New Chess Books, CD-ROMs and Bargains
Books by publisher: Batsford
• BCM • Caissa
Editions • Caissa Kft •
Chess Digest • Chess
Enterprises • Chess Player
• Chess Stars • Dover
• Everyman • Gambit
• Hardinge Simpole •
Hays • ICE
• Informator • McFarland
• McKay • Moravian
Chess • New in Chess • Olms
• Pickard • Quality
Chessbooks • Russell Enterprises
• Thinker's Press • MISCELLANEOUS
Year Published: 2007 • 2006
• 2005 • 2004
• 2003 • 2002
• 2001 • 2000
• 1999
New Books: Page 1 •
Page 2 • Page 3
• Page 4
The ABC of Alekhine by Andrew Martin (ChessBase DVD-ROM, 2007)
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Alekhine’s Defence is an excellent opening to play if Black wants to go for the win. Black invariably gets a tough and resilient position with ample opportunity for counterchances. With 1...Nf6 he immediately throws down the gauntlet to the pawn on e4 and tries to take the initiative from the very first moves. This is a particularly effective game-plan at club level, where knowledge of exact theory is sketchy and where a passive response to immediate aggression is commonplace. This DVD takes a look at how the opening stands in 2007. IM Andrew Martin provides sound, active recommendations for Black, which can be used at all levels of play and demonstrates that the Alekhine is actually in pretty good shape. To underestimate Alekhine‘s Defence would be a big mistake indeed! Video running time: 5 h 40 min. System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard
The Maroczy System by Sergei Tiviakov (ChessBase DVD-ROM, 2007)
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The Maroczy System of the Sicilian Defence is one of the modern openings where Black attacks the white centre mainly with pieces. After the moves 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 c4 Nf6, the pawns c4 and e4 secure White a space advantage in the middle. However, it is exactly these central pillars which may easily become targets of the black counterattack. Sergei Tiviakov has been employing this system with Black in tournaments since 1991 and is considered one its greatest experts. His explanations make it easy to understand the black set-up where recognizing typical recurring piece manoeuvres is far more important than concrete knowledge of variations. The Maroczy System can be learned within a short time, and due to its solidity it is best suited to score good results even against strong opponents. Video running time: 3 h 15 min. System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard
Queen’s Pawn Openings by Andrew Martin (ChessBase DVD-ROM, 2007)
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Queen‘s Pawn Openings such as the Trompowsky, the London System, the Colle System, the Torre Attack and many others crop up all the time at club level. From time to time they are popular with grandmasters too. It is essential for players at all levels to have something prepared, or one runs the risk of getting smashed by a standard plan. The players who use these openings usually understand them very well and know how to angle the game in the right direction for them and the wrong direction for you. IM Andrew Martin presents solutions for Black against the following remarkable array of QP Openings: Trompowsky, Pseudo-Trompowsky, Torre Attack, Colle System and Colle-Zukertort System, London System, Stonewall, Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Prie System 2 a3, Reversed French, 1 d4 Nf6 2 g4?!. Move orders with 1...d5 and 1...Nf6 with either ...g6 or ...e6 are all covered. You may not agree with all of Martin’s suggestions, but you will certainly get a decent position as Black with chances to play for the win every time! This is just what the club player needs. Video running time: more than 6 hours. System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard
Decision Making in Chess by Adrian Mikhalchishin (ChessBase DVD-ROM, 2007)
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The theory of the critical moment in the chess game was explained once by GM Iosif Dorfman, who suggested that every game has 5 or 6 “forks” at which the important decisions are made. Accordingly, all major erroneous decisions are made at these moments when there are multiple possible choices. Mikhalchishin describes different critical moments in detail and explains how to react correctly. Understanding the play at such a critical moment is the key to improving one’s results and general understanding of chess. Critical moments are characterized by the presence of between 2 and 4 different possibilities - the exchange of pieces, the calculation of a long variation, a positional solution or transposition into an endgame. Mikhalchishin shows how to perform correctly in the above situations. Video playing time: 3 h 26 min. System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard
My Best Games by Anatoly Karpov (Olms,
2007)
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With a foreword by Igor Zaitsev and a pen-portrait by Raymund Stolze, translated (2007) by Ken Neat. ‘I always want to be first,’ stated Anatoly Karpov, who in 1975 was declared chess champion of the world when the eccentric American Robert James Fischer declined to defend his title against his Russian challenger. The fact that ‘Tolya’ was no ‘paper tiger’ was something he proved over the next three decades: during it he held the FIDE world championship for 17 years (1975-1985 and 1993-1999) and won more than 160 major chess tournaments – an all-time record! The unique career of the Russian grandmaster can be appreciated from these 100 annotated games, which demonstrate that Karpov is not only a master in the conversion of a minimal advantage. All chess enthusiasts can profit and learn from them! ‘Anatoly Karpov’s absolute will to survive and his singular chess talent unite to form an inseparable combination of Lasker’s psychological skill and Capablanca’s perfect machine-like technique.’Garry Kasparov, 13th world chess champion. ‘When Karpov had an advantage he would maintain the status quo and thereby mysteriously increase his advantage! Nobody before or since him has managed to do this.’ Vladimir Kramnik, 14th world chess champion •
295 pages, softback
French Defence Advance Variation, Vol. 1 by Evgeny Sveshnikov (Olms,
2007)
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White Repertoire for Tournament Players. With a Foreword by Anatoly Karpov (2007). ‘I consider this book to be a real manual, original in its conception and excellent in its execution. It not only teaches you how to play a specific variation of the French Defence, but it also helps you understand many strategic ideas and their practical application in the middlegame, which for the majority of players is even more important.’
