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 181 to 216 of 702

    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 4
    1. c4 / 1. Nf3 / Other First Moves
    Chess Opening Essentials is an accessible primer and a reference book at the same time. It gives a flavor of how every opening works and explains the similarities with other openings as well as the differences. In addition, it also points at the various middlegame plans that apply after the opening has ended.
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    Chess Opening Essentials - VOLUME 4

    1. c4 / 1. Nf3 / Other First Moves
    Catalog Code: B0089NIC
    Our Price: $28.95

    The Modern Philidor Defence
    he Modern Philidor Defence consists of seven chapters, dealing with different move-orders. Each chapter comprises of a "Quick Repertoire" then a thorough theoretical study in the part "Step by Step"and "Complete Games". In order to include a system in your opening repertoire, it would be sufficient for you to read the review and see the games and this should not take too much of your time. After this, you can start playing this opening in friendly games at your club, or on the Internet.
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    The Modern Philidor Defence

    Catalog Code: B0061EU
    Our Price: $26.95

    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

    Alekhine Alert
    A Repertoire for Black Against 1. e4
    Former US Open Champion Timothy Taylor takes a contemporary look at one of Black's most ambitious counters to 1 e4, the Alekhine Defence. This is a sharp opening in which Black attacks from the very beginning, luring White's central pawns forward in the expectation of destroying them later on.
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    Alekhine Alert

    A Repertoire for Black Against 1. e4
    Catalog Code: B0301EM
    Our Price: $27.95

    EBOOK - Alekhine Alert
    A Repertoire for Black Against 1. e4
    Former US Open Champion Timothy Taylor takes a contemporary look at one of Black's most ambitious counters to 1 e4, the Alekhine Defence. This is a sharp opening in which Black attacks from the very beginning, luring White's central pawns forward in the expectation of destroying them later on.
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    EBOOK - Alekhine Alert

    A Repertoire for Black Against 1. e4
    Catalog Code: E-B0301EM
    Our Price: $19.95

    Starting Out - Open Games
    'Open Games' refer to a myriad of openings arising after the ever-popular 1 e4 e5: the Italian Game, the Scotch, The Two Knights Defence, the King's Gambit, the Evans Gambit, the Bishop's Opening, the Four Knights, the Petroff and much more besides.
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    Starting Out - Open Games

    Catalog Code: B0276EM
    Our Price: $27.95

    EBOOK - Starting Out - Open Games
    'Open Games' refer to a myriad of openings arising after the ever-popular 1 e4 e5: the Italian Game, the Scotch, The Two Knights Defence, the King's Gambit, the Evans Gambit, the Bishop's Opening, the Four Knights, the Petroff and much more besides.
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    EBOOK - Starting Out - Open Games

    Catalog Code: E-B0276EM
    Our Price: $19.95

    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

    Starting Out - The Reti
    The Reti is a popular opening at all levels of chess. The great advantage it possesses over other openings is that it's a thematic system which can be adopted against many different defences, and because of this it's a firm favourite amongst those who prefer the understanding of ideas over dry memorization of moves.
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    Starting Out - The Reti

    Catalog Code: B0295EM
    Our Price: $26.95

    EBOOK - Starting Out - The Reti
    The Reti is a popular opening at all levels of chess. The great advantage it possesses over other openings is that it's a thematic system which can be adopted against many different defences, and because of this it's a firm favourite amongst those who prefer the understanding of ideas over dry memorization of moves.
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    EBOOK - Starting Out - The Reti

    Catalog Code: E-B0295EM
    Our Price: $19.95

    NIC Yearbook 93 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Short Shrift to the Caro-Kann
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. A must-have publication for serious chess students.
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    NIC Yearbook 93 - HARDCOVER EDITION

    Short Shrift to the Caro-Kann
    Catalog Code: B0093HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 93 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Short Shrift to the Caro-Kann
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
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    NIC Yearbook 93 - PAPERBACK EDITION

    Short Shrift to the Caro-Kann
    Catalog Code: B0093PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    Wojo's Weapons - VOLUME 1
    Winning with White
    The late Aleksander Wojtkiewicz, known as "Wojo" to his fans and followers, was one of the most feared players of the White pieces in the U.S. tournament circuit. Using his dynamic, Catalan-based opening repertoire, the "Polish Magician" won hundreds of tournaments from the 1990's until his untimely death in 2006. Now, Wojtkiewicz experts IM Dean Ippolito and NM Jonathan Hilton have joined forces to produce the definitive "how-to" manual for learning Wojo's repertoire with White after 1.Nf3 d5.
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    Wojo's Weapons - VOLUME 1

