Gift Ideas
Gift Cards
New Arrivals
My Cart
CHESS BOOKS
Chess Life Magazine - January 2013 Issue
2861! Magnus Carlsen wins his second Grand Slam Final then later breaks Kasparov's record for the highest rating.
Chess Life Magazine - January 2013 Issue
Catalog Code: CL0113
Our Price: $3.95
Keres' Best Games of Chess
77 Games By The Brilliant Young Estonian Master
77 Games By The Brilliant Young Estonian Master
UNIVERSALLY acclaimed as the most brilliant master since the days of Paul Morphy. Keres has delighted the chess world with his dynamic combinative play and slashing surprise moves. In this exciting collection of his finest games, his claim to world championship honors is documented by notable victories against such chess immortals as Alekhine, Capablanca, Eliskases, Euwe, Fine, Flohr, Najdorf, Reshevsky, Smyslov, Spielmann and Stahlberg.
Keres' Best Games of Chess
77 Games By The Brilliant Young Estonian Master
Catalog Code: B0206IS
Our Price: $25.95
How to Beat Your Kids at Chess
An Adult Beginner's Guide to Chess - 2nd Edition
An Adult Beginner's Guide to Chess - 2nd Edition
How to Beat Your Kids at Chess is a book that truly starts at the beginning, with the most basic idea of all: the straight line. This book offers clear explanations, opportunities to practice each concept before moving on, and a systematic progression of ideas.
How to Beat Your Kids at Chess
An Adult Beginner's Guide to Chess - 2nd Edition
Catalog Code: B0063RE
Our Price: $19.95
Rubinstein's Chess Masterpieces
100 Selected Games
100 Selected Games
Akiba Rubinstein was born on 12 December 1882 in Poland. He has long been regarded as the strongest chess player in history who never became world champion. A recent trivia quiz appeared in Chess Life Magazine: Who is the player who defeated Lasker, Capablanca and Alekhine the first time he played each of them.
The answer was of course Akiba Rubinstein.
Rubinstein won five tournaments in a row during the period 1912-1914. There is little doubt that he was the strongest player in the world at that time.
Rubinstein's contribution to chess opening theory has been enormous. Almost every major chess opening has a Rubinstein Variation or a Rubinstein Defense. Think about it: There is no Fischer Defense, no Capablanca Defense. But there are many variations called the Rubinstein Defense or Variation. Only Steinitz has as many openings named after him, but the Steinitz Defenses are no longer played.
The answer was of course Akiba Rubinstein.
Rubinstein won five tournaments in a row during the period 1912-1914. There is little doubt that he was the strongest player in the world at that time.
Rubinstein's contribution to chess opening theory has been enormous. Almost every major chess opening has a Rubinstein Variation or a Rubinstein Defense. Think about it: There is no Fischer Defense, no Capablanca Defense. But there are many variations called the Rubinstein Defense or Variation. Only Steinitz has as many openings named after him, but the Steinitz Defenses are no longer played.
Rubinstein's Chess Masterpieces
100 Selected Games
Catalog Code: B0199IS
Our Price: $25.95
Rubinstein Gewinnt! - GERMAN EDITION
Hundert Glanzpartien des grossen Schachkunstlers
Hundert Glanzpartien des grossen Schachkunstlers
This is not merely a great book. It is an important piece of chess history, because the author Hans Kmoch visited the Rubinstein Family Home in 1933 in an effort to get the great grandmaster of chess to return to active play. When Rubinstein could not be induced to return, his family who was living in dire poverty asked Kmoch for help in raising funds. The result was an ad placed asking to finance this book on a subscription basis. The result was a book entitled “Rubinstein gewinnt! : Hundert Glanzpartien des grossen Schachknstlers. Erläutert von Hans Kmoch. Biographische Einleitung von Jacques Hannak. Verlag der Wiener Schachzeitung, Wien 1933
Rubinstein Gewinnt! - GERMAN EDITION
Hundert Glanzpartien des grossen Schachkunstlers
Catalog Code: B0198IS
Our Price: $25.95
Learn to Attack with Rudolph Spielmann
This books is designed to teach the aspiring chessplayer how to build an attack from the opening. It is based on the games of Rudolph Spielmann, one of the greatest attacking players of all time. All of the games belong to the category of the Open Game, characterized by the initial moves 1.e4 e5. One hundred games have been selected to illustrate not only how to carry out in attack, but how to build an attack from the opening.
