Gift Ideas
Gift Cards
New Arrivals
My Cart
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.
Sveshnikov Sicilian
The Sveshnikov variation of the Sicilian Defense leads to dynamic positions with free piece play and provides enterprising players with the type of active game on which they can thrive. It became fashionable in the 1970s under the influence of Evgeny Sveshnikov and other grandmasters from Chelyabinsk, and has remained at the cutting edge of opening theory ever since. In recent years it has been a favorite of the exciting young stars Vladimir Kramnik and Alexei Shirov, and of the author himself, all of whom have introduced important new ideas.
Sveshnikov Sicilian
Catalog Code: B0209EM
Regular Price: $19.95
Special Price: $7.98
New Ideas in the Sveshnikov Sicilian
The Sicilian Defence features many dramatic variations, but for sheer violence, few can equal the Sveshnikov. Black aims for maximum piece activity at the cost of a shattered pawn structure. Black's aim is to seize the initiative, regardless of the cost. If he is successful, then the pawns will look after themselves. On the other hand, white is looking to use black's weaknesses as spring-boards for a ferocious attack of his own.
New Ideas in the Sveshnikov Sicilian
Catalog Code: B0045BT
Regular Price: $9.95
Special Price: $3.98
Beating the Anti-King's Indian
This book provides a complete repertoire for King's Indian players against all of white's attempts to avoid the main lines. How to defuse attacking systems such as the Four Pawns. Aggressive lines against Exchange Variations. Recommended psychology against unambitious opponents
Beating the Anti-King's Indian
Catalog Code: B0050BT
Our Price: $9.95
The Fianchetto King's Indian
This is White's fianchetto against the King's Indian Defense 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3. An ideal choice for those who want to deny King's Indian players their usual attacking plans. White's harmonious scheme of development, envisaging strong pressure against Black's queenside, has appealed to many of the all-time greats - Alekhine, Botvinnik, Karpov, and Kasparov.
The Fianchetto King's Indian
Catalog Code: B0063BT
Our Price: $9.95
Understanding the Spanish
Understanding an opening is more important the knowing a mass of variations. For no opening is this more true than for the Spanish. The most famous of chess openings leads to a deep strategic maneuvering battle. Experienced GM's seem almost clairvoyant when handling the positions. It is not a sixth sense, but a knowledge of the typical maneuvers and themes that enable them to have their pieces where they need them, when they need them. This book provides a complete course in helping the reader to understand those themes.
Understanding the Spanish
Catalog Code: B0070BT
Our Price: $9.95
An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player
The average club or tournament player has little time for an exhaustive study of opening theory, but does need to obtain a satisfactory middle-game position. This work is intended to provide all he needs to know to reach interesting and sharp positions which offer good prospects for the imaginative player. The authors give one line against each popular variation, with particular care being taken to choose systems which will suit the attacking player's style.
An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player
Catalog Code: B0113BT
Our Price: $12.95
An Opening Repertoire For the Attacking Player
One of the hardest tasks competitive chess players face is the development of an opening repertoire suited to their own style of play. In this book, Grandmaster Gufeld makes the job easier by providing an ideal framework for a practical opening repertoire, specifically tailored for those who relish attacking play.
An Opening Repertoire For the Attacking Player
Catalog Code: B0265EM
Our Price: $17.95
Inside Chess Opening Novelties: KID Bayonet Attack
White attacks the Queenside with 9.b4 in the Classical Variation of the King's Indian Defense 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7. The Introduction explains what is happening, then each of ten chapters has a short comment on theory. There is a total of 200 games with the main ones having notes.
Inside Chess Opening Novelties: KID Bayonet Attack
Catalog Code: CB0003XX
Our Price: $9.95
Chess Openings Lexicon
If you're looking for an easy-to-use guide for identifying, classifying and describing all of the Chess openings and their variations, look no further than this book!!
When it comes to the chess openings, most chess players are completely confused by the endless number of openings and their variations.
When it comes to the chess openings, most chess players are completely confused by the endless number of openings and their variations.
