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 52

    Opening for White According to Kramnik 1.Nf3 - VOLUME 3
    In the first part of this volume, we have analyzed positions of the four knights system (1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3). It is worth mentioning that starting from the moment our first volume came out of print, the focus of attention in this system has changed radically. The discussion earlier, particularly at a higher level, was centered on the moves 4...d5 and 4...e6, but later 4...g6 began to be played by Black much more often.
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    Opening for White According to Kramnik 1.Nf3 - VOLUME 3
    Catalog Code: B0071EU
    Our Price: $29.95

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

    The Modern Morra Gambit
    A Dynamic Weapon Against the Sicilian
    In this completely revised second edition, the author probes the secrets of this gambit with tactical acuity and strategic objectivity. He concludes that "Most of Black's defensive systems objectively offer acceptable prospects in a complicated battle. Nevertheless, I can promise that every talented attacking player who studies the Morra Gambit will achieve excellent practical results. The positions that arise are extremely difficult to play, especially if the defender is not familiar with them.
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    The Modern Morra Gambit
    A Dynamic Weapon Against the Sicilian
    Catalog Code: B0054RE
    Our Price: $24.95

    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

    How to Play the From Gambit
    Henry Bird's 1.f4 has become the choice of many players who wish to avoid the voluminous theory surrounding 1.e4, 1.d4 and even 1.c4. If Black plays passively then he is likely to find himself in an inferior line, especially if he allows a reversed Dutch defense. But there is an exciting alternative to the main lines - the From Gambit! With l...e5 Black makes it clear that he is willing to fight. The lines which arise often involve forced piece sacrifices for both sides, and knowledge of the middlegame ideas is critical.
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    How to Play the From Gambit
    Catalog Code: B0107IS
    Our Price: $14.95

    Beating Unusual Chess Defences - 1.e4
    Dealing with the Scandinavian, Pirc, Modern, Alekhine and other Tricky Lines
    Anyone who plays 1 e4 as White must be prepared not only for Black’s main defences but also an assortment of less popular lines. These, when taken together, represent a significant percentage of the replies you can expect to meet when opening 1 e4.
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    Beating Unusual Chess Defences - 1.e4
    Dealing with the Scandinavian, Pirc, Modern, Alekhine and other Tricky Lines
    Catalog Code: B0337EM
    Our Price: $27.95

    The Frankenstein-Dracula Variation in the Vienna Game of Chess
    The Frankenstein–Dracula Variation (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4!?) of the Vienna Game is a monstrous thicket of complications which still have not been fully explored. The opening leads to fascinating positions which will bring enjoyment both in tournament and correspondence play. Although some theorists have treated the variation as dead and buried, experiments have managed to bring the monster variation back to life for Black, and it can now be considered fully playable.
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    The Frankenstein-Dracula Variation in the Vienna Game of Chess
    Catalog Code: B0099IS
    Our Price: $14.95

    Tarrasch French Guimard Variation with 3...Nc6
    The popularity of the French Defense has surged to the point where it rivals the Sicilian and the Spanish in the chess international tournament arenas. Always known for its solid character, the French offers Black excellent winning chances in the main lines of the Winawer and in many side variations.
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    Tarrasch French Guimard Variation with 3...Nc6
    Catalog Code: B0100IS
    Our Price: $14.95

    No Passion For Chess Fashion
    Fierce Openings For Your New Repertoire
    Professional grandmasters study the latest wrinkles of their favorite openings. They have time to think about innovations in the Sicilian Najdorf, the Marshall Attack, or the Semi-Slav. It's part of their job. But club players can rarely afford such luxury, and an excellent way for them to beat their busy schedules is to play good, solid opening lines that happen to be out of style.
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    No Passion For Chess Fashion
    Fierce Openings For Your New Repertoire
    Catalog Code: B0072EU
    Our Price: $24.95

    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

    Play the Benko Gambit
    The Benko Gambit is undoubtedly one of Black's most dynamic openings. In return for his pawn investment Black gains long-term pressure, which is often so powerful it continues right through into the endgame. White must decide whether to grab the pawn and try to hold on, or to choose a more aggressive approach. Either way, Black generally succeeds in his aim of unbalancing the position from a very early stage.
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    Play the Benko Gambit
    Catalog Code: B0333EM
    Our Price: $26.95

