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The Modern Nimzo-IndianBuilding a Reti Repertoire
by Semko Semkov, 244 pages

The English Opening is very popular nowadays, but 1.c4 e5! is a serious challenge and not to everyone's taste. Here comes 1.Nf3, with the idea to transfer the game into the English with c2-c4 to follow. The only hurdle on that path is 1...d5. Then White is at a crossroads. 2.c4 allows 2...d4 3.b4, while 2.e3 is an attempt to deny ...d4. Black can revive the threat with 2...c5, and again, White has a choice. 3.c4 d4 4.b4! leads to the Blumenfeld with reversed colours. Or he can continue to fight against ...d4 with 3.b3. White's decisions on the second and third move depends on the way he wants to meet the Queen's Gambit and the Slav/Meran/Chebanenko. Semkov covers in detail the different options, and also devotes several chapters on 1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 c6 and 3...e6 4.b3! (avoiding the innocuous version of the QGA after 4.Nc3 dxc4). There is another chapter on 1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4, where the absence of Nc3 allows White to get some pressure by refraining from d2-d4.

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The Modern Nimzo-IndianThe Safest Scandinavian Reloaded  A Black Repertoire based on 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6
by Vassilios Kotronias expected on November 20 300 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

A completely revised edition, which retains the strucure of the first edition but is based on new analysis of all critical lines.
This book presents a Black repertoire based on the Scandinavian Defence with 3...Qd6. This is the safest yet aggressive queen retreat. It allows Black to increase pressure on d4 with ...0-0-0 or ...Rd8 while keeping coordination in the centre. Kotronias offers new plans for Black in the most topical lines. They are backed with deep analysis based on solid chess understanding.
****
GM Vassilios Kotronias is ten-time champion of Greece and a famous theoretician. His peak rating so far was 2628.

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The Modern Nimzo-IndianPlaying for a win with ...b6
by Semko Semkov 232 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The author proposes a full repertoire against 1.d4 and 1.c4, which is theoretically sound and leads to sharp, strategically unbalanced positions. It is based on the so-called English Defence 1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 or 1.c4 b6. A great deal of the book is devoted to White's tries to deviate from theoretical dispute and transfer the game into the Queen's Indian with g3.

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The Modern Nimzo-IndianThe Modern Nimzo-Indian
by Igor Lysyj, 216 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The book presents a Black repertoire based on the Nimzo-Indian Defence.
From the "Preface": "I wrote this book for the adventurer who wants to start playing the Nimzo but is afraid of drowning in its lines. My creative task is to provide the reader with useful practical advice while sparing him unnecessary learning overhead." Igor Lysyj

Igor Lysyj is a strong grandmaster with a peak rating of 2700. He is also a FIDE Senior Trainer. Lysyj was Russian champion in 2014, European blitz champion in 2019, won the World Student’s championship in 2008 with the Russian team. Together with 43 other Russian chess players (including Chess Stars authors Khalifman, Kryakvin, Barski), Lysyj signed an open letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin, protesting against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people. 

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HybridThe Taimanov-Scheveningen Hybrid
by Semko Semkov, 264 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The author writes:
"This book offers a full repertoire based on the Taimanov move order 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6! 5.Nc3 Qc7. It is especially effective against the English Attack and early kingside pawn storms. However, the fianchetto 6.g3 and the Classical system with 6.Be3 a6 7.Be2 pose certain problems. I propose to meet them with the Scheveningen set-up ...d6. Thus we take the best of two different worlds.
In 20014 I wrote The Most Flexible Sicilian with Delchev. It was based on my coauthor’s repertoire, with a focus on the Kan (without Nc6). On the other hand, I have always preferred the Scheveningen set-up whenever possible. The biggest problem is to avoid the Keres Attack and the system with f4, Qf3. The Taimanov move order is perfect for that aim.
My new book practically does not overlap with the Most Flexible Sicilian or with Pavlidis’s The Sicilian Taimanov as I recommend other lines, which are better or keep more tension, in my opinion.
I have been a devoted Sicilian player all my life and I have played at least 10 000 blitz games featuring 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6. Since a good half of them featured 3.c3, 3.g3, 3.d3 or other anti-Sicilians, I included these lines in the book."

