Board games: Chess Books

Book SynopsisStarting Out: Open Games is a further addition to Everyman's best-selling Starting Out series. Grandmaster Glenn Flear revisits the fundamentals of Open Games, examining the key moves and plans for both sides.Trade Review'The first books I browse when I go to the bookstore.' Chesscafe.com on the Starting Out series

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Book SynopsisLet's face facts: everyone enjoys winning. And the only thing better than winning is to win quickly! Mistakes are often made in the early part of the game - at all levels of chess - but a key skill is to recognise these critical moments as they happen and to exploit them with maximum efficiency. This is a skill which Grandmaster Simon Williams addresses in this book. Using instructive and entertaining games in which one side wins quickly, he examines all the typical mistakes chess players make in the opening and early middlegame, how you should look to exploit them, and how to avoid falling into similar traps yourself. All too often opponents are let off the hook, mistakes go unpunished and the game drags on. Don't let this happen to you - become a ruthless winner!

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Book SynopsisDo you need to freshen up your chess openings? Stun your opponents with new and exciting ideas! Dangerous Weapons is a series of opening books which supply the reader with an abundance of hard-hitting ideas to revitalize his or her opening repertoire. In this book, three opening specialists team up and take a contemporary look at the Caro-Kann, one of the most popular chess openings. Instead of analysing the well-trodden main lines they concentrate on fresh or little-explored variations, selecting a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both colours. Whether playing White or Black, a study of this book will leave you confident and fully-armed, and your opponents running for cover! *State-of-the-art coverage of the Caro-Kann *Packed with original ideas and analysis *Ideal weapons to shock your opponentsTrade Review'I feel that these books are the most refreshing of recent opening products, and wonderful for anyone wishing to get off of the main theoretical paths.' Award-winning author John Watson reviewing the Dangerous Weapons series for The Week in Chess. 'The book should be welcomed by all tournament players who like to see their pieces flying.' Grandmaster Lubomir Kavalek reviewing Dangerous Weapons: The Nimzo-Indian for Washington Post.

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Book SynopsisThe main reason why we lose at chess is no big secret: we all make unnecessary mistakes! But simply acknowledging this fact isn't enough to help us improve. The big question is, how can we eliminate these mistakes from our game, or at least keep them to an absolute minimum? Colin Crouch tackles this vital subject face-to-face. Drawing upon his considerable experience, he looks back at critical moments within games where mistakes are made, and examines how we can recognise the danger signs and avoid making impulsive decisions. The reader is constantly challenged by exercises, which provide perfect training for real over-the-board battles.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a repertoire for Black with the ever-popular Queen's Gambit Declined. Opening expert John Cox covers not one but two key options for Black. The Tartakower Variation is a sophisticated defence used successfully by world champions such as Kasparov, Karpov and Kramnik. The Lasker Variation is an easy-to-learn and reliable option devised by one of the legends of the game. Cox also demonstrates how to play against White's other tries, including the Exchange Variation and Bf4 lines. He explains in detail the typical plans and tactics adopted by both sides, whilst also tackling the tricky subject of move-order possibilities. *A repertoire for Black against the Queen's Gambit *Provides answers to all of White's main options *Ideal for improvers, club players and tournament playersTrade Review...This all makes for a book that offers a Black repertoire that should be attractive to many players. After reading this book, I feel compelled to study the opening in more depth and try it out for myself. ****** (out of 6) - MAXIMUM rating! Carsten Hansen ChessCafe.com

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Book SynopsisSimon Williams presents an ambitious opening repertoire for Black based on the ever-popular French Defence. In this book one of the world's most imaginative Grandmasters combines his unique attacking ideas with the traditionally solid French structure, resulting in a powerful armoury of weapons. This will prove ideal for players who like to seize the initiative and cause problems for their opponents from the outset. Williams' recommendations are based on his own practical experience, where his ideas have stood the test of time against powerful grandmaster opposition. Attacking Chess is a brand new series of opening repertoire books. It focuses on traditional attacking openings, as well as creative and forceful ways to play openings that are not always associated with attacking chess. It provides ambitious repertoires designed for players of all levels. *A Grandmaster's repertoire in the French Defence *Packed with new ideas, analysis and novelties *Illustrative games explain typical plans and tacticsTrade ReviewIf you are looking for a new defence to 1.e4, or if you play the French anyway but would like to replenish your understanding of the opening with some new aggressive ideas, then Simon Williams' book can be wholeheartedly recommended. Paul Kane Manchester Chess Federation