    The Ruy Lopez - Move by Move
    This is a new series which provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practicing of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn.
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    The Ruy Lopez - Move by Move
    Catalog Code: B0334EM
    Our Price: $27.95

    Mastering the Sicilian Defense
    Quite simply put –the Sicilian Defense is the most popular and most complex of opening systems in chess. It has been the favorite of top players throughout modern times. There are a number of systems and variations to choose from such as the Scheveningen, Dragon, Najdorf, Boleslavsky, Kan, etc. There are also a number of sharp, complex, theoretical systems and that is why it is aptly named “The Sicilian Jungle.
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    Mastering the Sicilian Defense
    Catalog Code: B0056OB
    Our Price: $16.95

    Crushing White - The DZINDZI INDIAN! - VOLUME 2
    An Easy to Learn Chess Opening & Strategy
    Crushing White: The DZINDZI INDIAN! Volume II is the second of a Black comprehensive repertoire two volume set by International Grandmaster Ron W. Henley. This instructional book was created to reveal the secrets of the DZINDZI INDIAN, where according to CHESSBASE 2010 MEGA Database of 4.5 million games, Black has won an astonishing 57% of all games played.
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    Crushing White - The DZINDZI INDIAN! - VOLUME 2
    An Easy to Learn Chess Opening & Strategy
    Catalog Code: B0058OB
    Our Price: $24.95

    The Ryder Gambit Accepted - UPDATED EDITION
    The Ryder Gambit is a fun opening, one which gives rise to spectacular combinational possibilities. Even a player with limited experience can create a magnificent mating attack which can be shown to friends and kibbitzers and even published in local chess magazines. The fans of this opening are true lovers of this royal game and even if their enthusiasm is unjustified by objective analysis, it is nevertheless one of the joys of chess.
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    The Ryder Gambit Accepted - UPDATED EDITION
    Catalog Code: B0085IS
    Our Price: $12.95

    Attack with the Boden-Kieseritzky-Morphy Gambit
    The Boden-Kieseritzky-Morphy Gambit is lightly regarded and is never played by grandmasters, but it has one of the best records for White of any opening played below the master level. It scores a phenomenal 62% in all games in the chess databases. This book examines an opening which can be quite useful for beginners and amateur chess players. The gambit we will examine (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.Nf3!? or 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4!?) has been used by Paul Morphy among other strong players. In my view it is as good a gambit as most others.
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    Attack with the Boden-Kieseritzky-Morphy Gambit
    Catalog Code: B0091IS
    Our Price: $15.95

    Declining the Queen's Gambit
    This book provides a repertoire for Black with the ever-popular "Queen's Gambit Declined". Opening expert John Cox covers not one but two key options for Black. The Tartakower Variation is a sophisticated defence used successfully by world champions such as Kasparov, Karpov and Kramnik.
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    Declining the Queen's Gambit
    Catalog Code: B0330EM
    Our Price: $26.95

    The Slav - Move by Move
    This is a new series which provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, Move by Move greatly encourages the learning and practicing of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved, and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge.
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    The Slav - Move by Move
    Catalog Code: B0331EM
    Our Price: $29.95

    The New Old Indian
    A Repertoire for Black against 1 d4
    The Old Indian Defence is considered to be a sound way for Black to meet 1 d4. Some might argue that it is steady rather than spectacular, but is this reputation totally deserved? Grandmaster Alexander Cherniaev strongly disagrees, and in this book he introduces ambitious and aggressive ways for Black to play in the main lines. He constructs an improved version of a repertoire he has himself utilized with great success against grandmaster opposition. Using illustrative games, he studies the fundamental tactical and positional ideas for both sides, and also covers what to do if White avoids the Old Indian.
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    The New Old Indian
    A Repertoire for Black against 1 d4
    Catalog Code: B0332EM
    Our Price: $26.95

    Fighting the French
    A New Concept
    Nowadays the French Defence 1...e6 is one of the most popular openings in response to 1.e4. I'd like to suggest a new concept of combating it. White plays 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 and then deploys his pieces according to the scheme Ngf3, Bd3, c3, 0-0, against almost anything that Black may play. This will usually lead to exchanges in the centre and the appearance of an isolated queen's pawn for White.
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    Fighting the French
    A New Concept
    Catalog Code: B0074EU
    Our Price: $31.95

