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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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Play the King's Indian
A Complete Repertoire for Black in the Most Dynamic of Openings

The King's Indian has always been one of the sharpest, most complex and popular openings that Black can play; it still provides the setting for many encounters at the elite level of Grandmaster chess. Straight from the start, Black fights for the initiative and in many variations, while White pursues material gains, it is Black who has the psychological advantage of trying checkmate the opponent's king.

Play the King's Indian

A Complete Repertoire for Black in the Most Dynamic of Openings

Catalog Code: B0290EM

Our Price: $24.95

Starting Out - Grunfeld

The Grunfeld is an energetic and popular defense to queen's pawn openings and is a favorite of the world number one Garry Kasparov. From the start of the game Black allows White to build an apparently strong centre but then attacks it with all his forces. Play can become extremely sharp and theoretical and this opening very much appeals to dynamic players.

Starting Out - Grunfeld

Catalog Code: B0274EM

Our Price: $24.95

Encyclopedia of Chess Openings - BOOK B

The fourth thoroughly revised and updated edition of the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, Volume B, brings an additional 104 pages of brand new material.

Encyclopedia of Chess Openings - BOOK B

Catalog Code: B0002ECO

Our Price: $39.95

Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 2
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."

Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 2

No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!

Catalog Code: B0002SOS

Our Price: $21.95

Encyclopedia of Chess Openings - BOOK D

The fourth thoroughly revised and updated edition of the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, Volume D, brings an additional 56 pages of brand new material on 1. d4 d5 & 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 followed by 3...d5: Queen's Gambit (Slav, QG Accepted, Orthodox, Tarrasch, Tartakower, etc.), Gruenfeld, Queen's Pawn, etc.

Encyclopedia of Chess Openings - BOOK D

Catalog Code: B0004ECO

Our Price: $39.95

Starting Out - Queen's Indian

The Queen's Indian is one of Blacks most dependable and respected defences to the queen's pawn opening. Is an established favourite amongst world-class grandmasters such as Vladimir Kramnik, Vishy Anand, Michael Adams and Judit Polgar, not to mention Anatoly Karpov, who has been a loyal Queen's Indian supporter and theory developer for over three decades.

Starting Out - Queen's Indian

Catalog Code: B0011EM

Our Price: $24.95

Opening For White According to Anand 1. e4 - VOLUME III

The third volume of the popular series "Opening for White according to Anand -1.e4" deals with the Caro Kann Defence. It has the reputation as the opening of the chess-academics. Capablanca, Botvinnik, Petrosian and Karpov - this list of great chess-champions that have been life-long devotees of the Caro-Kann Defence can be easily extended.

Opening For White According to Anand 1. e4 - VOLUME III

Catalog Code: B0022EU

Our Price: $28.95

Controversial Samisch King's Indian

The Samisch variation is commonly recognized as being the sharpest way of meeting the popular King's Indian Defence, although in its modern use by White, one is just as likely to see positional queenside play as any deadly assault on the black king. In this innovative opening book, Grandmaster Chris War takes a look at its transformation over time.

Controversial Samisch King's Indian

Catalog Code: B0041BT

Our Price: $9.95

Two Knights Defence

In this book, openings theoretician Jan Pinski guides the reader through both the well-trodden paths of the main lines plus the less fashionable side variations of this most complex opening. Using illustrative games, Pinski studies the key ideas and tactics for both Black and White.

Two Knights Defence

Catalog Code: B0057EM

Our Price: $24.95

Offbeat King's Indian
Lesser Known Tries to Counter this Most Popular of Defences

The King's Indian is one of the most exciting and complex defences that black can employ against the queen's pawn opening. The main lines of the King's Indian are very sharp and tactical but they are also incredibly theoretical in nature it can be a full time job simply keeping up with the latest developments and fashion. So it is not surprising that many playing white choose to look elsewhere for something to counter this popular opening. In Offbeat King's Indian distinguished openings expert Krzysztof Panczyk studies unusual and less theoretical systems for white, ones that are tricky and are likely to throw the King's Indian player off his or her stride early on in the game. Variations investigated include lines with an early Bd3, ones with Nge2,l and ones involving a swift Bg5. By studying this new book, white players can arm themselves with a while new weaponry of lines against the King's Indian, while those playing Black can look closely for the recommended antidotes.

Offbeat King's Indian

Lesser Known Tries to Counter this Most Popular of Defences

Catalog Code: B0167EM

Regular Price: $19.95

Special Price: $7.98

Scandinavian

From a theoretical backwater to a fully blown main line opening, the rise of the Scandinavian Defence (1. e4 d5) has been nothing short of meteoric. Over the past fifteen years the Scandinavian has become more and more popular both at club and Grandmaster level. It even managed to obtain an ultimate seal of approval when Vishy Anand employed it in his World Championship match with Garry Kasparov!

Scandinavian

Catalog Code: B0172EM

Our Price: $24.95

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.