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Book SynopsisThe wait is over. Finally it's here...the much anticipated 4th edition of John Watson's Play the French - the must-have book for all French Defence players for over 20 years! Watson's highly acclaimed work presents a repertoire for Black in the French Defence against all of White's recognized options. Just as in previous editions, Watson often arms the reader with not just one, but a choice of two or sometimes even three choices against the main lines. He also provides a thorough grounding on the positional and tactical aspects of the opening, and outlines the typical plans for both White and Black. Watson is renowned for his creativity and expertise in the opening, and once again this edition features an abundance of innovative ideas for Black. Watson also provides an update of many other lines he considered in previous editions. 8 A French Defence repertoire for Black * State-of-the-art coverage of the key lines *Packed with new ideas and critical analysisTrade ReviewNow in its fourth incarnation, Play The French is still the book that all other repertoire books wish to become. - ChessCafe.com

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Book SynopsisThis new series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge. The Four Knights is an opening with a long and distinguished history. Despite its deceptively quiet appearance, it can lead to extremely sharp play - for example in the Belgrade Gambit - as well as more strategic battles in the main lines. In this book, Cyrus Lakdawala invites you to join him in examining the many different variations of the Four Knights. He shares his experience and knowledge, studies the typical plans and tactics for both sides, offers repertoire options and provides answers to all the key questions. *Essential guidance and training in the Four Knights *Also covers Three Knights and Anti-Petroff lines *Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study

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Book SynopsisThis series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge. The English Opening is a popular choice, from club level all the way through to world champions. Its flexibility allows players to choose from a number of different set-ups - positional or aggressive, classical or hypermodern. It also appeals to those who prefer learning opening ideas to memorizing reams of theory. In this book, Steve Giddins invites you to join him in studying the English and its many variations. He examines instructive games, covers the most important lines and provides answers to all the key questions. *Essential guidance and training in the English Opening *Important ideas absorbed by continued practice *Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study

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Book SynopsisIt's time to start your chess training! This is the eagerly awaited follow-up to The Complete Chess Workout, Richard Palliser's highly acclaimed chess puzzle book. Now he presents the reader with 1200 new puzzles, every one checked for accuracy by the latest computer engines. All top chess players agree that to keep your tactical muscles in shape it's imperative to continue training, and the easiest and most fun way to do this is by performing tactical exercises. Even solving a few puzzles for ten minutes each day can be of the utmost benefit for the aspiring player. Just as in his first book, Palliser provides something for players of all levels: a huge number of basic tactics - forks, pins, skewers and checkmates - to appeal to beginners and improvers, and many brain-teasers that will tax even the strongest of players. All the important tactical themes are covered, while there are special sections on opening traps and endgames. Work your way through this book, and unleash your enhanced tactical powers on future opponents! *A comprehensive training manual for chess tactics*Ideal for all levels of player*All puzzles checked by computer enginesTrade ReviewQuotes for The Complete Chess Workout - 9781857445329 (October 2007)"If you love brainteasers as much as I do, then a new book that's perfect for you is IM Richard Palliser's The Complete Chess Workout, containing a fabulous feast of 1200 puzzles and solutions."Grandmaster Paul Motwani, The Scotsman "This is 318 pages of pure fun."Sean Marsh, marshtowers.blogspot.com