Anatoly Karpov, 12th world chess champion. The well-known grandmaster and theoretician Evgeny Sveshnikov has used the Closed Variation (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5) more than 150 times in tournament play with a score of more than 70%. Many theoretically important games have been excluded by the author from ‘official’ chess databases, and here they are exclusively published for the first time. Volume 1 (Basic Course) contains the following main chapters: Historical overview of the Closed Variation • Plans for White and Black on the basis of thoroughly annotated • games • A lesson on the blockade • 70 test positions: what would you play? •
176 pages, softback
French Defence Advance Variation, Vol. 2 by Evgeny Sveshnikov (Olms,
2007)
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White Repertoire for Tournament Players. With a Foreword by Anatoly Karpov (2007). Volume 2 (Master Course) contains the following main chapters: 61 theoretically important games for independent analysis • Encyclopaedia of variations • Summary of the 3 e5 system • Games for further study • Latest theoretical developments. This two-volume work is intended for a broad range of chess enthusiasts. The author guarantees that anyone making a thorough study of the available material can expect an improvement in his playing strength in this system of approximate 200 Elo points •
152 pages, softback
Kingpin No.39 (Editor: Jonathan Manley)
(Kingpin, 2007)
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The first issue of this occasional satirical magazine for over a year.
The usual irreverent mixture of articles on the game and its players •
64 pages, softback
Play 1...Nc6! by Christoph Wisnewski (Everyman,
2007)
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Subtitled A complete chess opening repertoire for Black. Are you
constantly struggling with the black pieces? Can't make up your mind which
openings to play? Are you looking for something new: an all-in-one solution
to your problems? Look no further! In this original book, Christoph Wisnewski,
who is renowned for his innovative and adventurous opening ideas, provides
the reader with an ambitious and all-encompassing repertoire for Black
against every main line opening that White can play, based on the initial
move 1...Nc6. The principal components of this black repertoire are the
uncompromising Chigorin Defence, a long-time favourite of the brilliant
Russian Grandmaster Alexander Morozevich, and the equally tricky Nimzowitsch
Defence, advocated by Britain's first ever Grandmaster, Tony Miles. Drawing
upon his wealth of practical experience in this opening, which has produced
a remarkable success rate and some notable Grandmaster scalps, Wisnewski
uncovers the secrets behind 1...Nc6 and divulges his findings to the reader.
He examines both the critical main lines and the tricky sidelines, and
provides a thorough grounding in the crucial tactical and positional concepts
for both White and Black. Reading through this book will allow you to
begin playing 1...Nc6 with skill and assurance in your own games •
268 pages, softback
The Survival Guide to Competitive Chess
by John Emms (Everyman, 2007)
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Are you making the most of your chess talent? Do you always perform to
the best of your ability? Do your results match up with your understanding
of the game? If the answer to any of these questions is 'no' then read
on! In The Survival Guide to Competitive Chess, Grandmaster and experienced
tournament player John Emms reveals the secrets of how to maximize your
potential and improve your results. Drawing upon his own over-the-board
experiences, Emms tackles the all-important aspects of practical play:
concentration and behaviour at the chessboard; playing for a win or a
draw; winning good positions and saving difficult ones; handling time
trouble; avoiding silly mistakes; understanding your strengths and weaknesses;
building an opening repertoire; using chess computers and software; preparing
for opponents; understanding and utilizing the finer points of the rules;
and much more besides. Read this book and play every game with the confidence
that you really can give it your best shot • 160 pages, softback
Chess Exam and Training Guide 2: Tactics
by Igor Khmelnitsky (Iamcoach Press, 2007)
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In the sequel to 2004's popular Chess Exam and Training Guide the
focus is exclusively on tactics. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned
master, this book will help you to evaluate your current level, identify
your weaknesses, and get training advice. You will discover: 60 diagrams
with 120 multiple-choice questions of varied complexity. Comprehensive
answers with diagrams to make reviewing easier. Distributions of answers
and other statistical reports by rating. Results are evaluated and ratings
are assigned overall and by 29(!) distinct sub-categories. Comprehensive
reports on each of the categories with examples, training recommendations
and training material suggestions • 207 pages, softback
Chess Explained: The Meran Semi-Slav by
Reinaldo Vera (Gambit, 2007)
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Belying its solid classical appearance, the Semi-Slav is one of Black's
most aggressive responses when White opens with the queen's pawn. The
Meran is its traditional main line, and often leads to chaotic positions
of immense strategic and tactical richness. This is territory where the
player who is better prepared and has a superior 'feel' for the nuances
will typically emerge victorious, even against a stronger opponent. Vera
