Board games: Chess Books
Everyman Chess Queen's Gambit Declined: Vienna
Book SynopsisThe Vienna variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined is a complex and fascinating system arising after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 Bb4 5 Bg5 dxc4. This counterattacking weapon has become increasingly popular over the last decade and is frequently seen in games played at the highest level. Many games featuring elite players such as Garry Kasparov, Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand and Lev Aronian have started out in this variation. ----- In this QGD/Nimzo-Indian hybrid play can become extremely sharp very quickly and an in-depth knowledge of the theory is essential. Black will often grab material but will suffer from a lack of development and an exposed king. This variation will suit well-prepared players who have good tactical awareness and relish hand-to-hand combat. ----- * A complete theoretical survey of an important variation --- * A fascinating analysis of the battle between material and the initiative --- * Written by leading theoreticiansTrade ReviewIf you play the Queen’s Gambit Declined Vienna Variation, then you need to keep this book on hand. It will be your reference volume for a very long time --- Mark Donlan, ChessCafe.com
£17.09
Everyman Chess A Complete Repertoire for Black for Strategically
Book SynopsisTwo great books from the Everyman Chess Library, Play the Grunfeld by Yelena Dembo and Play the Sicilian Kan by Johann Hellsten, brought together in one volume The Grunfeld is an exciting and dynamic answer to 1 d4, and has become very popular at all levels of chess. A major reason for this is that it has been a long-time favourite of the World's strongest-ever chess player, Garry Kasparov. The Grunfeld very much relies on the principles of the hypermodern school of chess: Black allows White to erect an impressive-looking centre on the assumption that in the long run it could prove to be more of a liability than an asset. Play often becomes very complex and tactical, one of the reasons the Grunfeld appeals to ambitious players. In Play the Grunfeld, however, opening expert Yelena Dembo circumvents this problem by producing a comprehensive and yet workable repertoire for Black, offering a solution against each of White's tries, whether it's a critical main line or a tricky sideline. After reading this book, you will have the required knowledge and confidence to begin playing the Grunfeld in your own games. The Kan is an ideal choice as an opening weapon against 1 e4, as it one of the easiest variations of the Sicilian to learn and play.The Kan is relatively theory free in the traditional sense, and success is more likely to occur through the understanding of development systems and a deep study of the tactical and positional ideas for both sides. In this book Johan Hellsten draws upon his vast experience in the Sicilian Kan, revealing his secrets and showing how Black can adopt this opening and play it with confidence. He provides the reader with a dependable repertoire, demonstrating what to do in the main lines as well as how to deal with White's tricky alternatives.
£16.99
Everyman Chess Counterattacking Systems Versus 1 e4 and 1d4
Book SynopsisTwo great books from the Everyman Chess Library, Play The Accelerated Dragon by Peter Lalic and Play the Benko Gambit by Nicolai Pedersen , brought together in one volume. The Accelerated Dragon remains one of Black's most popular choices in the Sicilian, and the attractions are obvious. Black's opening strategy is easy to understand, and his pieces are quickly developed on active squares. Furthermore, White players hoping to attack in the same way as against the traditional Dragon will be shocked by the Accelerated Dragon's greater flexibility and possibilities for a swift counterattack. In this book, Peter Lalić presents a repertoire for Black based on this line. He outlines a reliable system of development with the aim of choosing clear, consistent plans. Firstly, he demonstrates why the Accelerated Dragon exponent need not fear the Yugoslav Attack. Secondly, if White chooses instead the positional Maroczy Bind approach he emphasizes that positional understanding is far more important than memorization of move sequences. The Benko Gambit is undoubtedly one of Black's most dynamic openings. In return for his pawn investment Black gains long-term pressure, which is often so powerful it continues right through into the endgame. White must decide whether to grab the pawn and try to hold on, or to choose a more aggressive approach. Either way, Black generally succeeds in his aim of unbalancing the position from a very early stage. In this book, Nicolai V. Pedersen presents a concise and practical repertoire for Black within the Benko Gambit. Using illustrative games, he examines the critical main lines of the gambit, the tricky sidelines and also explains how to meet the various options White has of avoiding the Benko.
