1.b4 allows the first player to take the game into relatively unkown territory, where creativity counts for more than memory, and forces Black players onto their own devices. In this book, Yury Lapshun and Nick Conticello take an in-depth look at 1 b4 with analysis and 84 complete, annotated games. The authors provide a practical and fun-to-play repertoire for White, offering options against all of Black's main possibilities, including the major defences with ..e5; and ..d5; as well as Queen's Indian, Dutch and more unorthodox systems for Black. Yuri Lapshun is an International Master, originally from the Ukraine. Co-author Nick Conticello is a US Master, journalist and chess organiser.
Pub. 2008, softback, 173 pages.

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Is it possible to develop chess intuition? Do rules for dynamic attacking play exist? Author Jacob Aagaard believes that it is possible to develop a flair for attacking play based on intuitive ideas which will be relevant to every game played. In volume one he introduces seven important attacking concepts such as momentum, colour schemes and weak points. Each chapter begins with a "diagram introduction" to introduce the reader to some key positions from the ofrthcoming chapter. The relevant idea is then explained with lively text and diagrammed examples. Chapter 8 is a deep analysis of 12 of the author's favourite attacking games (these are probably games you haven't seen before) whilst chapter 9 contains 50 diagrammed test positions together with solutions. This is not a book for beginners, being aimed at ELO 1700-2500 (ECF 140-240) rated players, for whom a thorough study of the ideas and examples here will benefit their attacking play. Jacob Aagaard is a leading author and has written several highly recommended coaching books. He became a Grandmaster and won the British Chess Championship in 2007.
Pub. 2008, softback, 260 pages.

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Practical Endgame Play is a comprehensive guide to all fundamental chess endings, and an ideal manual for those looking to improve their endgame play. The five sections of the book explain pawn endings, rook endings, minor piece endings, rook and minor piece endings and queen endings with diagrammed examples used to illustrate each key idea. The emphasis is just as much on practical play as it is on theoretical understanding. Whenever an idea is introduced, Grandmaster Efstratios Grivas immediately illustrates it with instructive diagrammed examples, a considerable number of which are drawn from his own over-the-board experiences.

This is a companion volume to Practical Endgame Play - Beyond the Basics, a work which specializes in more complex positions.Go to Practical Endgame Play - Beyond the Basics

Efstratios Grivas is an experienced Grandmaster from Greece who has represented his country on many occasions, winning an individual gold medal at the 1989 European Team Championship and an individual silver medal at the 1998 Chess Olympiad. He's a Senior FIDE Trainer, a federal trainer for the Greek and Turkish Chess Federations, and also a highly regarded writer with many books and articles to his name.
Pub. 2008, softback, 320 pages.

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Jon Speelman is one of the most successful British chess-players of all time, and is renowned for the creativity of his play and his remarkable calculating ability. He is also an extremely experienced writer and chess coach. His personal selection of over 300 chess puzzles are mainly taken from real game positions and are of varying difficulty. The two main parts of the book are The Elements and Tacics in Practice.

Themed sections include: * Finger Exercises * Stalemate * The Skewer * The Pin * Pawn Promotion * Line Opening and Closing * Loose Pieces * Mating Attacks * The Back Rank * Knight Forks.

Grandmaster Jon Speelman is a world-championship candidates semi-finalist, and has been one of the mainstays of the England team for a quarter of a century, including the period during which the team won silver medals three times at chess Olympiads. He is an extremely respected writer, especially noted for his ground-breaking work on endgame topics.
Pub. 2008, softback, 143 pages.

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Rook and pawn endings are the most commonly occurring type of ending and so some practical knowledge of them is useful for players at all levels. This re-issue of John Emms guide, originally published in 1999, concentrates on typical examples of rook endings taken from real game examples. The book is divided into four parts; Basic Rook Endings (Rook v pawn, rook & pawn v rook), Rook and Pawn Endings (pawns on one side of the board), Rook and Pawn Endings (pawns on both sides of the board) and Double Rook Endings. The author explains the key ideas, knowledge of which will save you valuable time in match play, and finishes each section with test positions to check your progress. John Emms is an English Grandmaster and an experienced author and chess coach.
Pub. 2008 (orig. 1999), softback, 160 pages.

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The second edition of this book, originally published in 1995, has 65 extra pages worth of material, including a new chapter on chess aesthetics. In fact the whole book is dedicated to the aesthetic side of the game with the authors identifying the motifs of paradox, depth, geometry and flow which, in their opinion, are present in the most beautiful examples of chess artistry. By using dozens of examples from practical play, composed studies and problems, the authors show just how beautiful and paradoxical chess can be. The result is a book which has artistic, educational and practical value. Above all it contains some fabulous chess which can be enjoyed by readers of all playing strengths. Jonathan Levitt is an experienced Grandmaster whilst David Friedgood is an International Master of Chess Solving.
Pub. 2008, softback, 287 pages.