draws upon decades of personal experience to explain the underlying logic
of the Meran and related lines, and to pick out the key features of positions
that to the untrained eye might appear random and unfathomable. In addition
to discussing all major lines after 5 e3, Vera also covers many subtle
issues of move-order, which are of great importance when trying to steer
the game into the desired channels • 112 pages, softback
Tactics in the Chess Opening 5: Indian Defences
by S Ernst & G van der Stricht (New in Chess,
2007)
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Every chess player loves to win early in the game with a deadly combination
or a cunning trap. On the other hand, nobody wants to be tricked by his
opponent before the game has really started. The popular series Tactics
in the Chess Opening teaches how to recognize opportunities to attack
early in the game. You will also learn how to avoid standard pitfalls
in the opening. This book explains, in around 230 carefully selected and
annotated games, all the tactical themes and typical traps of the main
lines in the Indian Openings and related systems like the Catalan Opening
and the Benoni Defence. After studying these brilliant surprise attacks,
or just enjoying them, the adventurous chess player will win more games
• 237 pages, softback
A Spanish Repertoire for Black by Mihail
Marin (Quality Chess, 2007)
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This book presents a first-class repertoire for Black against 1 e4. As
the title suggests, it is based on the respected Spanish (Ruy Lopez) Opening.
In his previous book, Beating the Open Games, Grandmaster Mihail
Marin dealt with White's options up to 3 Bb5. Now Marin provides all the
answers for Black after 4 Ba4. This depth of chess expertise has rarely
been published for a mass audience before, as grandmasters usually prefer
to keep their secrets. The complexity of the material could have been
daunting, but Marin is also a master of explaining profound ideas to a
wide audience • 231 pages, softback
Alexei Dreev: My 100 Best Games by Alexei
Dreev (Chess Stars, 2007)
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The top Russian grandmaster is famous for his deep understanding of chess
and fine endgame technique. Many of his games are milestones in the theory
of the Slav Defence, the King's Indian Defence and others. Here is a short
list of his major achievements: World Under 16 champion in 1983-1984;
European Under 20 champion in 1988; participant in the candidates matches
for the World title; winner of the world team championships 1997, 2005;
participant in the Russia vs Rest of the World match 2002; winner of many
international tournaments, including Biel 1995, Wijk aan Zee 1995, Reggio
Emilia 1996, Dos Hermanas 2001 Esbjerg 2003 • 299 pages, softback
Play the Grunfeld by Yelena Dembo (Everyman,
2007)
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The Grünfeld is an exciting and dynamic answer to 1 d4, and has become
very popular at all levels of chess. A major reason for this is that it
has been a long-time favourite of the World's strongest-ever chess player,
Garry Kasparov, who used it many times in his numerous World Championship
battles. The Grünfeld very much relies on the principles of the hypermodern
school of chess: Black allows White to erect an impressive-looking centre
on the assumption that in the long run it could prove to be more of a
liability than an asset. Play often becomes very complex and tactical,
one of the reasons the Grünfeld appeals to ambitious players. Despite
its attractions, some prospective Grünfeld players are discouraged
by the necessity of needing to learn numerous different variations in
such a complex opening. In Play the Grünfeld, however, opening expert
Yelena Dembo circumvents this problem by producing a comprehensive and
yet workable repertoire for Black, offering a solution against each of
White's tries, whether it's a critical main line or a tricky sideline.
After reading this book, you will have the required knowledge and confidence
to begin playing the Grünfeld in your own games • 192 pages,
softback
My Best Games in the Caro Kann by Alexei
Shirov (ChessBase DVD-ROM, 2007)
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The Caro-Kann Defence (1...c6) is considered one of the most solid and
reliable replies to 1 e4. Black fights for his share of the centre without
accepting an unnecessary weakening of his position, patiently waiting
for his chance. Shirov's preferred weapon against this sound black set-up
has always been the Advance Variation 3 e5, avoiding the simplification
after 3 Nc3 dxe4 and reaching a type of position of greater tactical and
strategic complexity - with chances and risks for both sides. Thus, the
main topics of the DVD are the white and black plans following 1 e4 c6
2 d4 d5 3 e5 Bf5 4 Nc3, which the super-grandmaster explains by means
of the best games from his own practice. And apart from impressive White
wins, these also include two examples with Shirov leading the black pieces!
Video playing time: 4hr 53min • System requirements: Pentium-Processor
at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive,
mouse, soundcard
The Secret Weapons of the Champions by
Adrian Mikhalchishin (ChessBase DVD-ROM,
2007)
£18.50 plus postage
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Modern middlegame theory does not exist in written form. That is why
players and trainers have to go back to the old recommendation by Nimzowitsch
- to study typical positional methods. But who is better placed to teach
us about their own powerful weapons than the great champions of the past?