£16.19
Everyman Chess Opening Repertoire: 1 d4 with 2 c4
Book SynopsisThese days the move 1 d4 is often used as the precursor to quieter opening choices such as the London System, the Colle System or the Trompovsky. In this book the highly experienced chess author and coach Cyrus Lakdawala goes back to basics, outlining an aggressive repertoire for White based on 1 d4, following up with the traditional 2 c4. The emphasis of the repertoire is to gain space as quickly as possible and set Black the task of finding quick counterplay or face the risk of being overrun. Lakdawala recommends lines with f2-f3 against the Nimzo-Indian, the Petrosian System against the King’s Indian and the Flick Knife (f4 with Bb5+) against the Benoni. With thorough explanations on pawn structures and piece placement, this book provides insight to both strong masters and less experienced players alike. The format is ideal for the chessplayer keen to improve their game. While reading you are continually challenged to answer probing questions – a method that greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of chess knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. * Presents a powerful, aggressive repertoire starting at move one. * Thorough explanations of typical pawn structures and piece manoeuvres. * Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study.
£16.99
Everyman Chess The French Defence: Move by Move
Book SynopsisThe French Defence is a classical opening that has featured in the repertoire of many elite grandmasters. Black generally concedes a slight spacial disadvantage early but in return gains a sound structure and middlegame opportunities to undermine the white centre. A close study of the French Defence can be very rewarding for all players as the structures and themes that arise are found in numerous other openings. In this book grandmaster Damian Lemos guides the reader through the complexities of this dynamic opening and explores all the important variations. This 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. * Essential guidance and training in the French Defence * Analyses all key variations * Utilizes an ideal Q+A approach to chess study
£16.99
Everyman Chess Opening Repertoire: The Grünfeld Defence
Book SynopsisThe Grünfeld Defence is is a combative reply to 1 d4 which has been favoured by many world champions including those two legends of the game, Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. It is an opening in the hypermodern style, in that Black generally allows White to build a strong centre early on in the expectation of being able to undermine it in the middlegame play. Opening Repetoire: The Grünfeld Defence book cuts through the dense theory that surrounds this opening and establishes a straightforward repertoire is based around consistent strategies and concepts. It has all the information necessary to enable the reader to begin playing the Grünfeld with confidence. There are also “Grünfeld-type” suggestions to counter White systems based on the English and Réti openings. In Opening Repertoire: The Grünfeld Defence, Nigel Davies guides the reader through the complexities of the Grünfeld and carves out a repertoire for Black. He examines all aspects of this highly complex opening and provides the reader with well-researched, fresh, and innovative analysis. Each annotated game has valuable lessons on how to play the opening and contains instructive commentary on typical middlegame plans. * A complete repertoire for Black against 1 d4. * A question and answer approach provides an excellent study method.
£16.19
Batsford Ltd What It Takes to Become a Chess Master: chess
Book SynopsisSo you're a fairly decent chess player. You compete in tournaments, you play on the Internet. But you would love to make that leap to become a chess master. What do you need to know, how much do you have to practise, and how much of the success of the masters is simply a matter of innate talent, superior brainpower or just good luck? This useful book, aimed at all chess players who aspire to become chess masters, shows you what the masters know and you don't. Written by one of our biggest-selling and best-loved chess authors, in his trademark chatty, accessible but always informative style, this book is filled with practical exercises and test games that will reveal the secrets of how to join chess's elite ranks.
£15.29
Batsford Reveal Your Chess Style
Book SynopsisUse this unique book to identify your own individual chess-playing style, then discover a wealth of tips and tricks to avoid pitfalls, improve strengths and become the best player you can be.
