A illustrated introduction to the fundamental principles of chess, which explains the important concepts of the game, with details of ninety exercises to test key chess skills.

In the unusual Queen s Gambit, grandmaster Chris Ward covers three offbeat but nevertheless important defences to this ancient opening. The Chigorin Defence (1 d4 d5 2 c4 Nc6) creates dynamic imbalance in the position. White often ends up with a big centre but Black s active pieces can create havoc. The Albin Counter Gambit (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5) is a tricky tactical line which can be deadly against an unprepared White player. The final variation (1 d4 d5 2 c4 Bf5) is an interesting way to try to sovle immediately the age old problem of how to develop the queen s bishop in the Queen s Gambit...

Fed up having to defend with Black? Annoyed by all those irritating white systems? Then this is the book for you Russian international master Alexander Raetsky draws upon his wealth of experience gained playing on the tough international tournament circuit to supply you with an all-in-one solution to your problems. The reader is provided with a complete repertoire for Black against 1 e4, based on the ever-reliable Sicilian Defence. Lines suggested are fun to play and promise Black dynamic counterplay. The variations are also easy to learn: this book is especially useful for players who have...

The dynamic Modern Benoni Defence has undergone something of a revival over the past five or six years. It offers Black a fighting game right from the opening and is ideal for counter-attacking players who like to strive for the initiative right from the opening moves, such as the young Bulgarian star Veselin Topalov. This book considers every important variation, with particular emphasis on those which the reader is likely to encounter in his or her own games.

The opening phase of the game throws up difficult questions for those keen to study and improve their chess. Should I open with 1 d4, 1 e4, or something else? What is the best strategy as Black - immediate counter-attack or solid development? Should I learn numerous different systems or concentrate on a few specialist lines? In Mastering the Opening, international master Byron Jacobs asnwers these and other key questions. * Deals with every major opening * Numerous test positions enables readers to guage their progress * Revolutionary layout allows readers to absorb the key ideas

An up-to-date survey of the always popular Main Line Caro-Kann, which remains one of the most dependable ways for Black to meet 1 e4 and plays a key role in the repertoires of such stars as Anatoly Karpov and Jon Speelman. The author looks at the key variations and concepts for both sides and offers plenty of new ideas for those who wish to explore less well-chartered waters.

The middlegame can prove to be a minefield for many players, throwing up numerous difficult questions. Is this a good time to get active or should I consolidate my position? Should I have a long think in this position, or save time for later? Are desperate measures called for or should I just try to defend solidly? In Mastering the Middlegame, International master Angus Dunnington answers these and other questions that frequently baffle players of all levels. * Explains how strong players approach tactical and positional play * Numerous test positions enables readers to guage their progress *...

The Grunfeld Defence is a dynamic and popular counterattacking weapon for Black against queen's pawn openings. Former World Champion Bobby Fischer and current world number one Garry Kasparov head a long list of grandmasters that have utilised this opening with continued success. In this book, grandmaster and renowned chess teacher Nigel Davies explains the key ideas and tactics for both White and Black. Using illustrative games, Davies guides the reader through both the fashionable main lines and the tricky side variations, and provides his opinion on all the crucial questions arising from...

The Stonewall is an ideal choice for those players who are keen to avoid the reams of theory that surround more popular openings such as the Kings Indian and Nimzo-Indian Defences. With the Stonewall Black stakes an immediate claim in the centre and lays the foundations for a potentially dangerous kingside attack. The route to success with the Stonewall is very much based on an understanding of themes and ideas and these are clearly elucidated by experienced author Jacob Aagaard.

The Kalashnikov Variation is one of the most modern variations of the Sicilian Defence. As early as move four, Black lashes out in the centre and sets the tone for the rest of the game. Play can often become quite sharp and as is normal with many Sicilian lines, the best prepared player is usually the successful one. In this handy battle manual Jacob Aagaard and Jan Pinski take a deep look at all the critical ideas and variation of an opening which has received little coverage in chess publishing until now. *Coverage of all the hottest theory * An ideal new weapon for club and tournament...