So the key to understanding the middlegame lies in understanding how to
execute certain positional manoeuvres. In this DVD Mikhalchishin explains,
for example, Botvinnik's famous 'flank against centre' strategy, which
is one of the corner-stones of positional play. Also Petrosian's white
square strategy is an extremely important form of the control of squares
and space. Tal was a great master of changing the material balance in
every position - for example, rook and pawn against two pieces. GM Makogonov,
once a trainer of Vassily Smyslov, invented the famous secret positional
rule of the Soviet chess school. How and when it is possible to apply
this method you will find out from this disc. Video running time: more
than 4 hours • System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz
or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows Vista, Windows XP, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard
ChessBase Magazine 118 (ChessBase
DVD-ROM, 2007)
£17.50 plus postage
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Contains the 2007 European Championship which took place in April in
Dresden. The second tournament highlight is the M-Tel Masters in Sofia.
This year there was a mixture of old and new faces, leading to a lively
and combative contest. Local hero Topalov got off to his apparently typical
bad start but won through in the long run - for the third time in succession.
Krishnan Sasikiran, who for a long time looked the most likely winner
of the tournament, annotates two of his wins for you on this DVD, as does
Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, who was making his first appearance at the M-Tel
Masters and who had a good result with 5/10. Other main sections of this
ChessBase Magazine are devoted to the Bundesliga 2006/2007 season and
the Russian team championships. Alexei Shirov was once again the star
of the Bundesliga with a result of 9/10. On this DVD he examines his win
over Evgeny Postny in a video lasting almost half an hour. There is also
a Fritz-Trainer video from the Russian team championship: Sergei Tiviakov
presents and explains his game in the Dragon against Andrei Volokitin.
ChessBase Magazine 118 provides you with 15 up-to-date opening surveys
(including the "French with 3...h6" by GM Emanuel Berg) and
the usual training columns ("Tactics", "The trap",
"Move by Move", "Endgames" etc.), which you can access
directly from the links in the left-hand column.
Prelude to Armageddon: Kasparov and Karpov in
London (Impala DVD-Video x 2, 2007)
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Before their world championship match of 1984, Anatoly Karpov and Garry
Kasparov both participated in key events in London. Kasparov met Korchnoi
in a decider for the world championship, while Karpov had to prove himself
in an elite tournament of grandmasters prior to meeting the boy from Baku.
This DVD set contains coverage of these pre-1984 enocunters in London,
plus footage of many other leading figures in the world of chess, such
as Korchnoi, Smyslov, Najdorf, Gligoric, Byrne, Miles, Timman and others
• DVD 1 has coverage of the 1983 world championship semi-finals held
in London • DVD 2 features the 1984 GLC King's Tournament won by
Karpov
• Running Time: approx. 2½ hours
New In Chess Magazine 2007/4
(New in Chess, 2007)
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Topalov wins the MTel Masters • Shabalov wins the US Championship
• European Individual Championships • Russian Team Championship
• Sigeman & Co • Bundesliga • Rowson on Books •
and much more.
Perfect Your Chess by Andrei Volotikin
& Vladimir Grabinsky (Gambit, 2007)
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Andrei Volokitin is one of a rare breed of players: he achieved a ranking
in the world's top 20 while still a teenager, playing dynamic and often
brilliant chess. Although we cannot all aspire to emulate his achievements,
there is much that we can learn from his training methods, his games and
his general approach to chess. These topics are the subject of this book,
written in collaboration with his trainer • 159 pages, softback
Improve Your Chess in 7 Days by Gary Lane
(Batsford, 2007)
£12.99 plus postage
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No time to study but want to win more chess games? This book is packed
with practical tips, hints on how to improve, learn from the champions
and find out how to beat them - in just a week. With one short chapter
for each day of the week, the book is ideal for social chess players and
includes a sprinkling of chess cartoons to keep you smiling as you read:
• Day 1 - So You Want to be Good? • Day 2 - Understanding the
Openings • Day 3 - Strategy versus Tactics • Day 4 - Creating
the Attack • Day 5 - Avoiding Blunders • Day 6 - Mastering the
Ending • Day 7 - The Art of Swindling. With comments and advice after
each move, this is as clear a guide to improving your chess as you will
ever need • 205 pages, softback
• Read
the July 2007 review
New In Chess Yearbook 83 (New
in Chess, 2007)
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Forum: contributions by Erling Mortensen, Bogdan Lalic and many others.