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Book SynopsisChess Secrets is a series of books which uncover the mysteries of the most important aspects of chess, such as strategy, attack, defence, opening play, endgames, off-board preparation and mental attitude. In each book the author studies a number of great players who have excelled in such aspects of the game, greatly influenced their peers and inspired all of us. In Great Chess Romantics, Craig Pritchett selects five players, whose artistic spirit expresses a personal commitment to the discovery and revelation of great new truths and beauty on the chessboard. Anderssen defined romanticism's inherently dramatic and correct combinational core. Chigorin championed this essence in splendid opposition to an emerging new classical consensus. Reti revealed the extraordinary power of new flank openings. Larsen confounded the overly sober, scientific Soviet school at innumerable turns. In the computer age, Morozevich constantly discovers new depths to chess, while simply oozing exquisite strokes in his best games.Trade Review"A book that belongs in every chessplayer's library." John Donaldson, on Chess Secrets: Heroes of Classical Chess

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Book SynopsisWhat separates the best chess players from the rest? What gives them the edge over their rivals? Chess legend Vladimir Kramnik believes it's their fighting skills and the ability to continuously find ways to keep a game alive. Colin Crouch agrees, and is fascinated that the world's strongest players seem almost unbeatable, even when games appear sharp and double-edged. In this book Crouch examines the tremendous fighting qualities of today's top grandmasters. Analysing key games from 2012, Crouch demonstrates how they give nothing away to opponents but are always alert to punish any slight errors, and crucially, how we can apply these lessons to help us in our own games. Move by Move provides an ideal platform to study chess. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to improve your chess skills and knowledge.Trade Review"It is always a treat to read a book by Colin Crouch." GM Lubomir Kavalek on Chess Secrets: Great Attackers

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Book SynopsisChess strategy is the long-term planning at the heart of winning chess. Each important idea is clearly explained using games carefully chosen for their instructive clarity and power. This is the fifth but stand-alone volume of the Comprehensive Chess Course, the series that brings readers of English the once strictly guarded Russian training methods.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides readers with all the essential information they need to learn chess and to start winning-quickly! The contents-tested and proven to work-leave little to chance. The reader learns the rules, how to apply them efficiently, the principles of winning chess, and how to visualize the board and pieces-all prerequisites for success. This is the first volume (Fifth Edition; time-tested for twenty-five years!) of the Comprehensive Chess Course Series: From Beginner to Master and Beyond. Each of its fourteen volumes stands on its own; together, they create a truly unique, and very practical, work.

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Book SynopsisIt's been said that "tactics are 99% of chess." This third volume of the Comprehensive Chess Course teaches you the basic tools of winning chess with instructive and memorable examples. Grandmasters Alburt and Palatnik thoroughly explain hundreds of key positions arranged by difficulty and designed to sharpen tactical recognition and vision in your own games. Nothing is left to chance in this work. All materials have already shown their worth in Russian chess instruction. GM Alburt's Comprehensive Chess Course brings English readers the once strictly guarded and time-tested Russian training methods, the key to the 50-year Russian dominance of world chess. Comprehensive Chess Course takes you from beginner to master.Trade Review"Chess Tactics for the Tournament Player is ideal for both serious study and light entertainment. A highly instructive primer on tactics, the material here will never pall." -- Grandmaster Larry Evans, five-time U.S. chess champion

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Book SynopsisChess For the Gifted and Busy cuts through the mysteries of strategy and tactics to show you just what you need to know and delivers all the essential knowledge.

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Book SynopsisThis book covers more than a hundred years of chess in the Civil Service, with information about the clubs, the individuals, the events they contested, the successes, and the arguments that sometimes resulted. Clubs regularly featured leading players of the day and the Civil Service representative team frequently beat strong counties in 50-board matches, as well as participating in a mammoth 500-board match against the rest of England. Names of chess clubs bring a whiff of nostalgia, with India Office, War Office and Civil Service Rifles no longer in existence. Leading players served their country not only in their departments, but at establishments like Bletchley Park in the Second World War. Several civil servants represented their country in international matches. Over a thousand players participated in the league at one stage.Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements 7 Abbreviations and Acronyms 10 Chapter 1 1845 - 1927 Beginnings 13 Chapter 2 1927 – 1939 CSCA Merger to World War II 60 Chapter 3 1939 – 1946 Espionage, World War II and the Advent of Computers 94 Chapter 4 1946 – 1967 Hitting the Heights 111 Chapter 5 1967 – 1983 Modernization 162 Chapter 6 1983 – 1998 Drama follows Drama 216 Chapter 7 1999 – 2016 Decline and Fall 283 Annex Articles by E C Baker, M.B.E. 333 Club Histories Correspondence Chess 390 Biographies 397 Trophy Winners & Officials 487 Literature Sources etc. 527