£17.09
Everyman Chess Analyse Your Chess
Book SynopsisLeading chess author Colin Crouch believes that the key to sustained chess improvement lies in the critical analysis and assessment of your own games. Each and every game you play provides a significant learning opportunity, and this opportunity should never be squandered. In this sequel to his acclaimed Why We Lose at Chess, Crouch examines what we should do to maximize our chess results and ratings, how to turn losses into draws, and draws into wins. Here he focuses on key issues such as improving decision making, how to plan after the opening, how to maintain objectivity, improving endgame skills, the psychological aspects of the game, and much more. Read this book, analyse your chess, and get ready to improve your results! *An indispensible guide to chess improvement *Key advice on planning, strategy and tactics *Covers opening, middlegame and endgame play
£14.39
Gambit Publications Ltd Chess Strategy for Kids
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£13.29
Gambit Publications Ltd Chess Opening Workbook for Kids
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£13.29
Tuttle Publishing Japanese Chess: The Game of Shogi
Book SynopsisLearn and master the fascinating game of Japanese Chess or "Shogi" with this expert guide and chess set.Japanese Chess: The Game of Shogi is the ultimate strategy guidebook for players of any skill level to improve their game and winning strategies. Played by millions around the world, Shogi is the uniquely Japanese variant of chess. It is the only version in which an opponent's captured piece can be dropped back onto the board as one's own. This makes for extremely exciting, dynamic gameplay in which momentum can quickly shift back and forth between players. Trevor Legett, expert player and longtime resident of Japan, gives you all the information you need to play the game, form its basic rules to winning tactics.Also included in this book are: Sample game and commentary Discussion of various opening strategies and game positions Explanation of how to read a Japanese score Fold-out Shogi board Sturdy paper playing pieces Japanese Chess features everything you need to get started playing this challenging and fun game!Trade Review"Invaluable as a guide for beginners and as a review for seasoned players." --The Oriental Economist
£15.29
New In Chess Winning Ugly in Chess: Playing Badly is No Excuse
Book SynopsisWhen was the last time you won a perfect game? A game that was not tainted by inferior moves? Every chess player knows that smooth wins are the exception, that play is often chaotic and positions are frequently irrational. The road to victory is generally full of bumps and misadventures. Welcome to the world of imperfection! Chess books usually feature superbly played games. In this book you will see games where weird moves are rewarded. Cyrus Lakdawala knows that playing good chess is all very well, but that beating your opponent is better. He demonstrates the fine art of winning undeserved victories by: miraculously surviving chaos; throwing vile cheapos; refusing to resign in lost positions; getting lucky breaks; provoking unforced errors, and other ways to land on your feet after a roller-coaster ride. Lakdawala shows how you can make sure that it is your opponent, not you, who makes the last blunder. If youd rather win a bad game than lose a good one, then this your ideal guide. The next time the wrong player wins, you will be that player!
£18.89
Thinkers Publishing The Thinkers Game
Book SynopsisThis book is written for beginners who are interested in the game andwould like to learn more about its various aspects.It covers the technicalaspects of chess: the use of algebraic notation (Chapter 3), chess evaluation(Chapter 4), the opening phase (Chapter 5), the middle game (Chapter 6),the endgame (Chapter 7), and the chess rating system (Chapter 8). It introducesa number of chess problems, formulated with a chess board and chesspieces and presupposing a working knowledge of chess (Chapter 9).It offersan account of variants of chess such as Fischer random chess (Chapter 10). It also covers the cultural aspects of chess: its history (Chapter 2) and statusas an immortal game that might enable it to play a role in the search forextraterrestrial intelligence (Chapter 11). Wherever possible, chess diagramsare provided to help chess beginners make sense of certain points about chess. Algebraic notation will also guide them in understanding certain chess-basedlines of reasoning.Whenever you are ready, let us begin this odyssey ofchess!
£25.19
Quality Chess UK LLP Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 1
Book SynopsisCoffeehouse Repertoire is a 1.e4 chess player?s dream: an arsenal of ideas from a world-class grandmaster to surprise and confound your opponents, combining coffeehouse trickery with complete theoretical soundness. In Volume 1, GM Gawain Jones shows how to put pressure on the Sicilian, Caro-Kann, Scandinavian and Alekhine?s Defences, using lines which feature a potent combination of surprise value, objective soundness and practical effectiveness.
