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 4. f3 Nimzo-Indian
    The Most Aggressive Response to the Nimzo Explained by One of it's Leading Exponents
    The Nimzo-Indian is an extremely popular and reliable defence, upon which most world champions have relied at some point in their careers. Black controls the vital e4-square with his pieces, and retains total flexibility with his central pawns. By playing 4. f3, White challenges Black's idea head-on. Either Black grants White control of e4, or else he must commit his pawn to d5, whereupon White can begin concrete action in the center.
    img

    Play the 4. f3 Nimzo-Indian
    The Most Aggressive Response to the Nimzo Explained by One of it's Leading Exponents
    Catalog Code: B0035GB
    Our Price: $14.95

    Counter-Gambits
    Black to Play and Win

    Publisher: Dover
    Author: T. D. Harding
    Year of Publication: 2001 Pages: 208
    Notation Type: Algebraic (AN)


    Book Description As noted British chess author T. D. Harding explains in the preface to Counter Gambits: Black to Play and Win, the aim of this book is to show you how to win games with Black. The method? Calculated aggression, right from move one! To offset the distinct advantage White is thought to have because it moves first, Black can engage in dynamic counterplay to avoid those openings that give White the opportunity of early exchanges. Following a brief explanation of symbols, this excellent guide covers such topics as dynamic counterplay, counter-gambits in open games, Black sacrifices in the half-open games, counters to the Queen's Gambit, Indian counter-gambits, and an index to openings and variations. Seventy-seven games, including ten new to this edition, are fully annotated, while more are found in the theoretical notes, with commentary. Among the counter-gambits used in the quest for dynamic counterplay are the Budapest, Blumenfeld, Falkbeer, and Latvian — all illustrated in great detail. A new update "Update 2001," written especially for this edition, examines developments in the field since this book was first published in the 1970s. Players at all skill levels — beginner to advanced — are sure to benefit from this expert analysis of gambits and counter-gambits.
    img

    Counter-Gambits
    Black to Play and Win
    Catalog Code: B0047DV
    Our Price: $8.95

    The French - Tarrasch Variation
    Comprehensive Coverage of an Important Modern Chess Opening
    This book continues the coverage of the French Defence that was begun by Pedersen in The Main Line French: 3 Nc3. It is essential reading for all those who play the French, and for those who meet it with the popular and flexible Tarrasch Variation.
    img

    The French - Tarrasch Variation
    Comprehensive Coverage of an Important Modern Chess Opening
    Catalog Code: B0028GB
    Our Price: $14.95

    The Sicilian Sozin
    A Life-Long Sozin Devotee Explains the Subtleties of this Aggressive System for White
    This book presents in detail the theory of the Sozin in all its forms, including the razor-sharp Velimirovic Attack.
    img

    The Sicilian Sozin
    A Life-Long Sozin Devotee Explains the Subtleties of this Aggressive System for White
    Catalog Code: B0042GB
    Our Price: $14.95

    The Symmetrical English
    Authoritative Coverage of a Massive Opening Complex, Including the Hedgehog and Anti-Benoni
    The Symmetrical systems of the English Opening constitute a large and important area of modern chess opening theory. The strategic variety to be found within this book is staggering: from the sedate Symmetrical Variation to the wild gambit lines of the Anti-Benoni, and almost everything in between! This book provides detailed coverage of the theory of all lines stemming from 1 c4 c5.
    img

    The Symmetrical English
    Authoritative Coverage of a Massive Opening Complex, Including the Hedgehog and Anti-Benoni
    Catalog Code: B0045GB
    Our Price: $22.95

    Attacking with 1. e4
    Fed up with having to learn so much theory? Struggling to keep up with all the latest developments? Then this book will be the answer to all your problems. Grandmaster John Emms offers a new arsenal of opening weapons with which to attack your unsuspecting opponents. Starting with the move 1 e4, the reader is armed with systems against all possible black defenses.
    img

    Attacking with 1. e4
    Catalog Code: B0061EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    The Queen's Gambit and Catalan for Black
    A Grandmaster Explains a Solid and Dependable Repertoire
    Every chess-player needs a reliable defence against the Queen's Pawn Opening. The fundamental question is whether to go all-out for counterplay, which may involve a great deal of risk, or to adopt a more solid, classical approach, and first carefully neutralize White's initiative. This book shows the potential of the latter approach. By defending the Queen's Gambit Declined, Black puts a firm road-block in the way of White's ambitions.
    img

    The Queen's Gambit and Catalan for Black
    A Grandmaster Explains a Solid and Dependable Repertoire
    Catalog Code: B0068GB

    Regular Price: $21.95

    Special Price: $8.78


    French Classical
    The French Classical (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6) leads to the type of dynamic, unbalanced positions which appeal to grandmaster and club player alike. Black is prepared to concede space in the center with a view to striking back at his opponent at the earliest opportunity.
    img

    French Classical
    Catalog Code: B0086EM
    Our Price: $19.95

    The Petroff
    A Detailed Account of the Solid Opening Favoured by Vladimir Kramnik and Other Super-Grandmasters
    The Petroff has for a long time been regarded as a very solid defence. Black avoids the perils of the Scotch, the Italian Game and above all the dreaded Ruy Lopez, and instead opts to neutralize White's initiative with active piece-play. In the Petroff, it is quite common for Black to launch an early counterattack, often gambiting a pawn to do so. For many years, the Petroff enjoyed a steady following, with Karpov, Ivanchuk, Timman, Anand and in particular Yusupov among its supporters at the top level.
    img

    The Petroff
    A Detailed Account of the Solid Opening Favoured by Vladimir Kramnik and Other Super-Grandmasters
    Catalog Code: B0089GB
    Our Price: $21.95

