|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Everyman Chess - Openings - B00-B99
|
|
 
|
Starting Out: The c3 Sicilian (Paperback)
by John Emms
Publication Date: August 2008
Editorial Review :
The c3 Sicilian is a logical and sensible way of meeting Black's most popular defence to 1 e4. With his second move White sets about constructing a strong pawn centre and cleverly sidesteps the labyrinth of opening theory associated with open Sicilians. Positions that are reached can be either tactical or positional in nature, and the c3 Sicilian particularly appeals to players who enjoy open positions with active piece play and clear objectives for both sides.
In this book, c3 Sicilian expert John Emms goes back to basics: he explains in depth the reasoning behind the critical early moves - something that is often neglected - and uses instructive games to demonstrate key plans for both White and Black.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Out: The Modern
by Nigel Davies
Publication Date: July 2008
Editorial Review :
The Modern Defence is a dynamic, ambitious and universal opening, one that can be used against virtually every system White can play. Black's provocative strategy is based upon allowing White to construct an imposing pawn centre in the anticipation that a well-timed strike will bring about its downfall. Both sides can play for high rewards, albeit at some risk: White can hope to succeed with a direct attack or to squash Black with a space advantage, while Black will aim to destroy White's centre and mop up the remains. All in all this can lead to intriguing battles in which one slip from either side is often fatal. In this book, Nigel Davies studies the Modern by going back to basics, introducing the key moves and ideas, and taking care to explain the reasoning behind them - something that has often been neglected or taken for granted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Play the Caro-Kann: A Complete Chess Opening Repertoire Against 1e4
by Jovanka Houska
Publication Date: April 2007
Editorial Review:
The Caro-Kann is a reliable yet at the same time dynamic answer to White’s most popular opening move, 1 e4. It has the seal of approval of numerous leading Grandmasters including Vishy Anand, Evgeny Bareev and Alexey Dreev, as well as former World Champion Anatoly Karpov, who has utilized it with great success throughout his illustrious career. One of the attractions of the Caro-Kann is that it suits a variety of different styles; it can lead to wild tactical battles as well as quiet, positional play.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Pirc
by James Vigus
Publication Date: March 2007
Editorial Review:
The Pirc is an ambitious counter-attacking response to White’s most popular opening move, 1 e4. Black’s philosophy is based around allowing White to build a large and impressive-looking pawn centre, only to plot its downfall by attacking it with pieces or timely pawn strikes. When it works, the results can be spectacular, but of course this method of play carries with it some danger; if Black is not careful he runs the risk of simply being swamped in the centre. Such a provocative approach has found favour with a line of uncompromising Grandmasters including former Soviet Champion Alexander Beliavsky and Mikhail Gurevich.
In this book James Vigus provides an up-to-date appraisal of the Pirc and its many variations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Out: Sicilian Scheveningen
by Craig Pritchett
Publication Date: September 2006
Editorial Review:
The Scheveningen is an uncompromising and flexible variation of Black's most popular defence to 1 e4, the Sicilian. It's a firm favourite of the world's greatest ever chess player, Garry Kasparov, who used it many times in crucial games, including his world championship matches against Anatoly Karpov and Vishy Anand. His success rate against Karpov was so good that the former world champion was forced to abandon his normal first move to avoid it! Black's play in the Scheveningen is based around a solid and resilient pawn structure, a well-defended king and guaranteed counterplay against every white set-up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Out: Sicilian Najdorf
by Richard Palliser
Publication Date: May 2006
Editorial Review:
The Sicilian Najdorf is one of Black's sharpest and most popular lines against 1 e4. From the very start Black directs the game into asymmetrical positions in which he or she can play for the win without unjustified risk. For this reason the Najdorf has been a firm favourite amongst the very elite of world chess, including Garry Kasparov and, before him, Bobby Fischer. What attracts such world-class players to the Najdorf is the fact that it is tremendously dynamic and yet both sound and respectable at the same time. Despite numerous attempts, no one has found a sure-fire way for White to gain the advantage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bb5 Sicilian: Detailed coverage of a thoroughly modern system
by Richard Palliser
Publication Date: October 2005
Editorial Review:
The Bb5 Sicilian is a logical and practical weapon against Black's most popular defence to 1 e4 and is an excellent choice for White players who are fed up of constantly trying to keep abreast of the latest developments in the Open Sicilian. The early bishop move signals White intention to develop rapidly and it can lead to both wild gambit play and calmer positional waters. Significantly, this opening weapon has the seal of approval from many of today's elite Grandmasters, including Vishy Anand, Mickey Adams and Peter Leko, while Garry Kasparov utilised it successfully in his famous Internet game versus 'the rest of the world'.