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Book SynopsisOur short life together was fun, fascinating and happy. I accompanied my husband to chess tournaments. We traveled a lot, saw a lot, met the most interesting people. Meeting Alekhine, Euwe, Flohr, Capablanca, Keres was unforgettable. We became friends with many of them. Now, when I turn the pages of my life and remember my family, which was obliterated so ruthlessly, the old wounds open again and start bleeding.This book tells the story of one of the most enigmatic and tragic figures in chess history the Latvian grandmaster Vladimirs Petrovs (1908 1943). His name was struck out of chess literature for decades. His games and biography are largely unknown to the public even though Petrovs defeated Alekhine, Fine, Reshevsky, Boleslavsky and many other great players of the past, gained prizes at supertournaments including joint first at the famous Kemeri 1937 tournament, and performed strongly for Latvia at chess Olympiads. According to the Chessmetrics website, Petrovs was ranked no. 14 in the world in November 1938, and his performance at Kemeri 1937 was 2709. He had a 2.5-2.5 lifetime score against Alekhine.In the first part of this book, grandmaster and chess historian Dmitry Kryakvin instructively analyzes Petrovs' career through 52 games and fragments. As well as the above players, opponents include Smyslov, Euwe, Bogoljubov, Keres, Stahlberg, Flohr, Spielmann, and many other global stars of pre-war chess. In the second part, Petrovs' widow Galina Petrova-Matisa recounts the tragic fate of her husband and family members and her search for the truth of what happened to Petrovs. She further provides biographical details of their short, blissful family life for four-and-a-half years, including unforgettable meetings with the world's strongest chess players and their families. The work contains a large number of rare family and tournament photos.

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Book SynopsisCheckmate! has all the excitement a chess fan could want, from world champions, to history's most famous matches, to the role of chess in society. This volume begins by retracing the history of chess through 16 players who have been officially recognised as the greatest world champions-looking at their lives and contributions to the game. The following section describes the most iconic matches, either because of their intensity, the players' fierce rivalry, or the political conflict between countries, as in the famous match between Russian Boris Spassky and American Bobby Fischer during the Cold War. The final chapter looks at the modern-day chess scene and the rise of artificial intelligence in chess games.