    Offbeat Spanish
    Meeting the Spanish without 3... A6
    Glenn Flear studies a wide variety of ambitious and offbeat answers for those playing against the Spanish. From the super solid Berlin (as used so successfully by Vladimir Kramnik in his world championship match against Garry Kasparov) to the uncompromising Schliemann, there's enough choice here for any prospective black player facing the Spanish. On the other hand, this book is also perfect for white players looking for the best way to deal with those avoiding the main lines.
    img

    Offbeat Spanish
    Meeting the Spanish without 3... A6
    Catalog Code: B0179EM

    Regular Price: $19.95

    Special Price: $7.98


    Classical Nimzo-Indian
    The Ever-Popular 4. Qc2
    The 4 Qc2 (or the Classical Variation, as it's commonly known) represents one of White's main choices against the ever-reliable Nimzo-Indian Defence. Ideas and strategies for both white and black players are explained. All the major variations are covered and Lalic updates the theory of these ever-developing lines.
    img

    Classical Nimzo-Indian
    The Ever-Popular 4. Qc2
    Catalog Code: B0201EM

    Regular Price: $19.95

    Special Price: $7.98


    Dutch Stonewall
    The Stonewall is an ideal choice for those players who are keen to avoid the reams of theory that surround more popular openings such as the King's Indian and Nimzo-Indian Defenses. By playing the Stonewall, Black stakes an immediate claim in the center and lays the foundations for a potentially dangerous kingside attack.
    img

    Dutch Stonewall
    Catalog Code: B0234EM
    Our Price: $24.95

    Understanding Chess Move by Move
    A Top-Class Grandmaster Explains Step-By-Step How Chess Games are Won

    Publisher: Gambit
    Author: John Nunn
    Year of Publication: 2008 Pages: 240
    Notation Type: Figurine (FN)


    Book Description John Nunn is one of the most highly regarded chess writers in the world. He has carefully selected thirty modern games to help the reader understand the most important aspects of chess and to illustrate modern chess principles in action. Virtually every move is explained using words that everyone can understand. Jargon is avoided as far as possible. Almost all the examples are taken from the 1990s and show how key ideas are handled by the grandmasters of today. The emphasis is on general principles that readers will be able to use in their own games, and detailed analysis is only given where it is necessary. Each game contains many lessons, but to guide the reader through the most important ideas in each phase of the game, the thirty games are grouped thematically into those highlighting opening, middlegame and endgame themes. About the Author(s) John Nunn is a grandmaster from England. He has won four individual gold medals and three team silver medals at Chess Olympiads. In the Chess World Cup of 1988/9, he finished sixth overall, ahead of several former World Champions. He is arguably the most highly acclaimed chess writer in the world, with two of his books receiving the prestigious British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award.
    img

    Understanding Chess Move by Move
    A Top-Class Grandmaster Explains Step-By-Step How Chess Games are Won
    Catalog Code: B0086GB
    Our Price: $22.95

    The Meran System
    Unravels the Mysteries of a Rich and Complex Chess Opening
    The Meran is an opening rich in both strategy and tactics, making it ideal for players seeking to win with either colour. It occupies an important place in the repertoires of many of the world's top players, with Anand, Kramnik, Kasparov and Karpov regularly taking one side or the other.
    img

    The Meran System
    Unravels the Mysteries of a Rich and Complex Chess Opening
    Catalog Code: B0006GB

    Regular Price: $21.95

    Special Price: $8.78


    Play the Open Games as Black
    What to Do When White Avoids the Ruy Lopez
    his book fills a gaping chasm in chess literature. For years, those who wish to take on the black side of the Ruy Lopez have had to muddle their way through against the variety of alternative openings at White's disposal. This book gives a choice of systems for Black, to counter anything White might try in order to avoid the Ruy Lopez - the Scotch, King's Gambit, Italian Game, Four Knights, etc.
    img

    Play the Open Games as Black
    What to Do When White Avoids the Ruy Lopez
    Catalog Code: B0015GB
    Our Price: $23.95

    Easy Guide to the Nge2 King's Indian
    Winning with the Hungarian Attack
    This book guides you through the main themes of the Hungarian Attack and presents you with a well-organized repertoire, which also includes lines against Benoni. The co-author Forintos is the world's leading expert on this opening and this guide contains a complete and potentially deadly system against the King's Indian and has the first thorough coverage of an aggressive system with surprise value.
    img

    Easy Guide to the Nge2 King's Indian
    Winning with the Hungarian Attack
    Catalog Code: B0045EM

    Regular Price: $18.95

    Special Price: $7.58


    Modern Defence
    The Modern Defence leads to sharp and dynamic positions from the very first few moves. Black concedes space in the center with a view to launching a counterattack based on his powerful bishop fianchetto. As leading grandmasters such as Alexei Shirov, Mikhail Gurevich and Jon Speelman himself have shown on numerous occasions, when it works, the Modern Defence is truly a spectacular weapon. This book will show you how to put it to use in your own games.
    img

    Modern Defence
    Catalog Code: B0165EM
    Our Price: $19.95

    Improve Your Opening Play
    Grandmaster Chris Ward explains the important ideas behind every major opening, unravelling among others the secrets of the Sicilian, the mysteries of the Modern and the fundamentals of the French. He emphasizes the need to understand the key elements of each opening rather than simply memorize a series of complicated variations which leave you stranded if the opponent varies from the expected route.
    img

    Improve Your Opening Play
    Catalog Code: B0214EM

    Regular Price: $14.95

    Special Price: $5.98


lb