists of more than just variations, but 100 deeply annotated complete games as well.

A Winning White Repertoire

Catalog Code: CB0015CD

Our Price: $6.95

Franco-Benoni Defenses

No matter what White plays, Black plays 1..e6 making believe he is going into a French defense. White is fooled for whatever he does, Black plays toward a Benoni 2..c5.

Franco-Benoni Defenses

Catalog Code: CB0021CD

Our Price: $7.95

Winning with the Benko Gambit

Smith & Hall: "The Benko Gambit is a rare sort of opening: Black offers a pawn on the third move to snatch the initiative from White. The psychological effect is instantaneous. White, who thought he would control the opening with the initial tempo is immediately faced with vexing decisions. 'Do I take the pawn and try to keep it?'(Accepted); 'Do I take it for a little white but offer to return it later?' (Semi-Accepted); 'Or do I avoid the gambit altogether?' (Declined). 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5!. In any event we show that whichever course white adopts, black will obtain fluid counter-play. If white commits inaccuracies(even relatively slight ones), Black can quickly seize the initiative. By first studying our familiarization section the student new to the Benko will be given a good overview of all the main variations in the Benko Gambit. Next we present a thorough and up-to-date survey of all the major variations to show how Black can steer play into dynamic counter-play-oriented positions, which will provide exciting games and good practical winning chances. Bash 'em with the Benko!"

Winning with the Benko Gambit

Catalog Code: CB0023CD

Our Price: $7.95

The Goring Gambit Accepted and Declined

The Goring Gambit is one of White's most dynamic choices after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6. With 3.d4! White immediately challenges Black's "pawn anchor" on e5 while prying open lines for rapid, aggressive development. After 3..exd4 White can, of course, opt for the Scotch Game with 3.Nxd4 - which is quite sound for White - but we recommend that you choose the gambit with 4.c3, daring Black to grab a pawn with 4..dxc3. If Black accepts, white will get a lead in development and many opportunities for a prolonged initiative. There is a line that modern theory favors black, but we show you how to avoid it. If your opponent is too scared to accept the gambit with 4..dxc3, then there are declining moves with 4..Nf6, 4..d5, and 4..d3. Against all these more sedate lines we will show how to keep Black under pressure. A number of top players have adopted the Goring gambit over time; among them are GM's Tal, Stein, Gufeld, Velimirovic, and Ljubojevic. FM Ken Smith, one of the authors, has been playing middle gambits(Danish, Goring, BDG, & Smith-Morra) all his 47-year chess career.

The Goring Gambit Accepted and Declined

Catalog Code: CB0036CD

Our Price: $9.95

Winning Against Flank Openings

Catalog Code: CB0060CD

Our Price: $4.95

Winning with the English Defense

Answers 1.e4 and all other openings. This is a very flexible system that allows White to build up a large center if so inclined. Black's aim is to attack White's center with all his forces, bringing about sharp, hypermodern play on the board.