Sosonko's Corner: dedicated to Ivanchuk's newest opening exploits. Book
Reviews: Glenn Flear's specializes in the Ruy Lopez, and passes judgment
on the fifth edition of ECO C (1 e4 e6 and 1 e4 e5), as well as
Andrew Greet's Play the Ruy Lopez (Everyman) and Johnsen/Johannessen's
The Ruy Lopez: A Guide for Black (Gambit), etc. 31 Surveys: Sicilian
Defence - Najdorf Variation 6 Bg5 - Berg • Sicilian Defence - Rauzer
Variation 6...Bd7 - Galkin • Sicilian Defence - Sveshnikov Variation
9 Nd5 - Anka • Sicilian Defence - Paulsen Variation 6...Bd6 - Fogarasi
• Sicilian Defence - Alapin Variation 2...Nf6 - Sveshnikov •
King's Fianchetto - Accelerated Dragon - Rogozenko • French Defence
- Burn Variation 4...de4 - Grivas • French Defence - Winawer Variation
7/8 h4 - Vilela • French Defence - Winawer Variation 7...0-0 - I
Almasi • Caro-Kann Defence - Advance Variation 4 Nc3 - Boersma •
Caro-Kann Defence - Classical Variation 3 Nc3 - Olthof • Scandinavian
Defence - Main Line 5 Bd2 - Prié • Petroff Defence - Steinitz
Variation 5...Nd7 - Vladimirov • Ruy Lopez - Berlin Defence 7...Nf5
- Z. Almasi • Ruy Lopez - Open Variation 5...Ne4 - Van der Tak •
Scotch Opening - Classical Variation 4...Bc5 - A. Kuzmin • King's
Gambit - Early Deviations 2...Bc5 - De Zeeuw • Slav Defence - Classical
Variation 4 Qc2 - Ikonnikov • Slav Defence - The Slow Slav 4 e3 -
A Kuzmin • Slav Defence - Alapin Variation 5 a4 Bf5 - Giddins •
Queen's Gambit Accepted - Classical Variation 4 e3 - Karolyi • Catalan
Opening - Accepted 4...dc4 - Stohl Catalan Opening - Open Variation 6...dc4
- Lukacs/Hazai • Nimzo-Indian Defence - Ragozin Variation 6 Bg5 -
Mchedlishvili • Queen's Indian Defence - Bogo-Indian 3...Bb4 - Langeweg
• Grünfeld Indian Defence - 4 h4 - Cebalo • Grünfeld
Indian Defence - Exchange Variation 7 Bc4 - Mikhalevski • King's
Indian Defence - Four Pawns Attack 8 de6 - Moskalenko • Benoni Defence
- Four Pawns Attack 5 f4 - Grivas • Queen's Pawn Openings - Neo-London
System 2 Bf4 - Prié • English Opening - Groningen Attack 4
g4 - Krasenkow • 246 pages, softcover
• Read the
July 2007 review
Transpo Tricks in Chess by Andrew Soltis
(Batsford, 2007)
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In chess, a transposition is a known position reached by a different move
order than usual - a less obvious way of getting to somewhere you want
to go, leading to confusion for your opponent. Every chess player has
a number of them in his arsenal, and they are used most often in openings.
There are transpositional tricks in all openings, but this is the first
book devoted to them. As the book covers all the key openings variations
it can be used by most chess players. The introduction explains what transpositions
are and why they're invaluable, followed by eight chapters discussing
transpositions, illustrated by some notorious examples from top-flight
matches. Chapters are divided by opening group - Double e-pawn openings;
Sicilian Defence; Other Semi-Open openings; Double e-pawn openings; Indian
openings; Other 1 d4 openings; Reti, English, 1 g3. The benefits and drawbacks
of each set of move orders are discussed throughout • 291 pages,
softback
• Read
the July 2007 review
Chess Opening Essentials, Vol. 1 by Djuric,
Komarov & Pantaleoni (New in Chess, 2007)
£18.95 plus postage
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Most opening books are either too detailed or too shallow. Chess Opening
Essentials has exactly the right balance and is an accessible primer
and a reference book at the same time. It gives a flavour of how every
opening works and explains the similarities with other openings as well
as the differences. In addition, it also points at the various middlegame
plans that apply after the opening has ended. The authors do not propagate
forcing tactical variations to be memorized mechanically, but explain
what you should actually be trying to achieve when playing the opening
of your choice. They include the main alternative responses and give clear
indications for further study. Chess Opening Essentials helps you
to get out of any opening in good shape. This thorough, understandable,
and very readable manual gives you a foundation on which to build your
repertoire on. Beginning and improving chess players should get this powerful
book before they buy any other chess opening book! • Comprehensive:
covers all main variations likely to arise • Easy-to-use: important
moves and key positions are highlighted in colour • Long-lasting:
it doesn't outdate because it is about basics - not the latest fashions
• Complete: explains the plans and counterplans for both Black and
White • Down-to-earth: simple, verbal introductions (not a database
dump full of dead trees) • Convenient: every opening is illustrated
with a number of instructive games • Prize-winning: received the
Golden Award of the Italian Chess Federation • 358 pages, softback
• Read
the July 2007 review
How to Play the Najdorf, Vol. 3 by Garry
Kasparov (ChessBase DVD-ROM, 2007)
£26.99 plus postage
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The Najdorf variation in the Sicilian Defence has a legendary reputation
as a counter-attacking weapon for Black. It is an opening where people
often strive for a full point, instead of simply defending the position
with the black pieces. Many great players have contributed to the development
of this complex opening. Two world champions used the Najdorf variation
as their weapon of choice against 1 e4: Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov.
