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

    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

    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

    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.
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    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.
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    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
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    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.
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    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.
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    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!
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    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!
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    The Evans Gambit Revolution

    Catalog Code: CB0054CD
    Our Price: $7.95

    The Fischer Attack in the Najdorf
    The Fischer Attack in the Najdorf
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    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
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    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.
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    The Sicilian Scheveningen for Black

    Catalog Code: CB0081CD
    Our Price: $9.95

    Queen's Gambit Accepted
    Queen's Gambit Accepted
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    Queen's Gambit Accepted

    Catalog Code: CB0090CD
    Our Price: $4.95

    The Tchigorin Defense
    The Tchigorin Defense
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    The Tchigorin Defense

    Catalog Code: CB0091CD
    Our Price: $4.95

    A Road to the Master Title
    A Road to the Master Title
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    A Road to the Master Title

    Catalog Code: CB0092CD
    Our Price: $7.95

    Henning Schara Gambit
    Henning Schara Gambit
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    Henning Schara Gambit

    Catalog Code: CB0098CD
    Our Price: $7.95

    The Noteboom Variation
    The Noteboom Variation
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    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.
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    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.
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    Application of Chess Theory

    Catalog Code: B0114EM
    Our Price: $23.95

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