£21.24
Edition Olms Chess is My Life
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£17.99
New In Chess How to Become a Candidate Master: A Practical
Book SynopsisSurprise yourself and reach higher! This book is based on real amateur games and shows you how an average club player can proceed through the ranks and reach Candidate Master level. Its a hard struggle, nothing comes for free and your path will be strewn with setbacks and disappointments. Just like in real life. Alex Dunne guides you in the more than 50 games that you will be playing and offers lots of practical, straightforward and effective advice. Slowly but surely, you will improve in all phases of the game: the opening, the middlegame and the endgame. Dunne explains when and how to activate your pieces and how to recognize and punish the errors your opponents are bound to make. At the end of the book, having absorbed these lessons, your experience, technique and confidence will have improved in such a way that your first win against a master will not come as a big surprise.
£17.95
Continental Sales My First Chess Opening Repertoire for Black and
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£15.96
Chronicle Books House of Novelties Chess
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£16.20
Gambit Publications Ltd Understanding Chess Middlegames
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£17.99
Gambit Publications Ltd Applying Logic in Chess
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£19.35
Quality Chess UK LLP Reimagining 1.e4
Book SynopsisEvery chess player faces an opening dilemma: big main lines are complicated and time-consuming to learn, while easy-to-learn sidelines usually suffer from other defects. Finding the best of both worlds has been an impossible dream until now!Reimagining 1.e4 offers the Holy Grail of a simple, easy-to-learn White repertoire, which packs a punch against all of Black's main defences. In some lines, White unleashes a surprise as early as move 3. In others, White follows the known paths for a little longer, but only when there are big rewards to justify a modest effort.
£25.08
Quality Chess UK LLP Questions of Modern Chess Theory: A Soviet
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£14.39
Zeitgeist Winning Chess Exercises for Kids
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£12.34
Quality Chess UK LLP Karpov's Strategic Wins 1: The Making of a
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£17.84
New In Chess Winning Quickly with 1.b3 and 1...b6: Odesskys
Book SynopsisI left chess in 2012. I did not touch it for several years. Then I decided to test my strength in Internet blitz. I started from scratch. The board floated before my eyes, and my knee twitched. Less than two months later, I crossed the grandmaster rating mark. My opponents, among them lots of players with a big name, played chess better than me. Surprisingly though, I knew more. On a small island of chess theory, onto which I lured them, I was better equipped. Much better! About 30% of the games ended in wins around the 20th move. A quarter of the games simply ended in mate. In all games, I opened with the moves 1.b3 and 1b6. International Master Ilya Odessky is the worlds leading expert on the 1.b3 and 1b6 chess opening systems. Despite their apparent calm, these openings can get extremely sharp. Now Odessky presents his findings and achievements of recent years. His baffling traps will help you crush your opponents in the opening, with both White and Black. Odessky admits that some of his lines may objectively be somewhat dubious. But in blitz and rapid games they will lead to spectacular play and many surprising wins. Ilya Odessky will entertain, amuse and surprise you in this highly unusual chess opening book full of ultra-romantic chess.
£21.21
Continental Sales The Tricky Tromp
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£20.85
New In Chess The 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know Workbook
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£18.86
Quality Chess Key Elements of Chess Tactics
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£21.24
Quality Chess UK LLP Python Strategy
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£999.99
Continental Sales Strategic Play with 1 E4
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£20.85
Quality Chess UK LLP Grandmaster Repertoire 15 - The French Defence
Book SynopsisThe French Defence is one of the most popular and reliable responses to 1.e4. Grandmaster Repertoire 15 The French Defence 2 covers the most critical variation of the Winawer, which occurs after the opening moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4. This volume presents three contrasting ways of meeting White''s aggressive opening system: 7cxd4 leading to the notorious Winawer Poisoned Pawn; 700 8.Bd3 f5, a solid yet strategically complex system; and 700 8.Bd3 Nbc6, which leads to a tense, full-blooded battle.Volume One of the series covers White''s other options in the Winawer Variation. Volume Three will deal with the Tarrasch, Advance and all of White''s other options.