    Winning with White
    Catalog Code: B0049EU
    Our Price: $29.95

    The Moscow & Anti-Moscow Variations
    An Insider's View
    The positions arising in the Moscow variation and the Anti-Moscow variation are in principle so different that I have decided to arrange the material in the two parts of the book in different fashion too. The part of the book, which deals with the analysis of the plans and possibilities in the much calmer Moscow variation can be compared to a thorough guide of the series "street by street".
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    The Moscow & Anti-Moscow Variations

    An Insider's View
    Catalog Code: B0052EU
    Our Price: $29.95

    Squeezing the Gambits
    The Benko, Budapest, Albin and Blumenfield
    This book aims to teach you how to put Black into a positional squeeze in the most popular gambits against 1.d4. It offers a White repertoire based on understanding and not on memorisation of long variations.

    Georgiev preaches a solid strategic approach which allows to decrease the role of computer assisted home analysis and will serve you for many years.
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    Squeezing the Gambits

    The Benko, Budapest, Albin and Blumenfield
    Catalog Code: B0053EU
    Our Price: $28.95

    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

    Chess Openings for White Explained
    Winning with 1. e4 - 2nd Edition
    Legendary World Champion Bobby Fischer describing the opening move 1. e4. Three-time US Champion Champion Lev Alburt, famous for his ability to turn aspiring players into masters, teams up with two-time U.S. Champion Roman Dzindzichashvili and young international star Eugene Perelshteyn to give you a complete repertoire of opening play-as well as a review of all openings and an explanation of the principles of playing this crucial stage of the game.
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    Chess Openings for White Explained

    Winning with 1. e4 - 2nd Edition
    Catalog Code: B0013LV
    Our Price: $29.95

    Scotch Game for White
    The Scotch Game is a solid positional opening which has been studied and tested in practice by the strongest chess players in the world in a period of more than two centuries. The idea behind the Scotch Game is simple and easily understandable. White eliminates in a purely mechanical fashion Black's e5-pawn which impedes his ambition to dominate in the centre.
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    Scotch Game for White

    Catalog Code: B0046EU
    Our Price: $27.95

    Dangerous Weapons - The Dutch
    Dazzle Your Opponents!
    Perhaps it's time for a change and here's the answer: choose Dangerous Weapons and amaze your opponents with new and exciting opening ideas! In this book, three renowned opening experts get together to take a revolutionary look at the Dutch Defense, one of Black's most ambitious answers to 1. d4. In doing so they take the road less traveled and concentrate on fresh or little-explored variations - selecting a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both colors.
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    Dangerous Weapons - The Dutch

    Dazzle Your Opponents!
    Catalog Code: B0285EM
    Our Price: $26.95

    EBOOK - Dangerous Weapons - The Dutch
    Dazzle Your Opponents!
    Perhaps it's time for a change and here's the answer: choose Dangerous Weapons and amaze your opponents with new and exciting opening ideas! In this book, three renowned opening experts get together to take a revolutionary look at the Dutch Defense, one of Black's most ambitious answers to 1. d4. In doing so they take the road less traveled and concentrate on fresh or little-explored variations - selecting a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both colors.
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    EBOOK - Dangerous Weapons - The Dutch

    Dazzle Your Opponents!
    Catalog Code: E-B0285EM
    Our Price: $19.95

    NIC Yearbook 92 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Poikovsky Winner Alexander Motylev - One Step Beyond in the Anti-Moscow Slav
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
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    NIC Yearbook 92 - HARDCOVER EDITION

    Poikovsky Winner Alexander Motylev - One Step Beyond in the Anti-Moscow Slav
    Catalog Code: B0092HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 92 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Poikovsky Winner Alexander Motylev - One Step Beyond in the Anti-Moscow Slav
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
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    NIC Yearbook 92 - PAPERBACK EDITION

    Poikovsky Winner Alexander Motylev - One Step Beyond in the Anti-Moscow Slav
    Catalog Code: B0092PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

    Dismantling the Sicilian
    A Complete Repertoire for White
    The Sicilian Defence is the most widely played chess opening, both at club level and among top grandmasters. Since Black gets dynamic play in almost all variations, black players of all levels will probably continue to play the Sicilian for a long time to come.
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    Dismantling the Sicilian