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Book SynopsisIn his first book (we anticipate many more), the young Hungarian author makes a worthy attempt to walk his readers through a complete 1.d4 opening repertoire. Yet while he is taking you thru the opening he never forgets the other phases of the game. As a result, the subsequent middlegame and endgame elements are remarkably well organized benefiting both beginner and advanced players to acquire powerful skills with 1.d4! In what way is this book special? How can it make someone a better player? These are perfectly legitimate questions and whenever I buy a new chess book, I essentially ask the same ones. The short answer is that this book will give you a comprehensive understanding of the chosen openings. Unlike many other books with a similar profile, it goes beyond pure theory and in addition to giving a great deal of practical advice, it touches on issues such as sample games, typical tactical strikes and, in the last chapter, endgames. On top of all this, a homework section enables you to immerse yourself in a given topic and achieve an in-depth understanding of it in your own time. We follow this structure because as a coach, I know how important it is to receive as much guidance as possible on a new opening. Only this can lead to true mastery. Let me recommend this book to any player who wants to learn more about closed openings, adopt a new approach to chess and build up a thorough and sophisticated repertoire. I have tested these openings with my students with good results, so I believe this book is suitable for anyone with an Elo rating from 1600-2500. Trade Review "All beginnings are difficult" is an old saying, and this is true as well from my review of this book. I am reminded of the story where an elderly woman says to her surgeon, "Doctor, I am so afraid as this is my first operation." The doctor winks and says, "Don't worry it will be my first operation as well!" So you and I have this book in front of us as the surgery and the work of my young friend and former student IM Armin Juhász is the surgeon. I remember vividly the founding of Géza Maróczy Chess School in Budapest in 2006. The School was especially successful during its first years. Following the examples of such outstanding Hungarian players as László Szabó, Gedeon Barcza or Géza Maróczy himself, a number of excellent young players including Benjamin Gledura and Richard Rapport (currently ranked 13th in the world) have debuted their talents at the school. It was also at the Maróczy school where Ármin Juhász studied as well. Was it easy for these students? Was it easy for us coaches? I think the answer is a clear yes. We had the privilege to invite as guest lecturers such internationally known Hungarian chess greats as Pál Benkő, Lajos Portisch, Zoltán Ribli, Gyula Sax, István Csom, (members of the gold medalist team at the 1978 Chess Olympiad in Buenos Aires), and JuditPolgár, Zsuzsa Polgár, Zsuzsa Verőci and Mária Ivánka. Our young students had the opportunity to learn chess from no lesser names than these. And yes, IM ÁrminJuhász, who became the youngest FIDE Trainer in Europe in 2018, was among these students. In his first book (we anticipate many more), the young Hungarian author makes a worthy attempt to walk his readers through a complete 1.d4 opening repertoire. Yet while he is taking you thru the opening he never forgets the other phases of the game. As a result, the subsequent middlegame and endgame elements are remarkably well organized benefitting both beginner and advanced players to acquire powerful skills with 1.d4. In addition, Ármin pays adequate attention to those tactical motifs that are quite significant in the dynamic games of many contemporary players. Clearly he keeps in mind the German master Richard Teichmann's observation that “Chess is 99% tactics”. This complex book follows a clear structure with a large number of games and positions from outstanding players and various historical eras. Then he spices all this up in the analyses sections with tricks and insights mainly associated with the so-called Hungarian chess school tradition. I heartily recommend this book not only to those who are eager to boost their ELO rating (Did you know that Dr. Árpád Élő was an American professor of Hungarian birth?) but also to coaching colleagues (including my fellow GMs), because 1.d4! The Chess Bible is an excellent source of great examples and useful drills. I will certainly use it in my own coaching practice. Lastly, please be aware that the author comes from a dedicated chess family. His older brother, IM Kristóf Juhász is 27 and achieved his first GM norm in 2020, the year of the pandemic. His younger brother FM Ágoston Juhász (aged 15) was a U14 National Champion. See you at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest in 2024! József Horváth Grand Master and FIDE Senior Trainer Budapest, January 2021 In summary, if you play 1.d4 then this book will provide a unique insight into many typical structures and plans and if you play the King’s Indian, Grünfeld, Benoni, Slav or the black side of the Catalan then this book will be beneficial. In many ways this book has provided a fresh approach to teaching openings and, tells us a great deal about the author in the process. It is clear as daylight that IM Armin Juhasz is a talented trainer and author with a great passion for teaching. We are convinced that his time must be in high demand! John Upham, British Chess News, Cove, Hampshire, 27th April, 2021Juhasz has written his book with two ideas in mind. The first is to provide non-professionals with a repertoire against the majority of Black’s answers to 1.d4. The second is to explain the typical ideas and plans for both sides through the use of model games which may or may not be connected to the intended repertoire. One doesn’t normally see the Catalan recommended for non-professionals (the target audience for 1.d4! The Chess Bible is roughly 2000-2300), but like Christof Sielecki’s 1.d4 Keep it Simple where the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 is advocates, this book has some cleverly thought out ideas to sidestep massive amounts of theory. In this case the preferred move orders are 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ Nbd7 6.Qxc4 a6 7.Be3 and 4…Be7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Nbd2. Objectively the latter doesn’t promise a lot against reasonable play, but kudos to Juhasz for designing a Catalan repertoire which is so manageable. Playing the Catalan via this move order with 3.g3, instead of 3.Nf3, and advocating 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 against the Modern Benoni, means White will need an extra Benoni/English line after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5. Additionally, 1.d4! The Chess Bible is not one stop shopping for those desiring a complete repertoire playing 1.d4. The Dutch, Benko Gambit and Queen’s Gambit Accepted are among the Black defenses not covered. These caveats considered, 1.d4! The Chess Bible, is still a good introductory work for its intended audience. IM John Donaldson June 2021.