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Squeezing 1.e4 e5Squeezing the Caro-Kann: Simple Chess
by Alexander Khalifman and Sergei Soloviov, 254 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The authors recommend an economical and quite promising method for White to fight against the Caro-Kann Defence – the Exchange system (3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3). This minimalist approach against this classical opening deserves very serious attention today. This is confirmed incidentally by the fact that at present the popularity of the Exchange system (particularly after the year 2017) has increased considerably, and at quite different levels. Easiest way to explain authors' approach is to quote the description given in the previous books of this series:
1. White controls the centre, develops quickly and castles. He DOES NOT strive for a direct clash with the opponent after the first few moves in the opening.
2. White begins active operations only after the completion of our development; as a rule, these will take place in the centre and on the kingside.
3. Of course it is necessary to know the theory and to calculate the variations precisely, but in general White is striving to reach positions in which the basic strategical principles, the correct evaluation of the arising positions and the ability to choose the correct plan will be at least as important.
4. Finally, White is still fighting for an advantage in the opening. It may be just a small edge, but let’s see how things develop....

Sample


Squeezing 1.e4 e5Attacking 1...d5 Volume 2
by Kiril Georgiev, 220 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This volume covers the Ragozin, the Chebanenko, the Vienna, the Hennig-Schara Gambit, theTarrasch, 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 a6 and 3...Bb4.

Sample

 


Attacking 1...d5
by Kiril Georgiev, 224 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

Squeezing 1.e4 e5This book considers a gambit treatment of the Slav and the Semi-Slav. White offers the c4-pawn in order to get a space advantage and a long-term initiative. It also covers the Closed Catalan and the modern line 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 dxc4 7.Ne5. The author’s idea is to throw 1...d5 players off their comfort zone by dragging them into sharp unbalanced positions. If you are fed up with all the mainstream Slav/Meran theory out-there, this book will offer you new refreshing approaches for both sides.

Grandmaster Kiril Georgiev has been one of the strongest Bulgarian players for many years. He was a Junior World Champion and a bronze medalist in Europe. He has played in 15 Olympiads and also coached Bulgarian national team. His peak rating was in the world's top ten. Kiril wrote the books The Sharpest Sicilian, Squeezing the Gambits, Fighting the London System and The Modern English.

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Squeezing 1.e4 e5How to Play Equal Positions
by Vassilios Kotronias, 228 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The purpose of this book is to shed some light on the underlying principles that govern “boring” chess positions, bordering on equality. Such positions have gradually become the main dish of nowadays’ chess menu because people have increased their level, their stamina, their desire to grind down wins out of nothing.
The author proposes a clear streamlined method of thinking in dry equal positions without long-term plans. It is based mostly on correct evaluation and categorization of the position, and on move by move play.
The book is not for novices, it assumes that the readers have mastered the basics already and wish to make the next step in their chess development.

Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias is ten-time Greek champion and a famous theoretician.

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Squeezing 1.e4 e5The Modern French
by Dmitry Kryakvin ,2 volumes Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

Volume 1: Tarrasch and Various Lines 224 pages

Volume 2: Advance and Winawer 260 pages

The French Defence is coming back to fashion again! One of the leaders in the 2020 Candidates tournament, Ian Nepomniachtchi, successfully staked on it. Lately World champion himself also embraced the French several times. A great expert of this opening is the last challenger for the world title Fabiano Caruana. The French became a real arena of the battle of the engines – neural network genius Leela was confidently repelling the attacks of its powerful rivals.
The author’s view on the French allows Black to obtain fresh creative positions without having to compete with deep knowledge in well trodden paths.
The theoretical material is based on the author’s tournament practice, and passed the test at a GM level during the writing of the book.