    A Complete Repertoire for White
    Catalog Code: B0073NIC
    Our Price: $26.95

    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

    Play The Ponziani
    The Ponziani Opening enjoys a long history, but for some unknown reason it has been neglected in recent times. Don't be fooled by its apparently harmless reputation: the Ponziani is full of tricks and catches many unsuspecting opponents by surprise. It's also a perfect weapon for those who don't fancy learning the masses of theory associated with more high-profile openings like the Ruy Lopez.
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    Play The Ponziani

    Catalog Code: B0292EM
    Our Price: $27.95

    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

    Flank Openings
    Traditional chess openings emphasize control of the center. Flank Openings are opening systems first developed by such players as Reti and Nimzowitsch in which the player of the white pieces concedes control of the center to Black, but then seeks to undermine the center and cause it to collapse with attacks from the sides. Grandmaster Raymond Keene explains the concepts and ideas behind these chess opening systems.
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    Flank Openings

    Catalog Code: B0078IS
    Our Price: $25.95

    Pirc Alert - 2ND EDITION
    A Complete Repertoire Against 1. e4
    Does a fine job at being thematic while offering enough analysis to satisfy anyone - Andy Soltis, Chess Grandmaster and legendary Chess Author. Win more games and enjoy chess more as you play and understand it better! Packed with surprise-weapons, Pirc Alert! gives you everything you need to know to defend against White's most popular way of starting the game. Alburt and Chernin explain both the winning ideas as well as the moves of the Pirc Defense, a dynamic system used by the world's chess elite.
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    Pirc Alert - 2ND EDITION

    A Complete Repertoire Against 1. e4
    Catalog Code: B0016LV
    Our Price: $34.95

    The Complete Hedgehog - VOLUME 1
    The Hedgehog is a thoroughly modern defense where flexibility and understanding trump rote memorization. Using deeply annotated critical games from international practice, GM Sergey Shipov traces the Hedgehog's development - from its origins as a way to avoid well-trodden paths to its current status as a respected weapon in Black's armory.
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    The Complete Hedgehog - VOLUME 1

    Catalog Code: B0042EU
    Our Price: $29.95

    Ruy Lopez Revisited
    Offbeat Weapons & Unexplored Resources
    The Ruy Lopez (or Spanish Opening) is one of the oldest and most important chess openings, popular with amateurs as well as professional players. Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov presents bold, but very playable, off-beat weapons for Black, as well as dynamic new ideas and refutations in many main-line variations, for both Black and White. An accessible and inspirational book book by world-famous Ivan Sokolov who, in his rich career, has beaten world champions Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand. Much useful material for aspiring club players, said British Chess Magazine about Sokolov's previous book - 'Winning 132,'.
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    Ruy Lopez Revisited

    Offbeat Weapons & Unexplored Resources
    Catalog Code: B0084NIC
    Our Price: $27.95

    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 11
    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.
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    Secrets of Opening Surprises - VOLUME 11

    No Time to Study Opening Theory? Shock Your Opponent with an SOS!
    Catalog Code: B0011SOS
    Our Price: $21.95

    Starting Out - The Scandinavian
    In recent years the Scandinavian has been catapulted into the limelight, and it has now firmly established itself as an opening to be reckoned with. Why has it become popular? Because it's easy to play!
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    Starting Out - The Scandinavian

    Catalog Code: B0283EM
    Our Price: $25.95

    EBOOK - Starting Out - The Scandinavian
    In recent years the Scandinavian has been catapulted into the limelight, and it has now firmly established itself as an opening to be reckoned with. Why has it become popular? Because it's easy to play!
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    EBOOK - Starting Out - The Scandinavian

    Catalog Code: E-B0283EM
    Our Price: $19.95

    NIC Yearbook 91 - HARDCOVER EDITION
    Fabio Caruana Keeps Black Searching in the Marshall
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
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    NIC Yearbook 91 - HARDCOVER EDITION

    Fabio Caruana Keeps Black Searching in the Marshall
    Catalog Code: B0091HYB
    Our Price: $38.95

    NIC Yearbook 91 - PAPERBACK EDITION
    Fabio Caruana Keeps Black Searching in the Marshall
    New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings, and each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashion, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons.
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    NIC Yearbook 91 - PAPERBACK EDITION

    Fabio Caruana Keeps Black Searching in the Marshall
    Catalog Code: B0091PYB
    Our Price: $29.95

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