The opponent who answers 1 e4 with an emphatic 1...c5 (The Sicilian Defence) is often looking for a fight. Such players can be highly theoretically prepared and itching to launch into their own pet variations after White has opted for the main lines with an early d2-d4. The Closed Sicilian is an ideal antidote to such aggression. In the Closed Sicilian an awareness of the strategies and plans is far more important than the simple memorising of variations. White’s play is logical and the ba...

Miniatures in the Ruy Lopez Main Line Another Great Book in the "Miniatures in the..." Series! The lines covered in this book, the Ruy Lopez Main Lines, arise (with a few exceptions for move order and such) after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0. The Ruy Lopez, or Spanish Opening if you like, is one of the oldest openings, named after a Spanish priest who first played it back in the 16th century. Needless to say, it has been played a few times since and remains a popular openin...

An essential part of improving at chess is tactics. Tactics occur at every level of chess but once the players become stronger the elements involved in spotting the puzzles tend to become more complex and deeper, whereas, among weaker players, elementary skewers, forks, and deadly pins are more frequent visitors.

The English Opening is typically a solid and reliable opening for White, one where both sides develop their pieces to reasonable squares before the combat begins in earnest. The gambits covered in this book change that manuscript entirely. Before either side has completed any kind of development, Black tries to grab the initiative by sacrificing a pawn. Both gambits arise after 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 e4!? 4.Ng5. The Adhiban Gambit then continues by Black playing 4...c6!?, intending to mee...

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 practicing 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 ...

In Mazukevich's Madness, Black stuns White with a piece sacrifice on move 5, completely changing the direction of the game of this otherwise solid and rather predictable opening.FIDE Master, FIDE Trainer, and opening specialist Carsten Hansen carefully analyzes all options for White after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nxe4!, showing that Black not only is doing fine, but can often start pushing for more if White doesn't play accurately.In addition to this analy...

In this book, the authors aim to assist the reader in becoming better at finding combinations and creative solutions, constructing plans, and calculating long, forcing variations. For the purpose of instruction, the material is based on the creative output of the Austrian International Master in Chess Composition Alois Wotawa (1896-1970), using his endgame compositions from various works and publications.This is not a book for lower-rated players and newcomers to chess, as the mater...

Miniatures in the Queen’s Indian: 4.g3 The subject of this book is the Fianchetto Variation of the Queen’s Indian Defense, which arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3. Its purpose is to entertain and educate you. The entertainment consists of 100 main games all of which are 25 moves or less. In addition to the main games, you will find miniatures included in the notes, along with many other complete games. The education part involves solving tactical puzzles, reasoning your way t...

Chess Openings Can Be Simple! Because of the sheer volume of variations, possible transpositions and ever-changing theory, chess openings can be overwhelming � even intimidating. This book is an introduction to understanding and playing chess openings. The author, Danish Master Carsten Hansen, stresses opening play based on comprehending opening principles as well as useful, fundamental knowledge. With an overview of all the most important opening variations, examples of good and bad ope...

In this book, the authors aim to assist the reader in becoming better at finding combinations, constructing plans, and calculating long, forcing variations. For the purpose of instruction, the material is based on the output of the brilliant endgame composer and player Herman Mattison (1894-1932), using his endgame compositions from various works and publications as well as several of his practical endgames from games entirely too short career.

Are you ready to shock your opponent on move 3?The Reti Opening is a dynamic opening invented by Richard Reti more than a century ago. It has since been featured in the repertoires of countless grandmasters and world champions, including Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Garry Kasparov, Tigran Petrosian, Vassily Smyslov, and many others.The Navara Gambit takes dynamic chess into a bizarro world on move 3: 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 g5!It looks ridiculous, but that doesn't ma...

50% Tactics – 50% Opening Book – 100% Enjoyment! Enter the world of chess miniatures where games are decided in 20 moves or less! Marvelous Modern Miniatures features the largest collection of miniatures chess games played in the last half-century. Over 500 pages of cut and thrust! Although every player is rated at least 2100, the overwhelming majority are strong masters or grandmasters. You will follow them as they do battle with tactical fireworks raging around them. The surprising depth...