Both players celebrated spectacular successes with it, retaining it as
an important part of their repertoire throughout their entire careers.
For chess amateurs and professionals alike it is a great moment when the
world's leading expert shares all the secrets of his favourite opening.
In part one Garry Kasparov introduced the various subsystems of the Najdorf,
including the central 'Poisoned Pawn' variation. Part two was devoted
to the main lines against 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4, including the legendary Polugaevsky
Variation. In Part three he examines the move 6 Be3 which is today considered
the main line of the Najdorf. The DVD contains more than five hours of
first-class private video tuition. The package includes the latest ChessBase
9.0 Reader, a big reference database featuring all relevant Najdorf games,
as well as a complete opening book that can be used to practice what you
have learnt with Fritz. System requirements: PC (minimum 233 MHz and 32
MB RAM, recommended 1 GHz, 256 MB), DVD drive, Windows Vista or XP, sound
card, Windows Media Player 9 or higher (for the multimedia lessons)
• Read the July 2007
review
Starting Out: the Colle by Richard Palliser
(Everyman, 2007)
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The Colle is a solid, reliable system of development based on the popular
opening move 1 d4. One of its major advantages is that although the system
is very easy to learn and play, it leads to exciting middlegame positions
where White often launches a violent attack against Black's king. The
Colle is a particular favourite amongst club players, but is also seen
at grandmaster level; perhaps its most well-known exponents are the former
World Championship Candidate Artur Yusupov and the twice World Junior
Champion Shakhriyar Mamedyarov • 251 pages, softback
• Read the
July 2007 review
Gambiteer 1 by Nigel Davies (Everyman,
2007)
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Sub-titled "A Hard-Hitting Chess Opening Repertoire for White".
Are you fearless in your approach to chess openings? Do you like to attack
your opponents from the very beginning? Are you happy to take calculated
risks? Do you loathe trivial positional chess? Do you feel the need to
sacrifice pawns early in the game? Are you a Gambiteer? If the answer
to these questions is 'yes!' then this is the book for you! In his two-volume
Gambiteer series, opening expert Nigel Davies produces a complete opening
repertoire which is certainly not for the faint-hearted: uncompromising
and wild attacking ideas for both colours. This first volume deals with
a gambit-style approach for White; the second volume will concentrate
on an ambitious black repertoire. All of the opening lines Davies advocates
in this book lead to positions of open warfare, where sharp, tactical
play completely dominates dreary positional subtleties. Are you ready
for the battle? Then cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war! Contents:
Sicilian Defence, Wing Gambit • Danish Gambit • French Defence,
Wing Gambit • Caro-Kann Fantasy Variation • Alekhine's Defence
with 3 Nc3 • Pirc Defence, Austrian with 5 a3 • Scandinavian
Defence • Nimzowitsch Defence • The Pseudo-Philidor • and
other defences • 176 pages, softback
• Read
the July 2007 review
Starting Out: Sicilian Sveshnikov by John
Cox (Everyman, 2007)
£14.99 plus postage
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No opening in recent times has captured the imagination of the chess public
more than the Sicilian Sveshnikov. Initially popularized in the 1970s,
the Sveshnikov has exploded onto the chess scene at the highest levels
and is now regarded by many experts as one of Black's most promising answers
to 1 e4. One of its major attractions is that more often than not the
opening leads to incredibly sharp and complex play. In such situations
both sides must play with extreme accuracy just to stay on the board as
a single slip may lead to disaster! This uncompromising and modern approach
with the black pieces has found favour with many of today's leading Grandmasters,
including Vladimir Kramnik and Peter Leko, while Garry Kasparov also began
playing it towards the end of his career • 271 pages, softback
• Read the July 2007
review
Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman
(Russell Enterprises, 2007)
£14.99 plus postage
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Tactics are the reason most people find chess fun. This book will greatly
enhance your enjoyment learning about, and benefiting from, the recurring
patterns of tactics. In chess, if you lose all your pieces you can't win.
And if you capture each of your opponent's pieces, winning should be easy.
Even if you just get ahead by a small amount of material, your chances
of winning soar. The way to win your opponent's pieces is through the
use of tactics. This book is about all types of chess tactics. The subject
is comprehensively covered with basic instructional material, examples,
and problems of all types - about 500 examples and problems ranging from
very easy to very difficult • 192 pages, softback
• Read
the June 2007 review
The Grass Arena by John Healy (Kingpin,
2007)
£8.99 plus postage
£1.50 UK, £3.00 overseas
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This is the autobiography of John Healy. Born in London of poor Irish
parents, hardened on the streets by the age of seven, out of school at
fourteen, John Healy casts himself neither as hero nor villain as he recalls
the downward spiral of his teenage years, overwhelmed by alcoholism, isolated
on the edge of society. Pressed into the army, bruised by military prison
and the boxing ring, dependent on booze, he ends up in the grass arena
- the terrifying world ruled by psychopaths and peopled by beggars, con-men,
thieves, prostitutes and killers, where the law is enforced with the broken
bottle, the boot, and the knife. A sordid early death seems inevitable
until, in prison, he learns to play chess. His single-minded devotion
to the game combines with a remarkable natural ability: he becomes a tournament
champion, he plays grandmasters; his games are reported in the national
press. One addiction is abandoned for another and his life is transformed.