Now, for the first time in many years, Richard Palliser provides a comprehensive study of the Bb5 Sicilian and its many variations. Using illustrative games, he examines both the crucial main lines and the more unusual tries for White and Black, highlighting tactical and positional ideas as well as move order nuances. A study of this book will allow the reader to play both sides of this opening with confidence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Out: The Sicilian Dragon
by Andrew Martin
Publication Date: October 2005
Editorial Review:
Few would disagree that the Sicilian Dragon is one of the most exciting, high profile and controversial openings in chess history. Right from the very beginning of the game Black chooses to unbalance the position, thus maximising his or her chances of playing for a win. The positions reached are dynamic and of a highly tactical nature, with both players very often going straight for each other's throats in search of a quick-fire knockout blow. In these razor-sharp encounters, it goes without saying that one slip by either side can prove to be fatal. Because of its aggressive nature, the Sicilian Dragon is very popular at all levels of chess, while it received an ultimate seal of approval when Garry Kasparov used it as his main weapon to beat Vishy Anand in a World Championship match.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Play 1...b6!: A dynamic and hypermodern opening system for Black
by Christian Bauer
Publication Date: October 2005
Editorial Review:
Fed up with getting difficult positions with the black pieces? Tired of always having to keep up with all the latest developments. Take a break from the mountains of opening theory and play 1...b6! With the move, preparing a bishop fianchetto, Black immediately directs the game into relatively uncharted territory, one where White players are not able to sit back and rely on their 'opening book' knowledge.
The real beauty of 1...b6 is that it can be played against virtually every single first move by White, so it is a perfect choice for Black players with neither the time nor inclination to memorise a multitude of different defences. Despite being relatively unexplored, 1...b6 has been the weapon of some dynamic and uncompromising world-class players, including Britain's first Grandmaster, the late Tony Miles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 
|
Starting Out: Alekine's Defence
By John Cox
January 1, 2005
Editorial Review:
Alekhine's Defence is a sharp and controversial opening in which Black attacks from the very first move, provoking White into lunging forward in the center. White is often able to construct an impressively large central pawn formation, but Black's hope is that this becomes over-stretched and disintegrates in the face of a vicious counterattack.
In this easy-to-read guide, openings expert John Cox goes back to basics, studying the essential principles of Alekhine's Defence and its numerous variations. Throughout the book there are an abundance of notes, tips and warnings to guide the improving player, while key strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Scandinavian, 2nd
by John Emms
Publication Date: December 2004
Editorial Review:
In recent years the Scandinavian Defence (1 e4 d5) has become increasingly popular both at club and grandmaster level. Indeed, it was even used by Viswanathan Anand in his World Championship match against Garry Kasparov! In this book for club and tournament players Grandmaster John Emms explains the strategy and tactics of this dynamic and fashionable opening. Through the use of model games for both sides, the author provides a thorough grounding in the key ideas, so that players can quickly and confidently start to use the Scandinavian in their own games.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Out: The Caro-Kann
by Joe Gallagher
Publication Date: September 2002
Editorial Review:
The Caro-Kann Defence has a well-deserved and established reputation as an incredibly solid and, at the same time, dynamic defence to 1 e4. The Caro-Kann appeals to all types of players, but is especially useful to black players who prefer a sound platform on which to build and who are resourceful in both defence and counter-attack. Star players who enjoy using the Caro-Kann include Vishy Anand, Michael Adams and the legendary Anatoly Karpov. In this easy-to-read guide, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to the basics of the Caro-Kann, studying the key principles of its many variations. Throughout the book there is an abundance of notes, tips, warnings and exercises to help the improving player, while important strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Play the Najdorf: Scheveningen Style
by John Emms
Publication Date: June 2003
Editorial Review:
The Najdorf Sicilian is one of the most sharp, dynamic and popular openings that Black can play and is a firm favourite amongst the world's elite players, including world number one Garry Kasparov. From very early on, Black unbalances the game to a reach a position in which one can play for the win without exceptional risk.
The soundness of the Najdorf has never been questioned, but some players can be put off by the ever-spiralling amount of theory amassed on this great opening. In Play the Najdorf, however, Grandmaster and openings expert John Emms condenses this mountain to produce a workable black repertoire against all of White's possible options.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sicilian Kan
by John Emms
Publication Date: September 2002
Editorial Review:
The Sicilian Kan is one of the most flexible and easy to play variations of the entire Sicilian complex. In contrast to opening monsters such as the infamous Dragon and Najdorf Variations, Black players are not forced to memorise massive chunks of opening theory. Success in the Sicilian Kan is more dependent on uunderstanding certain principles and a system of development. Another point in its favour is that even more experienced white players are flummoxed by Black's elastic approach. Recently the Kan has received a seal of approval, with both Kasparov and Kramnik employing it in the last couple of years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chess Books 