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The Accelerated Dragon (1.e4,c5; 2.Nf3,Nc6; 3.d4,cxd4; 4.Nxd4,g6;) leads to unbalanced positions in which both sides can hope to play for a win. In this book I.M. Andrew Greet explains the strategy, tactics and theory of the Accelerated Dragon, elaborating on the crucial early moves and ideas for both sides in a way that is often neglected in other books. As with all the Starting Out series the reader is helped throughout with a plethora of notes, tips and warnings highlighting the vital characteristics of the Accelerated Dragon. As usual the balance of analysis and explanation makes the book very readable. There are chapters on the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon, 5.Nc3 systems (including the Yugoslav Accelerated Dragon) and the various lines of the Maroczy Bind (5.c4). Andrew Greet is an English International Master whose previous book "Play the Ruy Lopez" was well received for it's comprehensiveness and depth of analysis.
Pub. 2008, softback, 320 pages.

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Making the right strategic decisions is one of the most difficult tasks at the chessboard. Tactical abilities and variation calculation can be improved by regularly solving combination tasks, endgame strength increased by learning the elementary positions. But how can one enhance one's strategic understanding and methodical play?

For the present video course "Strategy - Step by Step", Rustam has carefully selected games from his own practice which are dominated by positional and strategic considerations; clarifying, in extensive commentary, which thought processes the decisions of the grandmasters are based upon. He shows how the game plan is conceived already in the first moves of the opening and then - in the ideal case - purposefully continued step by step in the middlegame. Doing this, Kasimdzhanov not only explains what makes particular moves so strong, but also why other continuations are insufficient - in fascinating simplicity.

At the end of this entertaining and practically relevant course, you will be familiar with many positional elements e.g. open lines, strong and weak squares, pawn chains, isolated pawns, space advantage, pawn majorities, hanging pawns etc., making you ready to use them for your own play.Video running time: 3:54 min.

Rustam Kasimdzhanov was born in 1979 and is a grandmaster from Uzbekistan. In 2004 he shocked the chess world by winning the FIDE world chess championship title, beating a string of world-class players like Ivanchuk, Grischuk, Topalov and Adams in the process. Kasimdzhanov is a very deep player, who is able to explain chess ideas in an eloquent, lucid style, with a fine touch of humour. His lessons are both entertaining and instructive.
System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP/Vistas, DVD drive, soundcard, mouse. Published 2008.

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Chess Explained books provide an understanding of an opening and the middlegames to which it leads, enabling you to find the right moves and plans in your own games. It is as if you were sitting at the board with a chess coach answering your questions about the plans for both sides, the ideas behind particular moves, and what specific knowledge you need to have. In this book the authors show how to handle some of the main lines of the French, including the Winawer 7.Nf3 and 7.Qg4, the Tarrasch with 3..c5; and 3..Nf6; the Advance Variation, the Burn and Rubinstein Systems and the Classical System. Key strategies and tactics are illustrated with the help of 25 annotated games with both sides' possibilities being equally examined. An ideal introduction to the French for club players hoping to take up the opening. Viacheslav Eingorn is a Ukrainian Grandmaster and experienced author. Valentin Bogdanov has been a Ukranian chess coach for over thirty years.

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Chess Explained books provide an understanding of an opening and the middlegames to which it leads, enabling you to find the right moves and plans in your own games. It is as if you were sitting at the board with a chess coach answering your questions about the plans for both sides, the ideas behind particular moves, and what specific knowledge you need to have. In this book GM Vera explains how to play the Black pieces in the Nimzo-Indian. He provides a repertoire of ideas and specific variations against all White's main sets ups including the Capablanca System (4.Qc2), the Rubinstein System (4.e3), the Saemisch System (4.a3 or 4.f3), the Leningrad System (4.Bg5) and others. He uses recently played, annotated games to illustrate the key ideas the Nimzo-Indian with strategic motifs such as the blockade, the IQP and the bishop v knight struggle. Reinaldo Vera is a Grandmaster from Cuba and FIDE senior trainer.
Pub. 2008, softback, 111 pages.