Learn to Attack with Rudolph Spielmann
Catalog Code: B0196IS
Our Price: $14.95
The Fireside Book of Chess
A Multitude of Stories, Games, Articles, Quizzes & Anecdotes For All Devotees Of The Royal Game
A Multitude of Stories, Games, Articles, Quizzes & Anecdotes For All Devotees Of The Royal Game
The Fireside Book of Chess is a huge grab bag, accenting the lighter side of chess. It is a reservoir into which the reader can dip to provide countless hours of relaxation and entertainment. Since it makes few demands on the reader, it is a virtually perfect gift for Christmas or any other time of the year. Messers. Chernev and Reinfeld have stuffed their grab bag with golden nuggets.
The Fireside Book of Chess
A Multitude of Stories, Games, Articles, Quizzes & Anecdotes For All Devotees Of The Royal Game
Catalog Code: B0203IS
Our Price: $29.95
Schliemann's Defense
The Schliemann Defense is one of the most difficult and dangerous defenses in chess that Black has available. It starts with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 !!!!
This is not considered a Gambit because it would be useless for White to take the pawn with 4. exf5. Passive Defense is likely to give White a bad game. So, White must counter with 4. Nc3.
There are now two main branches. This book was previously published as a two volume work. However, most players of the Schliemann prefer the second and more risky line, so the two volumes have been combined into one book here.
This is an update with the latest new games and analysis on the two main branches of the Schliemann Defense. These branches arise after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4. The more conservative move favored by most strong players was 5. …. Nf6. The more dangerous and risky line is 5. …. d5, allowing 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5. This was thought to have been refuted but now grandmasters and others have proven that it is perfectly playable.
This is not considered a Gambit because it would be useless for White to take the pawn with 4. exf5. Passive Defense is likely to give White a bad game. So, White must counter with 4. Nc3.
There are now two main branches. This book was previously published as a two volume work. However, most players of the Schliemann prefer the second and more risky line, so the two volumes have been combined into one book here.
This is an update with the latest new games and analysis on the two main branches of the Schliemann Defense. These branches arise after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4. The more conservative move favored by most strong players was 5. …. Nf6. The more dangerous and risky line is 5. …. d5, allowing 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5. This was thought to have been refuted but now grandmasters and others have proven that it is perfectly playable.
Schliemann's Defense
Catalog Code: B0197IS
Our Price: $19.95
Theory of Chess Openings - Open Games
Paul Keres. The theory of chess openings. In two books. Open debuts. Tallinn Estonian state. ed. 1949, 1952. 288 p. Before applying the novelty in the opening, make sure you did not write about it. Keres, half a century ago! In depth study, this work has no equal. Materials offered in the book are systematic sampling, and of course, a critical treatment of the vast material that the theory and practice of chess found mostly in the last half century, and which, taken together, form what is generally accepted to call "opening theory." 48).
Theory of Chess Openings - Open Games
Catalog Code: B0202IS
Our Price: $25.95
Break the Rules!
A Modern Look at Chess Strategy
A Modern Look at Chess Strategy
In this instructive and entertaining book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald studies in depth the key components of successful rule-breaking in chess. Drawing upon his own experience and using examples from modern grandmaster chess, McDonald examines how to avoid stereotypical thinking, how to exploit typical thinking patterns, and how to confuse and beat opponents with surprising ideas.
Break the Rules!
A Modern Look at Chess Strategy
Catalog Code: B0358EM
Our Price: $26.95
EBOOK - Break the Rules!
A Modern Look at Chess Strategy
A Modern Look at Chess Strategy
In this instructive and entertaining book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald studies in depth the key components of successful rule-breaking in chess. Drawing upon his own experience and using examples from modern grandmaster chess, McDonald examines how to avoid stereotypical thinking, how to exploit typical thinking patterns, and how to confuse and beat opponents with surprising ideas.
EBOOK - Break the Rules!
A Modern Look at Chess Strategy
Catalog Code: E-B0358EM
Our Price: $19.95
Dreispringerspiel bis Königsgambit - GERMAN EDITION
Moderne Theorie der Schacheröffnungen
Moderne Theorie der Schacheröffnungen
Three Knights Game, Four Knights, Italian game, Two Knights, Russian Defence, Vienna Game, including the King's Gambit A new opening book by Keres - which for many chess fans the big event! No doubt rightly, for the well-known Soviet chess grandmaster knows not only how to explain the current state of opening theory, but he has enriched himself with important ideas in the theory of many openings. His basic opening works therefore receive the most recognition worldwide.