Chess Openings Lexicon
Catalog Code: CB0017CD
Our Price: $6.95
The Anti-Meran Botvinnik
Recent analysis and forgotten ideas on this Slav Defense variation where White plays 5.Bg5 and a later sac 9.Nxg5. Any 1.d4 player who hopes to fight for an advantage against the otherwise solid Semi-Slav must be prepared from both sides of the board.
The Anti-Meran Botvinnik
Catalog Code: CB0017XX
Our Price: $9.95
The Fighting Fajarowicz
The Budapest, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5, is really a counterattack rather than a defense. It appeals to players who like to challenge White for the initiative early in the game. This particularly applies to the Fajarowicz Variation, 3.dxe4 Ne4, in which(by contrast with the 3..Ng4 main line of the Budapest) Black puts more emphasis on fighting for key squares than on seeking the early recapture of the pawn he has given up. This book contains 3 different sections: 1)Ideas for black to aim for and areas to avoid; 2)A 12 chapter Analysis section(including one with explanation on what to do if white avoids the Fajarowicz on move 3; and 3)A Complete Games section with well over 300 games ranging from unannotated to lightly annotated for you to study.
The Fighting Fajarowicz
Catalog Code: CB0019CD
Our Price: $7.95
The Dynamic Philidor Counter-Gambit
Black defends his King's pawn before proceding with similar play as in the Greco Counter-Gambit. Suddenly White does not have positional play against a Philidor Defense, but is thrown into tactical complications of this gambit. You, as Black, will know what to do while your opponent eats time on his clock trying, repeat trying, to find his way. Black is playing to win.
The Dynamic Philidor Counter-Gambit
Catalog Code: CB0068CD
Our Price: $5.95
Winning with the Giuoco Piano and the Max Lange Attack
here are 30 important theoretical revisions in this 2nd edition. Nine chapters cover 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4. Learn both a positional and a dynamic attacking weapon to shatter your opponents' King's pawn defenses.
Winning with the Giuoco Piano and the Max Lange Attack
Catalog Code: CB0070CD
Our Price: $9.95
How to Play the Torre Attack - Second, Thoroughly Revised Edition
White plays 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 followed by Bg5. The Torre Attack is a very flexible opening employed by white which involves quick development and fight for control of the e4 square. A standard setup would involve placing the queen's knight on d2, light-squared bishop to d3, king's rook to e1 after a quick castling, and pawn to e3 or e4. However, there is a flexibility that allows for many different setups, depending on the strategic path that the white player wishes to employ and black's setup. This flexible, dynamic system has been employed by virtually every top GM at some point in their career, even at the World Championship match level. Schiller shows why this opening system should be part of every player's repertoire.
How to Play the Torre Attack - Second, Thoroughly Revised Edition
Catalog Code: CB0075CD
Our Price: $4.95
Evan's Gambit and a System vs. 2 Knights
Evan's Gambit and a System vs. 2 Knights
Evan's Gambit and a System vs. 2 Knights
Catalog Code: CB0096CD
Our Price: $7.95
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
The Fischer Attack in the Najdorf
The Fischer Attack in the Najdorf
Catalog Code: CB0057CD
Our Price: $7.95
A Road to the Expert Title
A Road to the Expert Title
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
Queen's Gambit Accepted
Queen's Gambit Accepted
Catalog Code: CB0090CD
Our Price: $4.95
The Tchigorin Defense
The Tchigorin Defense
The Tchigorin Defense
Catalog Code: CB0091CD
Our Price: $4.95
A Road to the Master Title
A Road to the Master Title
A Road to the Master Title
Catalog Code: CB0092CD
Our Price: $7.95
Henning Schara Gambit
Henning Schara Gambit
Henning Schara Gambit
Catalog Code: CB0098CD
Our Price: $7.95
The Noteboom Variation
The Noteboom Variation
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
Application of Chess Theory
Yefim Geller has been one of the world's foremost grandmasters over the past four decades, during which time he has established a reputation as being the leading Russian authority on opening theory. In this annotated collection of his own games, Geller shows the practical benefits of a sound understanding of opening strategy. Written by a former world title candidate, this book places emphasis on opening plans rather than theoretical variations, and includes more than 30 wins against world champions from Euwe to Karpov.
Application of Chess Theory
Catalog Code: B0114EM
Our Price: $23.95