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Dangerous Weapons 1.e4,e5; examines some little known and sharp systems for both players after 1.e4,e5. The authors have re-analysed some under-estimated lines in such diverse openings as the Centre Game, Ruy Lopez Exchange, Bird's Defence, Max Lange, Vienna Game, Scotch Opening, Four Knights and Italian Game. There are ideas for both Black and White which, combined with a lively style of presentation, makes for a highly entertaining and practical book. Tips, tricks and traps are highlighted throughout and anyone who opens with 1.e4 or defends with 1..e5; should find something of use in these pages. John Emms and Glenn Flear are English Grandmasters. Andrew Greet is an International Master also from England. All three are respected and successful authors of several chess titles.
Pub. 2008, softback, 335 pages.

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This book is a reprint, with corrections, of a book originally published in 2000.

Pawn endings are the most basic, yet often most complex, type of ending. This book presents a comprehensive course covering all types of variations in material and position. The first twelve chapters cover the basics of pawn endings such as the corresponding squares theory, specific tactics generated by passed pawns, the fight for tempi, stalemates, fortresses etc. Further chapters examine methods of thinking and more complex positions. There are test positions at the end of each chapter and a final chapter of exercises. An excellent book which will provide instruction and pleasure in equal measure.
pub. 2008, softback, 288 pages.

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Success in chess is often dependant on making the correct decision at pivotal moments in the game. For this, both accurate calculation and a feel for the position are necessary. In this book the authors present 90 test positions, each set at a key point during a Grandmaster game. You have a multiple choice question to answer in each case, selecting one continuation from amongst several plausible possibilities. Do you seek an active plan to profit from our strengths and highlight the opponent's weaknesses? Or do you adopt prophylaxis, attending to our own position's shortcomings and hindering the opponent's plans? Alternatively, are there any ready-made plans that you know from other games that can be tailored to fit your position? In detailed solutions, the authors explain the best solution, and why other possibilities are less convincing. You can develop a feel for how the decision is made, while painlessly building your 'repertoire' of plans in typical positions.

All the examples in this book arise from Queen's Pawn or Flank Openings, and are arranged by opening and level of difficulty. Many are drawn from games by virtuoso strategists such as Karpov and Petrosian. In all cases the complete game is given with annotations so the consequences of the critical decision can be seen.

Grandmaster Alfonso Romero comes from Spain and was runner-up in the 1984/5 European Junior Championship. He has represented his country in several Olympiads, winning an individual bronze medal at the 2002 event. Amador Gonzalez de la Nava is a FIDE Master. He is also from Spain, and is a chess teacher and writer.
Pub. 2008, softback, 207 pages.

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The Grand Prix Attack is 1.e4,c5; 2.Nc3,Nc6/d6/e6; 3.f4 and offers White attacking chances without having to enter the theoretical jungle which the Open Sicilian has become. White plans a kingside attack with moves such as f4-f5, Qe1-h4, Bc1-h6 and Nf3-g5. This is both direct and often difficult to meet as it is in keeping with the pawn structure. Alternatively White can choose to play Bb5 and Bxc6, hoping to double Black's pawns and play against his weakened queenside. In this book Grandmaster Gawain Jones shows how to play the key systems of the Grand Prix Attack including Black's defences with 2..Nc6; 2..d6; and 2..e6. He looks at lines for White with Bc4 and Bb5 considering both the plans outlined above and shows how both sides ought to approach the positions arising. He includes 36 complete, annotated games with a wealth of strategic and tactical hints and tricks highlighted. An ideal first book for any club or tournament player wishing to take up the Grand Prix Attack or needing a defence against it. Gawain Jones is a young Grandmaster who made his debut for England at the 2007 European Team Championships.
Pub. 2008, softback, 174 pages.

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The Dangerous Weapons series recommends little-analysed and sharp lines of play in the opening. Here the authors have selected some fun and dangerous systems for both White and Black in the Queen's Gambit. These include systems in the QGA, Slav, Tarrasch, and antidotes to the Vienna Gambit, Chigorin Defence and Albin Counter-Gambit. The book is written in entertaining style with plenty of diagrams and graphics as well as analysis and theoretical conclusions. All three authors are experienced and respected chess writers as well as being titled players.
Pub. 2007, softback, 239 pages.

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Joel Benjamin is one of the most prominent faces in the history of US chess. At thirteen years of age he broke Bobby Fischer's record as the youngest ever national master, and this was followed by countless tournament successes. Perhaps most famously, in 1997 he hit the headlines when he became the chess consultant for IBM's Deep Blue computer, which made history by beating World Champion Garry Kasparov in an epic encounter.

In American Grandmaster, Benjamin takes the reader on a journey through chess adventures spanning more than thirty years. Tracing through his own career, from being a prodigy in the 'Fischer boom' era thorough to an experienced Grandmaster with many titles, Benjamin is in a unique position to highlight the major changes that have occurred both in US and international chess throughout the last four decades.