Dreispringerspiel bis Königsgambit - GERMAN EDITION
Moderne Theorie der Schacheröffnungen
Catalog Code: B0190IS
Our Price: $25.95
World's Most Instructive Amateur Game Book
Renowned chess instructor and writer Dan Heisman presents thirty games by intermediate-level players, each one offering a rich variety of lessons in practical competitive play for all chess enthusiasts.
World's Most Instructive Amateur Game Book
Catalog Code: B0093EU
Our Price: $24.95
The Dynamic Benko Gambit
An Attacking Repertoire for Black
An Attacking Repertoire for Black
The Benko Gambit is a great opening for those who like active play. Black sacrifices a pawn in order to activate his pieces on the queenside, and generally gains enduring pressure.
The Dynamic Benko Gambit
An Attacking Repertoire for Black
Catalog Code: B0121NIC
Our Price: $32.95
NIC Yearbook 104 - HARDCOVER EDITION
Gelfand Pushes Anand Around in the Chebanenko Slav
Gelfand Pushes Anand Around in the Chebanenko Slav
In this issue’s Reviews Glenn Flear checks three opening books that have in common that, instead of detailed computer analysis where things can easily go wrong, they offer solid solutions: "The Berlin Defence" by Igor Lysyj & Roman Ovetchkin, "Slay the Sicilian" by Tim Taylor, and "The Modern French" by Dejan Antic and Branimir Maksimovic.
NIC Yearbook 104 - HARDCOVER EDITION
Gelfand Pushes Anand Around in the Chebanenko Slav
Catalog Code: B0104HYB
Our Price: $39.95
NIC Yearbook 104 - PAPERBACK EDITION
Gelfand Pushes Anand Around in the Chebanenko Slav
Gelfand Pushes Anand Around in the Chebanenko Slav
In this issue’s Reviews Glenn Flear checks three opening books that have in common that, instead of detailed computer analysis where things can easily go wrong, they offer solid solutions: "The Berlin Defence" by Igor Lysyj & Roman Ovetchkin, "Slay the Sicilian" by Tim Taylor, and "The Modern French" by Dejan Antic and Branimir Maksimovic.
NIC Yearbook 104 - PAPERBACK EDITION
Gelfand Pushes Anand Around in the Chebanenko Slav
Catalog Code: B0104PYB
Our Price: $33.95
The Powerful Catalan
A Complete Repertoire For White
A Complete Repertoire For White
In this book top Grandmaster Victor Bologan presents a complete repertoire for White. He covers all of Black’s options as well as possible transpositions to other openings.
The Powerful Catalan
A Complete Repertoire For White
Catalog Code: B0122NIC
Our Price: $29.95
The Magic Tactics of Mikhail Tal
Learn from the Legend
Learn from the Legend
Mikhail Tal was one of the greatest geniuses of chess history. The magician from Riga, as he was known because of his dazzling attacking games, took the chess world by storm and in 1961, at the age of twenty-three, he won the world championship.
The Magic Tactics of Mikhail Tal
Learn from the Legend
Catalog Code: B0120NIC
Our Price: $28.95
Reshevsky on Chess
Revealing the winning technique for the first time, the United States Chess Champion presents 110 of the best games, instructively analyzed. The book includes an autobiography of Reshevsky's career – from his youth as a chess prodigy to his latest exploits. This is the authoritative work where Samuel Reshevsky explains his remarkable and amazing career. He started his chess career as the greatest child prodigy in chess history, playing nearly master strength chess when he was eight years old. He went on a tour first of Europe and then America, giving simultaneous chess exhibitions against adults and winning almost every game.
Reshevsky on Chess
Catalog Code: B0191IS
Our Price: $25.95
Grandmaster Repertoire 11 - Beating 1.d4 Sidelines
Grandmaster Repertoire 11 – Beating 1.d4 Sidelines provides a sound and active repertoire against virtually every non-standard opening line at White’s disposal after both 1.d4 d5 and 1.d4 Nf6.
Grandmaster Repertoire 11 - Beating 1.d4 Sidelines
Catalog Code: B0071QT
Our Price: $34.95
Chess Archives
Chess Archives was published monthly by a team of Dutch chess opening analysts, headed by former World Champion Dr. Max Euwe. If a new opening trick or trap were discovered, one could be sure it would appear soon in Chess Archives. Readers of established books like Modern Chess Openings could have an unpleasant surprise when a line the were playing had been refuted by new discoveries. That was unlikely to happen to any reader of Chess Archives because the new issues would always contain the latest stuff.
