This repertoire book offers some ideas for Black to play against unusual and not-so-unusual first moves. Against the English 1.c4, Palliser recommends the symmetrical 1..c5; whilst against 1.Nf3, he gives the alternatives 1..c5; 1..d5; and 1..Nf6. Other openings surveyed include the Bird (1.f4), the Nimzo-Larsen (1.b3), the Sokolsky (1.b4), 1.Nc3, 1.g3, & 1.g4. Move orders are discussed and sometimes more than one Black option is included to suit players of differing styles and repertoires. The title of the book is perhaps slightly misleading as about half of it is taken up with the Symmetrical English and a quarter with 1.Nf3, neither of which are paticularly rare. "Unusual" has been taken to mean "not 1.e4 or 1.d4" so maybe "Beating the Flank Openings" would have been closer to the mark. As usual the material is well researched and organised by I.M. Richard Palliser who is quickly gaining a reputation as a diligent chess writer. Pub. 2007, softback, 223 pages.
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350 games in the Dunst Opening arranged according to variation. No annotations but includes an index of players and variations. Pub. 1995, softback, 106 pages.
An extensive analysis of the Van Geet Opening 1.Nc3 with analysis and explanation of all major variations via 99 thoroughly annotated games. The author avoids recommending moves which transpose into well known openings and concentrates instead on lines of play with independent significance, including several off-beat lines against semi-open defences like the Alekhine, French and Caro-Kann. Chapters: I. 1.Nc3, e5; II. The Van Geet Attack: 1.Nc3,d5; 2.e4,d4; 3.Nce2, III. 1.Nc3,d5; 2.e4,dxe4; 3.Nxe4, IV. The False Semi Open Games (1.Nc3,d5; 2.e4,c6/e6/Nf6; V. Against the Sicilian 1.Nc3,c5; VI. Alternative Systems, VII. Various Defences. FM Harald Keilhack explains the basic structures of the opening which supply huge scope for creativity. There is also a broad discussion of move order subtleties and transposition issues. Playing 1.Nc3 is an excellent way to get off the beaten path of opening theory. Pub. 2005, hardback, 383 pages.
A languageless review of the theory of this unusual opening beginning 1.b4. The author considers all Black's responses in 34 chapters. Pub. 1989, softback, 90 pages.
The Orang-Utan is an ever popular opening amongst club and tournament players and this new booklet gives an overview of current theory. It has a languageless format with analysis of all Black's defences plus 20 study games. Stapled binding. Pub. 2003, softback, stapled, 59 pages.
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack is a rarely played opening system which leads to complex and original positions favouring the more creative player. This is an examination in three parts of this system which begins with 1.b3 or 1.Nf3, 2.b3. Coverage is via 69 annotated games which illustrate the key lines of play. Part one covers 1.b3,e5; which can be considered the main line. Part two examines the reversed Nimzo-Indian, 1.Nf3, d5; 2.b3 whilst part three investigates 1..c5; 1..g6; and other such defences. A well researched book judging from the large, quoted bibliography and the authors refreshingly do not attempt to claim that White is winning in all variations! Pub. 2001, softback, 192 pages.
I.M. Timothy Taylor has been playing the Bird's Opening (1.f4) throughout his chess career and thinks it's about time more players took up the opening which is, after all, a Dutch Defence with an extra tempo. In this book he explains the ideas behind the Bird's and shows how best to play against Black's main defensive setups. In three sections he analyses Reversed Dutch Systems, From's Gambit and Sicilian and Unusual Defences. Coverage is by means of 53 extensively annotated games organised into eleven chapters. Taylor offers his own recommendations on strategy and move order throughout, based on his own practical experience with the opening. He examines both the Classical Bird (f4,e3,Nf3,Be2) and the fianchetto Bird with b3 for White, giving enough material to enable the reader to make the choice of which system to play. I.M. Timothy Taylor is author of How to Defeat the Smith Morra Gambit and directed the film Wicked Pursuits. Pub. 2005, softback, 224 pages.
The Bird is a popular opening amongst club and tournament players and this new booklet gives an overview of current theory. It has a languageless format with 6 chapters of analysis of Black's alternative defences to 1..d5 plus 10 study games. Stapled binding. Pub. 2003, softback, stapled, 39 pages.
The Bird is a popular opening amongst club and tournament players and this booklet gives an overview of current theory in the main line 1.f4,d5.. It has a languageless format with 3 chapters of analysis plus 10 study games. Stapled binding. Pub. 2003, softback, stapled, 50 pages.
Analysis and games in the obscure gambit 1.f4,d5; 2.e4!? named after the 19th century player Elijah Williams. The author examines only the gambit accepted (2..dxe4) and presents his material in MCO style tables of variations with notes. There are 15 example games with brief annnotations. Pub. 1997, softback, 64 pages.