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Book SynopsisBefore you is the tournament book of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2021. The event that has been won in sensational fashion by the young Dutch grandmaster Jorden van Foreest. In a tiebreak in the third blitz game, he was just a bit faster of his compatriot Anish Giri. The barrage was necessary because both players very surprisingly ended with the wonderful score of 8½ out of 13 in joint first place. With this they had left behind, among others, World Champion Magnus Carlsen (7½) and the number two in the world, Fabiano Caruana (8). An unprecedented achievement, because the tournament in Wijk aan Zee is sometimes called the "Wimbledon of chess" of the elite tournaments. After the last round, in which Van Foreest in a formidable way had left the Swede Nils Grandelius chanceless, it was waiting for the game between the Spaniard David Antón Guijarra and Anish Giri. Our compatriot was in a bad position, lost perhaps, but he managed to free himself from the tangled position and gain an important half point. It was decided beforehand that a tiebreak would be held, consisting of at least two blitz games. Should these result in a 1-1 score, an Armageddon game would be played. This turned out to be a nervous and blood-curdling fight, with the pieces flying around. In the end the younger OF the two, Jorden van Foreest, emerged victorious and thus the young Groninger booked the greatest success of his still young career. Apart from the commotion in the Dutch seaside resort of Wijk aan Zee, where the tournament was held – under strict corona rules – the whole of the Netherlands rose to its feet when this great result became known. Hadn't we had to wait since 1985, when Jan Timman won the Hoogovens chess tournament, for a Dutch chess player to stand on the highest podium? And now it was even two players from this country who could dispute together who would take the highest honor

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Book SynopsisThe purpose of this series is to introduce the reader to advanced training concepts, using the same methods of presentation and instruction that were taught to great players by famous trainers that they have worked with. The series will commence with the The Passed Pawn and we will examine how to handle such pawns. Every chess player who wishes to improve his level in the difficult subject of chess is obliged to study methodically and understand the existing principles that govern the theory of the opening, middlegame and endgame. Most chess players focus more on the study of opening theory than other aspects of the game. The reasons are probably clear: opening theory is easier to learn and can provide immediate results, although this is based more on the opponent’s ignorance than our own abilities. Even for a chess trainer, it is easier to teach some variations from this or that opening or a set of simple tactical motifs than to engross himself in the exposition of middlegame and endgame theory. Yes, middlegame and endgame theory does exist. The great difficulty in approaching it lies in the fact that it does not follow absolute and clear-cut paths, but rather involves deep research in the ideas and logic by which specific types of positions are treated. Moreover, unlike opening theory, the theory of the middlegame and the endgame does not change rapidly based on modern developments; it remains almost intact through the years. In view of the above, any chess player who wishes to follow a chess career or simply become a better player must refrain from the commonplace and assume a different approach. He must develop a good understanding of middlegame and endgame theory, so as to be able in his games to proceed in a proper way after his chosen opening has reached its conclusion. The chess player can differentiate himself only in the opening; there, each one of us brings forth his own beliefs and convictions, and in general his own experiences and references. Objectively, no opening loses — but also no opening wins. The opening is just the beginning of the journey and serves to offer us a comfortable start. But to reach the end of this journey successfully we have to count on our knowledge and experience, as regards middlegame and endgame theory. Endgame theory teaches us two fundamental issues. First, how to extract the maximum from a basic theoretical position with little material, where the experts, from practice comprising thousands of games, have reached definite conclusions. Second, the way in which we can handle an endgame, depending on the material remaining on the board, and the ideas and plans we should employ. This second issue is significantly more difficult to master because, apart from making full use of the first one (we must be aware of the possible outcomes of the endgame in question) it is greatly influenced by our experience and understanding, which are basically derived from the images and impressions we have from related positions. A primary role is played here by the effort we have invested in studying. In middlegame theory, things are even tougher. We are obliged to study various types of positions with specific strategic and tactical attributes, so as to understand the underlying ideas and be able to employ them ourselves in similar situations. While many chess players have studied these topics and acquired knowledge, it is the application of this knowledge in practice that helps differentiate between them. Chess is not a simple activity, but it becomes so much more attractive when we acquire this knowledge.

