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.

    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.
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    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.
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    Starting Out - Grunfeld
    Catalog Code: B0274EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Tactics in the Chess Opening - VOLUME 1
    Sicilian Defence
    Every chess player loves to win, but nothing compares to winning with a flourish. How happy we are when the tactics work and we decide a game with a cunning trick, a devilish trap or a delightful coup de grace.
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    Tactics in the Chess Opening - VOLUME 1
    Sicilian Defence
    Catalog Code: B0001TITO

    Regular Price: $21.95

    Special Price: $8.78


    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.
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    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."
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    Two Knights Defence
    Catalog Code: B0057EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Main Line Ruy Lopez
    The Ruy Lopez (also known as the Spanish Game) is an extremely popular opening and one of the oldest in the history of chess. It has been played by virtually all the greats of the game, providing the battle scene for many world championship clashes involving the likes of Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov and Kramnik. Now, for the first time in many years, Grandmaster Glenn Flear investigates the main line of the Lopez, outlining the crucial ideas and tactics for both White and Black.
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    Main Line Ruy Lopez
    Catalog Code: B0122EM

    Regular Price: $24.95

    Special Price: $9.98


    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.
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    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!
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    Scandinavian
    Catalog Code: B0172EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    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.
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    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.
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    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
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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
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    Evan's Gambit and a System vs. 2 Knights
    Catalog Code: CB0096CD
    Our Price: $7.95

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