See Contents of Volume 1

See Contents of Volume 2


The Modern FrenchSqueezing the King's Indian Defence
by Semko Semkov and Yuriy Krikun, 248 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book presents a full repertoire based on the Gligoric System against the King’s Indian Defence – 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.Be3. The key point of this set-up is that White does not commit his king to any flank, at least for a while. That makes Black’s thematic attack with ...f5-f4, ...g4 pointless and allows White to play chess without having to memorise tons of variations. The authors focus on typical positions and methods of handling them, which is essential for the Gligoric System. 

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The Modern FrenchSqueezing the Sicilian. The Alapin Variation
by Alexander Khalifman and Sergei Soloviov, 456 pages
Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

In the Alapin System White's strategic idea is extremely simple. He prepares to advance with d2-d4, to build a solid pawn centre and then dictate the play. He will have to pay for this with the fact that his queen's knight has been deprived of the best square for its development, but it may have other suitable squares (in many variations this will be not the d2-square but a3). Secondly, it very often happens that after d4 cxd4 cxd4, White's queen's knight still gets access to its best square on c3. The modern evaluation of this system is that Black has comfortable enough lines in which he can obtain an acceptable game. The authors try to prove that not all of these lines are equally good. 

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Squeezing 1.e4 e5The Modern Triangle
by Semko Semkov, Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book presents the Triangle set-up, which arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3/Nf3 c6. This move order avoids many unpleasant systems for White, notably the Catalan, the Exchange Slav and the Botvinnik Variation. It leads to sharp strategically unbalanced play and brings Black excellent practical results.

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Squeezing 1.e4 e5Squeezing 1.e4 e5: a Solid Strategic Approach
by Alexander Khalifman and Sergei Soloviov, 294 pages, Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The previous book of Khalifman and Soloviov, The Modern Scotch, discussed how to counter 1.e4 e5 in the most direct, aggressive and sometimes even risky fashion. Their new work explores a radically different approach. It presents a White repertoire based on the Four Knights Game, and in particular, the main line – the traditional system with 4.Bb5. The authors summarise the method they propose in the following way: 1. White controls the centre, develops quickly and castles. He DOES NOT strive for a direct clash with the opponent after the first few moves in the opening. 2. He begins active operations only after the completion of his development; as a rule, these will take place in the centre and on the kingside. 3. White strives to reach positions in which basic strategical principles, correct evaluation and ability to choose the correct plan will be at least as important as calculation and theoretical knowledge. 4. He still fights for an opening advantage even though the focus is on the middlegame.

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Play the Alekhine DefenceThe Safest Grünfeld Reloaded
by Alexander Delchev 352 pages, Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

"This book is a completely new edition of the original The Safest Grünfeld of 2011. I rechecked all the lines and changed my recommendations according to latest developments of theory and my new understanding.
Especially the anti-Grünfeld chapters are basically new. In my opinion top players have long lost hope to find advantage in the main lines and try early deviations. Anand chose 3.f3 against Gelfand and 5.Bd2 against Carlsen. So I devoted special attention to the Sämish approach with two different propositions. 3...Nc6 is less studied and probably more rewarding from a practical standpoint, while 3...d5 is in perfect theoretical shape, but requires more memorization.
Every too often White players try to avoid the Grünfeld by refraining from d4 or c4. I added an additional chapter on the very topical lately Trompowsky and Barry/Jobava attack.
The 7.Bc4 system in the Exchange Variation, and the Russian System have also underwent a major reconstruction." - A.Delchev

See Index of Variations


The Modern ScotchThe Modern Scotch
by Alexander Khalifman and Sergei Soloviov, 528 pages , Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The Scotch Game is the most “open” of all the Open Games. In fact this is the only really Open Game, in its essence, which matches the traditional terminology.
The move 3.d2-d4 breaks immediately the symmetry. White tries to occupy the centre and gain additional space. Rapid contact between the opposing forces takes place, in fact much quicker than in the other open (and not only open...) games, which increases the value of every move and requires from both sides tremendous accuracy at a very early stage of the game. Positions with opposite castles arise much more often in the Scotch than in all the other Open Games put together.