This book includes:
*Instructive annotations of his favourite games
*Anecdotes and reflections from thirty years of US and worldwide chess events
*New perspectives on the legendary Kasparov-Deep Blue match
*Insights into how Grandmasters earn their living
*A deep look into the current major issues of chess
pub. 2007, softback, 268 pages.

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The Sveshnikov Variation of the Sicilian Defence is considered one of the most promising replies to 1.e4, often giving rise to sharp and complex positions which require precise and inventive play from both sides. Thus, an opening tailor-made for Alexei Shirov (FIDE World Cup finalist in 2007), who has included it into his repertoire with both White and Black and knows the mutual tricks and traps all too well. In more than four hours of video, the genius from Latvia presents and explains his best Sveshnikov games, from his first successes in 1992 until his latest achievements in the year 2007. The spectator is shown typical opening plans for both sides, receives explanations on strategy and tactics in the middlegame and learns how to convert obtained advantages in the endgame - and all this in a most entertaining way. A masterful course on one of the most popular opening of our times by one of the best players of our times. Video running time: 4 hours.

Alexei Shirov was born in Riga just like world champion Mikhail Tal, and also his playing style reminds many chess fans of the young Tal. In the beginning of the 90s, a comet-like rise brought the young Latvian to the world top within a short time. At 22 years old he already had an Elo rating of nearly 2750 and belonged to the absolute elite. Since then Shirov has been one of the best players in the world, delighting all chess fans with original and amazing ideas on the board.
System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive.

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In this companion volume to Fundamental Chess Endings, Muller and Pajeken focus on the practical side of playing endgames. They cover all aspects of strategic endgames, with particular emphasis on thinking methods, and ways to create difficulties for opponents over the board.

Using hundreds of outstanding examples from modern practice, the authors explain not only how to conduct 'classical' endgame tasks, such as exploiting an extra pawn or more active pieces, but also how to handle the extremely unbalanced endings that often arise from the dynamic openings favoured nowadays. All varieties of endgames are covered, and there are more than 200 exercises for the reader, together with full solutions.

Major topics include:
* Basic Principles and Methods
* Activity
* Schematic Thinking
* The Fight for the Initiative
* Prophylaxis and Preventing Counterplay
* The Bishop-Pair in the Endgame
* Domination
* The Art of Defence
* Typical Mistakes
* Rules of Thumb

Grandmaster Karsten Muller is a world-renowned expert on all aspects of endgame play. He is co-author (with Frank Lamprecht) of the acclaimed Secrets of Pawn Endings and Fundamental Chess Endings. He finished third in the German Championship in 1996, and was runner-up in 1997. Wolfgang Pajeken is a FIDE Master from Hamburg who plays frequently in the German Bundesliga, and other team and individual championships. He is also a chess trainer, organizer and arbiter.
Pub. 2008, softback, 351 pages.

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Playing 1.e4 with White is often associated with having to know reams of opening theory but this does not have to be the case. There are many unusual but playable lines which give White attacking chances whilst avoiding the well trodden paths. Besides the practical advantage of putting Black on his own resources this gives White the opportunity to play creative chess from early on in the game. On this DVD Davies presents a complete repertoire for White comprising unusual but aggressive lines. His suggested repertoire includes 2.Na3 against the Sicilian, 2.f4 against both the French and Pirc and the Fantasy Variation of the Caro-Kann. Video running time: 4 hours. Nigel Davies has been a Grandmaster since 1993 and is a former British Open Quickplay and U21 Champion. He is an acknowledged expert on the lines presented here, having used them extensively in tournament practice.
System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive.

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I.M. Craig Pritchett provides an active repertoire for White based on lines with an early Nf3 and d4 rather than the slower g3, d3 systems. The two main sections of the book look at Black's responses 1..e5; and 1..c5. The 1..e5; section examines both the Four Knights and Reversed Sicilian systems, as well as Black alternatives after 1.c4,e5; 2.Nc3, whilst the 1..c5; section covers the Symmetrical Four Knights, 3..d5; the Hedgehog and Indian set-ups. Transpositions into major d pawn openings such as the Dutch, Slav, King's Indian and Queen's Gambit are not included. The repertoire is based around 30 annotated key games with summaries of best play at the end of each chapter. This is a repertoire with club players new to the English in mind or former 1.e4 players who want to play the English in an open, attacking manner. Craig Pritchett is a Scottish International Master and is currently director of Schools Chess Development for Chess Scotland.
Pub. 2007, softback, 189 pages.

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