Peace of mind, however, remains elusive - and the quest continues •
193 pages, softback
• Read
the June 2007 review
Surviving Changi: E.E. Colman - A Chess Biography
by Olimpiu G. Urcan (Singapore Heritage Society, 2007)
£24.99 plus postage
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This is a chess biography of a forgotten British player, Ernest Eugene
Colman (1878-1964) - chess expert, civil servant and doyen of Singapore's
chess community. Today Colman's name is primarily associated with a variation
of the Two Knights' Defence named after him - the Colman Variation (1
e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Nf6 4 Ng5 d5 5 exd5 Na5 6 Bb5+ c6 7 dxc6 bxc6 8
Qf3 Rb8). While Colman never reached the highest peaks in world chess,
his contribution to the development of chess as a serious sport in Singapore
and Malaya was remarkable. In the pre-war years, Colman was Singapore's
top chess player and leading chess light. He reorganised the Singapore
Chess Club and was its President for decades. More importantly, he saw
chess and football as a way to bridge the gap between the various races
in Singapore. During the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), Colman was interned
at Changi Jail as a civilian internee. He taught chess to his fellow inmates
as a way to keep their minds off their hardships, secretly wrote a chess
manual and invented a new chess variation. This book is in two parts.
The first chronicles the life and times of Colman while the second contains
all recoverable games Colman played • 349 pages, hardback
• Read the June 2007
review
The Pirc Defence by Nigel Davies (ChessBase
DVD-ROM, 2007)
£21.99 plus postage
£1.50 UK, £3.00 overseas
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The Pirc Defence is a highly flexible and double-edged opening with which
Black can avoid premature simplification and go for the full point. By
first developing his kingside he waits to see how White will deploy his
own forces before striking back in the most effective way. The top exponents
of the Pirc include Gurevich, Chernin, Timman, Seirawan, Speelman, Azmaiparashvili
and Belyavsky; in the past it was a great favourite of Botvinnik and Miles.
Here Nigel Davies explains the ideas and backs this up by showing exactly
how Black should react to White's different formations. Video running
time: 7 hours. System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher,
64 MB RAM, Windows Vista, Windows XP, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard
• Read the
June 2007 review
Informator 98 (Informator,
2007)
£21.00 plus postage
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Informator 98 contains 432 annotated games and 490 variations. Events
covered: Lausanne, Kramnik-Topalov, Barcelona, Hoogeveen, Cap d'Agde (rapid),
Moscow, La Habana, Kramnik-Deep Fritz (m), Russia (ch), Topalov - Ju.
Polgar (m-blindfold), Merida, Pamplona, etc. Contributors include: Anand,
Kramnik, Ivanchuk, Leko, Morozevich, Gelfand, Svidler, Ju. Polgar, Ponomariov,
Navara, Grischuk, Shirov, Short, Kasimdzhanov, Karyakin, Xie Yun, Speelman
and many others. Also the voting for the ten best games and the ten most
important theoretical novelties from Informator 97, theoretical survey
in ECO format, the most interesting recent combinations, endings and studies,
tournament standings and crosstables, and the best of Boris Gelfand's
creative output • 331 pages, softback
• Read the
June 2007 review
ECO Volume A 4th ed. CD-ROM (Informator
CD-ROM, 2007)
£24.99 plus postage
£1.50 UK, £3.00 overseas
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The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings has long been the definitive work
on opening theory, employing Informator's comprehensive and easy-to-use
chess opening classification and reference system which has gone on to
become the world's de facto standard. This volume contains all opening
moves other than 1 d4 and 1 e4, plus 1 d4 without 1...d5, 1...Nf6, 1 d4
Nf6 without 2 c4, 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 without 2...e6 or 2...g6. Hence this volume
covers the English Opening, Dutch Defence, Benoni, Reti, Volga Gambit
amongst others. The basis of ECO are games from Informator annotated by
the best players of today and their assessments. In four different formats
(ChessBase CBH, PGN, Chess Assistant and Informator Reader)
• Read the
June 2007 review
ECO Volume B 4th ed. CD-ROM (Informator
CD-ROM, 2007)
£24.99 plus postage
£1.50 UK, £3.00 overseas
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The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings has long been the definitive work
on opening theory, employing Informator's comprehensive and easy-to-use
chess opening classification and reference system which has gone on to
become the world's de facto standard. Volume B contains all Black's responses
to 1 e4 except 1...e6 and 1...e5. Hence this volume includes the Sicilian,
Caro-Kann, Pirc, Modern, Alekhine, Scandinavian and other more unusual
opening choices against 1 e4. The basis of ECO are games from Informator
as annotated by the best players of today. In four different formats (ChessBase
CBH, PGN, Chess Assistant and Informator Reader)
• Read the
June 2007 review
Small Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO, 2nd
ed) (Informator CD-ROM, 2007)
£24.99 plus postage
£1.50 UK, £3.00 overseas
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One of the main problems of tournament play is successfully negotiating