£17.99
Quality Chess UK LLP Decision Making in Major Piece Endings
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£17.99
New in Chess Trompowsky Attack & London System: New Ideas,
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£22.91
Gambit Publications Ltd A Complete Chess Course
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£12.82
Quality Chess UK LLP Playing 1.d4 d5: A Classical Repertoire
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£17.99
Quality Chess UK LLP Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2
Book SynopsisGM Gawain Jones and GM Jacob Aagaard on Thinking Aloud in Killer Chess Training Coffeehouse Repertoire is a 1.e4 player''s dream: an arsenal of ideas from a world-class grandmaster to surprise and confound your opponents, combining coffeehouse trickery with complete theoretical soundness.In Volume 2, GM Gawain Jones shows how to fight for an advantage against 1e5, plus the French, Pirc, Modern, Philidor and other miscellaneous Defences, using lines which feature a potent combination of surprise value, objective soundness and practical effectiveness. Volume 1 completes the Coffeehouse 1.e4 Repertoire, and covered the Sicilian, Caro-Kann, Scandinavian and Alekhine''s Defences.
£22.49
Quality Chess UK LLP Grandmaster Opening Preparation
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£18.89
Quality Chess UK LLP Playing the Trompowsky: An Attacking Repertoire
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£17.99
New in Chess The Most Exciting Chess Games Ever: The Experts'
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£20.66
New in Chess The How to Study Chess on Your Own Workbook:
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£19.46
Quality Chess 1000 Chess Problems
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£21.24
New in Chess The Greatest Attacker in Chess: The Enigmatic
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£22.91
Quality Chess TurboCharge your Tactics 2
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£25.08
The Crowood Press Ltd Chess Openings
Book SynopsisChess Openings explains the principles which underlie correct opening play and shows how they can be developed to produce strong positions from attack and defence in different situations. Mike Basman consolidates these lessons by investigating five classic openings -the Queen''s Gambit, Giuoco Piano, Nimzo Indian, Morra Gambit and Sicilian Dragon - which together can be used to form the basis of a formidable opening repertoire.
£12.50
Taylor & Francis Ltd The Psychology of Chess
Book SynopsisDo you need to be a genius to be good at chess? What does it take to become a Grandmaster? Can computer programmes beat human intuition in gameplay?The Psychology of Chess is an insightful overview of the roles of intelligence, expertise, and human intuition in playing this complex and ancient game. The book explores the idea of practice makes perfect', alongside accounts of why men perform better than women in international rankings, and why chess has become synonymous with extreme intelligence as well as madness.When artificial intelligence researchers are increasingly studying chess to develop machine learning, The Psychology of Chess shows us how much it has already taught us about the human mind.Table of Contents1. Opening 2. The eye of the master 3. Chunks! 4. The best move 5. Practice makes (almost) perfect 6. Men vs. women 7. Style and intuition 8. Errare humanum est 9. Psychological warfare and training techniques 10. The magic bullet? 11. Costs of playing chess 12. Endgame
£15.58
Union Square & Co. Puzzlewright Guide to Chess
Book SynopsisYou don't have to be a genius to enjoy chess. The practical instruction provided here can help anyone progress from first-timer or novice to capable intermediate player in no time at all, while instilling an understanding of the game's fundamentals, and providing a strong foundation for future advancement. The game's history, the basic moves for each piece, and strategies for openings, middle game, and endgame positions are all covered, and you can measure your progress with the exercises that follow each section. Checkmating tips are included, as is advice for salvaging a draw when you have a weakened position. Unlike many other chess books, the lessons included here are designed for real-world play, using positions that newer players are more likely to encounter. Also featured is a foreword by renowned chessmaster, teacher, and columnist Bruce Pandolfini, who was the instructor played by Ben Kingsley in the filmSearching for Bobby Fischerand the chess consultant for the miniseriesThe
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Rebel Queen
Book SynopsisA real life Queen's Gambit, this captivating memoir tells the story of one of the most renowned women in chess history, Susan Polgar, taking on a sexist establishment, standing up to an authoritarian empire and rewriting the rules of what women could achieve against the oppressive backdrop of Cold War Eastern Europe.
£22.50