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Book Synopsis· Jan Boekelman has produced you with a playable repertoire out of a somewhat sideline Opening, which nobody dared to touch to make it into an entire repertoire.· Try to expand your knowledge in the 3.c3 variation and go beyond the book's content· Deepen your knowledge in 3.c4 variation and do not play it before you know it well · Finally, follow the very strong GM Vladislav Artemiev, who has had a relatively successful run with this opening in rapid online events.

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Book SynopsisThis second and final volume of the Anti-Sicilian series covers our approach for all alternatives to 2…Nc6. The choice against 2…d6 was obvious. The Moscow variation is the only critical alternative to 3.d4 that has caused any concerns for Black – by developing with a tempo, we force Black to make an immediate decision on move 3 and wait for the right moment to open the position. Whilst in the Rossolimo book we have tried to achieve an objective advantage against every line, our choices in the Moscow were mainly selected by their ability to create practical difficulties for the opponent. Naturally, it is not possible to find an advantage in every variation but we have ensured to add many detailed explanations to guide plans and aid understanding in the various positions we’ll encounter

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Book Synopsis For almost two centuries the French Defense has been a universally popular opening. Many authorities have made their contribution to establishing the theory. Thanks to their efforts, players nowadays can easily make a choice between the many and various options, whether peaceful or sharp, whether statically or dynamically orientated. Just as importantly, if not more so, fans of the French worldwide can today find good options to play both for a win and a draw! All this makes the French Defense very popular. However, the authors think that many lines have not been well explained or should be revisited. Some other lines deserve a better reputation. Finally we have also suggested some new approaches. Simply speaking, the French Defense looks to be inexhaustible and there cannot be enough books dedicated to it. This book takes a step in the direction of revitalizing our favorite opening! The aut

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Book SynopsisFor many chess-players, opening study is pure hard work. It is difficult to know what is important and what is not, and when specific knowledge is vital, or when a more general understanding is sufficient. Tragically once the opening is over, a player is puzzled what plan to follow, or even understand why his pieces are on the squares on which they sit.Our author GM Dariusz Swiercz, continued in the second Volume of his series, and explains in a methodological way how to solve these issues when White proceeds with 3.Nf3 and g3.He picked some aggressive options with the Ragozin and brings the ever-popular Catalan to a stand still. Any chess player being Black would be much interested to find out how Dariusz decided on his final choices. We are convinced you won’t be disappointed with his second and final volume of this series.

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Book SynopsisThe Grunfeld Defence is one of the most dynamic openings for Black. The opening was developed by two famous World Champions, namely Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. While theory is far from being exhausted and still developing, our author Grandmaster Milos Pavlovic made a strange case and found new alternatives to battle White''s setups. On top this book cuts through the dense theory that surrounds this opening and establishes a total new repertoire based around consistent strategies, concepts and novelties.This is a fully revised and seriously extended edition of the original book published in 2017.

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Book SynopsisThe fourth volume of the Grandmaster Repertoire 1.e4 series provides a top-class repertoire against the Taimanov, Kan and Scheveningen systems, plus all the other Sicilian lines that were not covered in the previous volumes. Negi takes the established main lines and injects them with his own innovative ideas, making the repertoire a nightmare for Sicilian players and an essential addition to the library of every ambitious player.

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Book SynopsisMagic Chess Moves is a book that will enthral you while also testing and improving your chess abilities. You will be invited to solve a collection of exercise positions, but the accompanying text contains far more than simply the solutions. The author offers his reflections on all manner of other fascinating topics, such as how tactics can be coached, and details of the composer's life story. Magic Chess Moves contains the condensed wisdom of an experienced chess trainer with an emphasis on practical improvement. The 317 positions in this book are of mixed difficulty levels, with examples from over-the-board play and from chess compositions. Each and every exercise has been carefully selected for its instructive value to the practical player.

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