Chess Archives
Catalog Code: B0194IS
Our Price: $29.95
Chess - The Fischer-Spassky Games
Of the World Chess Championship
Of the World Chess Championship
This is the authoritative book on the famous 1972 Fischer Spassky Match, and the book by the strongest player to write about the match. An appendix at the end contains all 20 games of the match in Algebraic Notation plus the concluding diagram for each game. Also added the five games Fischer played against Spassky before the match, which had resulted in the lopsided score of three wins by Spassky and two draws, with no wins by Fischer.
Chess - The Fischer-Spassky Games
Of the World Chess Championship
Catalog Code: B0189IS
Our Price: $14.95
Chess Informants - ISSUE 115
Chess Informant 115 Games – traditional section with 200+ annotated games, Morozevich, Movsesian, Volokitin, Shankland, Bartel, Sargissian, Ki. Georgiev, Macieja, Tiviakov, Roiz, Berg, etc. in Informant non-language style (152 pages)
Chess Informants - ISSUE 115
Catalog Code: B0115INF
Our Price: $35.95
Chess Informants - ISSUE 116
Chess Informant 116 Games – traditional section with 200+ annotated games, Morozevich, Movsesian, Volokitin, Shankland, Bartel, Sargissian, Ki. Georgiev, Macieja, Tiviakov, Roiz, Berg, etc. in Informant non-language style (152 pages)
Chess Informants - ISSUE 116
Catalog Code: B0116INF
Our Price: $35.95
The Games of Tigran Petrosian - Volume 2
1966-1983
1966-1983
This is the second volume of a two-volume work on the games of Tigran Petrosian. The first volume has his games from 1942 to 1965. Tigran Petrosian was World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969. He became the first player in the modern era to win a match to defend the world chess title, by defeating Boris Spassky in a match in 1966.
The Games of Tigran Petrosian - Volume 2
1966-1983
Catalog Code: B0186IS
Our Price: $29.95
Simple Attacking Plans
Novice players and amateurs of intermediate strength will benefit from the explanations of ideas and tips for practical play, all presented in an easy, conversational style. More experienced competitors will appreciate this book as a game collection featuring masterpieces of enterprising play – some of them never before published.
Simple Attacking Plans
Catalog Code: B0094EU
Our Price: $14.95
A History of Chess
From Chaturanga to the Present Day
From Chaturanga to the Present Day
In this book, the author, legendary Russian grandmaster Yuri Averbakh, presents a well-researched and documented theory about the origins, development and spread of this immensely popular game. In addition, over three dozen splendid color plates - presented on coated stock making the images suitable for framing - supplement his historical analysis.
A History of Chess
From Chaturanga to the Present Day
Catalog Code: B0062RE
Our Price: $14.95
Positional Play
Grandmaster Preparation
Grandmaster Preparation
In Positional Play Jacob Aagaard shares his simple three-step tool of positional analysis that he has used with club players and famous grandmasters to improve their positional decision-making. Working from the starting point that all players who aspire to play at international level have a certain amount of positional understanding, Aagaard lays out an easy-to-follow training plan that will improve everyone's intuition and positional decision-making.
Positional Play
Grandmaster Preparation
Catalog Code: B0072QT
Our Price: $34.95
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 3
September 1955 to June 1958
September 1955 to June 1958
This volume has important events related to California chess. By 1955, the states highways had been improved to the point where car travel became feasible between Northern and Southern California. So it’s no surprise that the 1955 56th U.S. Open, held in Long Beach, became the strongest and richest up to that time. GM Nicolas Rossolimo won the 1955 Buick over GM Sammy Reshevsky on tie-breaking points; Sammy had to be content with the $1,000 1st prize. The biggest shock in California chess history was IM Herman Steiner’s sudden and totally unexpected heart attack during the 1955 California State Championship. Herman was a handsome, energetic, larger than life presence, who attracted many the chess playing Hollywood elite. The passing of the former U.S. Champion and Editor of the Los Angeles Times chess column (since 1933) left a void in Southern California chess which has never been filled. Bobby Fischer’s first California appearance in 1957 was the San Francisco U.S. Junior. Bobby, the 14-year old defending champion, scored 8.5 points to beat out San Francisco’s own 17-year old Gilbert Ramirez, who was the California State Champion and California Open Champion. Of course, the Reporter covered Fischer’s first U.S. Championship win
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 3
September 1955 to June 1958
Catalog Code: B0187iS
Our Price: $29.95
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 4
August 1958 - June 1961
August 1958 - June 1961