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

    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

    Attacking Chess - The French
    A Dynamic Repertoire For Black
    This will prove ideal for players who like to seize the initiative and cause problems for their opponents from the outset. Williams' recommendations in the French are based on his own repertoire which he has successfully employed at Grandmaster level.
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    Attacking Chess - The French
    A Dynamic Repertoire For Black
    Catalog Code: B0325EM
    Our Price: $27.95

    The Sicilian Dragon
    The Classic How-to-Win Guide on One of the Most Exciting and Powerful Chess Openings Played Today
    Play the Exciting Dragon! Inside this book are the secrets of one of the most exciting and powerful openings in all of chess - the Sicilian Dragon! Used by amateurs and champons alike, the dragon features brilliant combinations, no-holds-barred assasults, wild sacrifices, and uncompromising positions. This new edition features bigger diagrams, the latest moves and developements, and 30 new game examples.
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    The Sicilian Dragon
    The Classic How-to-Win Guide on One of the Most Exciting and Powerful Chess Openings Played Today
    Catalog Code: B0052CZ
    Our Price: $14.95

    Spanish Gambits - UPDATED
    Updated in 2011 with New, Improved Lines of Play
    The Spanish Chess Opening, also known as the Ruy Lopez, named a Spanish clergyman who made it popular, is one of the oldest and most heavily analyzed of openings, with many variations having been analyzed up to move 20. Yet, there are still new things being discovered about it. This book covers early attempts by either side to wrest the initiative from the other by means of an early pawn sacrifice.
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    Spanish Gambits - UPDATED
    Updated in 2011 with New, Improved Lines of Play
    Catalog Code: B0084IS
    Our Price: $15.95

    How To Beat The Sicilian Defence
    An Anti-Sicilian Repertoire for White
    The Sicilian Defence is by far the most popular chess opening. If you play 1 e4 as White, on average you are likely to meet the Sicilian in virtually every other game! You need to be prepared to face the Sicilian at all times, and a ready-to-use repertoire against it is an indispensable weapon. In this book, Gawain Jones confronts the challenge of meeting the Sicilian head on. He has constructed a comprehensive Anti-Sicilian repertoire for White, which is based on lines that are successfully employed at grandmaster level.
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    How To Beat The Sicilian Defence
    An Anti-Sicilian Repertoire for White
    Catalog Code: B0327EM
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Complete Hedgehog - VOLUME 2
    The Hedgehog lives! GM Sergey Shipov concludes his monumental investigation of this counterattacking system for Black with in-depth coverage of formations arising from 1.e4 and 1.d4. Sparing no effort to discover best play for both sides, he presents White's most promising plans and breathes new life into variations that - according to theory - had turned the Hedgehog into an endangered species.
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    The Complete Hedgehog - VOLUME 2
    Catalog Code: B0068EU
    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


    Crushing White - The DZINDZI INDIAN! - VOLUME 1
    An Easy to Learn Chess Opening & Strategy
    Crushing White: The DZINDZI INDIAN! is the first of a Black comprehensive repertoire two volume set by International Grandmaster Ron W. Henley. This instructional book was created to reveal the secrets of the DZINDZI INDIAN, where according to CHESSBASE 2010 MEGA Database of 4.5 million games, Black scored 67% in the 919 games played! Thematic tactics and strategy are explained with the use of 676 diagrams.
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    Crushing White - The DZINDZI INDIAN! - VOLUME 1
    An Easy to Learn Chess Opening & Strategy
    Catalog Code: B0057OB
    Our Price: $24.95

    The Safest Grunfeld
    The Safest Gruenfeld offers a complete repertoire for Black against 1.d4 and various Anti-Gruenfeld systems as 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3, 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.b4, 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3. The book follows Chess Stars trademark structure with 3 chapters in every part. "Main Ideas" aim to give you a succinct review of the theory and the basic knowledge that should you allow to start playing the opening without much study. They also give examples of middlegame plans and typical tactical motifs, to complement the "Step by Step" and "Complete Games" chapters.
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    The Safest Grunfeld
    Catalog Code: B0069EU
    Our Price: $31.95

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