the opening. This CD-based Small Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings gives
easy access to clear and reliable information for the numerous chess players
who have competitive ambitions but only limited time to dedicate to chess,
while for players with greater competitive experience and chess professionals,
it offers an ideal repository of information and the exact evaluation
of critical lines. In four different formats (ChessBase CBH, PGN, Chess
Assistant and Informator Reader)
• Read the
June 2007 review
The Best of Chess Informant: Vladimir Kramnik
(Informator CD-ROM, 2007)
£21.50 plus postage
£1.50 UK, £3.00 overseas
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This CD-ROM database (in four different database formats - ChessBase,
PGN, Chess Assistant and Informator Reader) gives a close-up of world
champion Vladimir Kramnik: biography and facts, tournament statistics,
classification of openings, 843 published games (391 annotated by Kramnik),
White/Black repertoire trees, best games, five golden games, 100 best
games, most important theoretical novelties, theoretical surveys (C42,
C85, E04), combinations, excellent moves, initiative, defence, endings,
rare blunders and misconceptions
• Read the
June 2007 review
How to Defend in Chess by Colin Crouch
(Gambit, 2007)
£13.99 plus postage
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This is a Gambit re-issue of a classic work on chess defence. Many books
discuss how to attack in chess, but resourceful defensive play is also
a vital ingredient in competitive success. This is an area largely neglected
in the literature of the game. This book fills the gap admirably. Following
a survey of general defensive methods in chess, Dr Colin Crouch investigates
the techniques of World Champions Emanuel Lasker and Tigran Petrosian,
both highly effective defenders. Lasker would place myriad practical obstacles
in the opponent's way, and was a master of the counterattack. Petrosian
developed Nimzowitsch's theories of prophylaxis to a new level. His opponents
would find that somehow their attacking chances had been nullified long
before they could become reality • 224 pages, softback
• Read
the June 2007 review
Total Nalimov Tablebases (Convekta 6 x
DVD-ROMs, 2007)
£37.99 plus postage
£1.50 UK, £3.00 overseas
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This product includes 6 DVDs with more than 50 Gbs of data in total:
1 DVD with Nalimov Endgame Tablebases, all 3-4-5 piece endgames •
5 DVDs with Nalimov Endgame Tablebases, main 6 piece endings, as follows:
• P+P v P+P • P+P+P v P • N+P v B+P • N+P v N+P •
B+P v B+P. Includes a database of 376,000 correspondence games in PGN
format as a bonus item. Nalimov Tablebases and Correspondence database
are supplied in standard formats and can be used with all well-known programs
including Fritz, Junior, ChessBase, Chess Assistant, Rybka, Chess Openings
and others.
The Philidor: A Secret Weapon by Christian
Seel (Chessgate, 2007)
£14.99 plus postage
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In this updated English edition, Christian Seel presents a complete
repertoire against 1 e4, based on the Antoshin Variation (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3
d6 3 d4 exd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 Be7) of the Philidor Defence. Underestimated
for a long time, this line is now a solid component in the repertoire
of world-class grandmasters such as Aronian, Nisipeanu and Bacrot. Seel
sets out the latest state of play in all important lines, with thorough
strategic and tactical explanations, and is not afraid to betray some
of the secrets from his own analysis lab. The preface to the book was
written by Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu • 132 pages, softback
• Read
the June 2007 review
New In Chess Magazine 2007/3
(New in Chess, 2007)
£6.50 plus postage
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Anand on Top of the World • Kramnik’s Monaco Come-Back •
Yakovenko Wins Poikovsky • The Marshall Myth • Rowson’s
Reviews • S.O.S.: 1 d4 d5 2 Bg5 f6!? • Encounters with Dick
van Geet • and much more.
The Pirc in Black and White by James Vigus
(Everyman, 2007)
£15.99 plus postage
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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, FM James Vigus
provides an up-to-date appraisal of the Pirc and its many variations.
Using illustrative games, he examines the traditional main lines, the
fashionable alternatives and the tricky sidelines, while outlining the
typical tactical and positional ideas for both White and Black. A study
of this book will allow the reader to begin playing the Pirc with confidence
in his or her own games • 381 pages, softback
• Read
the June 2007 review
Play the Caro-Kann by Jovanka Houska (Everyman,
2007)
£14.99 plus postage
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The Caro-Kann is a reliable and highly respected 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. In this
book, IM Jovanka Houska presents the reader with a concise and trustworthy
repertoire within the Caro-Kann, providing a solution against all of White's
main options, and efficient methods to deal with tricky sidelines. Houska
examines the important tactical and strategic plans for both sides, arming
the reader with enough information to begin playing the Caro-Kann with
confidence in his or her own games • 208 pages, softback
• Read
the June 2007 review
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