This volume has important events related to California chess. By 1955, the states highways had been improved to the point where car travel became feasible between Northern and Southern California. So it’s no surprise that the 1955 56th U.S. Open, held in Long Beach, became the strongest and richest up to that time. GM Nicolas Rossolimo won the 1955 Buick over GM Sammy Reshevsky on tie-breaking points; Sammy had to be content with the $1,000 1st prize. The biggest shock in California chess history was IM Herman Steiner’s sudden and totally unexpected heart attack during the 1955 California State Championship. Herman was a handsome, energetic, larger than life presence, who attracted many the chess playing Hollywood elite. The passing of the former U.S. Champion and Editor of the Los Angeles Times chess column (since 1933) left a void in Southern California chess which has never been filled. Bobby Fischer’s first California appearance in 1957 was the San Francisco U.S. Junior. Bobby, the 14-year old defending champion, scored 8.5 points to beat out San Francisco’s own 17-year old Gilbert Ramirez, who was the California State Champion and California Open Champion. Of course, the Reporter covered Fischer’s first U.S. Championship win
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 4
August 1958 - June 1961
Catalog Code: B0195IS
Our Price: $29.95
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 5
August 1961 - June 1964
August 1961 - June 1964
1961-1964 was an exciting period for California Chess. This volume of the California Chess Reporter starts with the 1961 US Open in San Francisco won by Grandmaster Pal Benko with the overwhelming score of 11-1 by beating California State Champion Zoltan Kovacs in the last round. This volume concludes with the famous simultaneous exhibitions given by Bobby Fischer in 1964.
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 5
August 1961 - June 1964
Catalog Code: B0188IS
Our Price: $29.95
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 6
July 1964 - June 1967
July 1964 - June 1967
William Addison became director of the Chess Room at the Mechanics Institute in 1965. 1964-1967 saw more sweeping victories for future grandmaster Duncan Suttles. Paul Quillen got out of prison for long enough to win several important events. Jacqueline Piatigorsky organized a Second Piatigorsky Cup in 1966 with ten of the strongest players in the world competing. Two major events new were established: The National Open in Las Vegas started in 1964 and the American Open in Los Angeles stated in 1965. Both are still being played annually today. Cover Photo shows Tibor Weinberger (front left) playing Henry Gross in the game for the 1959 California Open Championship. Henry Gross had won his first five games and only needed to draw this game with white to clench the state title. Instead, he played too cautiously and Weinberger won the game in the title. In the background, Roger Smook (left) plays Gil Ramirez. The winner would have tied for first, but instead the game ended in a draw
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 6
July 1964 - June 1967
Catalog Code: B0192IS
Our Price: $29.95
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 7
July 1964 - June 1967
July 1964 - June 1967
Chess historians and collectors consider the California Chess Reporter the gold standard for California chess magazines. It has combined all the pertinent information that a chess historian looks for: who played in what tournament, club or league, when and where it was played, and, of course, the game scores. The match results, club results, league results, tournament cross tables, and game scores that appeared every month for both Northern and Southern California answered all of these criteria and more. In 1967-1971 chess activity increased throughout the state. No longer were players playing primarily for the honor and the glory. They wanted the money. Class tournaments started being held, where players would compete in the Class A, Class B or Class C sections for big cash prizes
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 7
July 1964 - June 1967
Catalog Code: B0193IS
Our Price: $29.95
Comprehensive Chess Endings - VOLUME 2
Bishop Against Knight Endings, Rook Against Minor Piece Endings
Bishop Against Knight Endings, Rook Against Minor Piece Endings
Comprehensive Chess Endings is a five volume master work by one of the world's leading authorities on the Chess Endgames, Grandmaster Yuri Averbakh.
Comprehensive Chess Endings - VOLUME 2
Bishop Against Knight Endings, Rook Against Minor Piece Endings
Catalog Code: B0184IS
Our Price: $25.95
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 2
September 1953 - June 1955
September 1953 - June 1955
This volume includes reprints “The Chess Players”, originally from the October 1953 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. The story of Zeno the Rat by Charles Harness faithfully recreates the small chess club atmosphere of 60 years ago.
The California Chess Reporter - VOLUME 2
September 1953 - June 1955
Catalog Code: B0181IS
Our Price: $29.95
Chess Psychologist World Champion Tal
This book contains 60 games in Descriptive Notation annotated by Liepnieks and other Latvian masters including Edmars Mednis, Paul Tautvaisas and John Tums based on the notes by Tal. It also includes Tal's Chess Quiz based on 10 of Tal's games. (WARNING: This quiz is too difficult. You will not be able to solve the problems.)
Chess Psychologist World Champion Tal
Catalog Code: B0179IS
Our Price: $19.95