*****

Alexander Khalifman is a GM and FIDE Senior Trainer, FIDE World Chess Champion in 1999. He won the Soviet Union Youth Championship (1982, 1984), the European Under-20 Championship (1985), the Russian Championship (1996). He was a member of the gold medal-winning Russian team at the Chess Olympiads in 1992, 2000 and 2002, and at the 1997 World Team Chess Championship. Author of many books as Opening for White According to Anand, Opening for White According to Kramnik, etc...

Sergei Soloviov is an IM, author of many books as Boris Spassky's 400 Selected Games, Leko's One Hundred Wins, Shirov's One Hundred Wins, Bogoljubow: The Fate of a Chess Player, The Modern Anti-Sicilian, The Modern Vienna Game (with Roman Ovetchkin), Super Tournaments 2000 (with Alexander Khalifman), etc...

See Index of Variations


Play the Alekhine DefenceThe Modern English vol. 2
by Kiril Georgiev and Semko Semkov 256 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This volume completes the coverage of the Modern English with a repertoire against 1...c5, 1...Nf6, and 1...e6. It is based on active fight for the centre by e3 and d4. It is written from White’s standpoint, but it should also serve Black players since the authors often discuss several alternatives to the main lines. The book follows the acclaimed Chess Stars structure with three sections in each chapter – “Main Ideas”, “Step by Step”, and “Annotated Games”.

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Play the Alekhine DefencePlay the Alekhine Defence
by Alexei Kornev 288 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

In the Alekhine Defence, contrary to the classical methods of playing in the opening, Black does not fight for the centre with his pawns, but begins to exert immediate pressure against White’s centre. Black’s knight on f6 attacks the pawn on e4, and if it advances, then Black’s d-pawn joins into the attack against it. 
The Alekhine Defence is particularly applicable in encounters against players who are inferior in class, as well as in games with a short time-control. This opening is not used so often in practice, so your opponent might lose plenty of time to recollect the opening theory. That might prove to be a very negative factor for him in the forthcoming fight.

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Play the QIDPlay the Queen's Indian Defence
by Evgeniy Solozhenkin 320 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The Queen's Indian Defence has the reputation of a very reliable system for Black. Although his chances of obtaining sharp double-edged positions are restricted, good knowledge of piece set-ups and different plans should offer Black chances of seizing the initiative even in calm variations.

The opening monographs on the QID, as a rule, focus on the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6. What is Black supposed to do if the opponent wishes to avoid the QID and begins the game with the moves 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4, or 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3?. How should Black deploy his pieces and what should he aim for in the middlegame? The book of the grandmaster from Saint Petersburg and chess-coach Evgeniy Solozhenkin answers these questions!

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The Modern English 1 The Modern English Volume 1: 1.c4 e5
by Kiril Georgiev and Semko Semkov 212 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The book is written by White's standpoint and covers non-g3 set-ups: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.e3 as a main weapon and 4.d3 as an alternative. Some notable exceptions are 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 3.g3, although 3.Nf3 and 3.d4 is also analysed. The book goes beyond a straightforward repertoire, and covers different approaches. Thus it should serve players with both colours.

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Play the Trompowsky AttackPlay the Trompowsky Attack
by Dmitry Kryakvin 264 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

With the efforts of Magnus Carlsen, the ancient attack 2.Bg5 has earned lately big popularity. The world champion posed problems in the Trompowsky to such opening experts as Vladimir Kramnik and Sergey Karjakin. He even employed the bishop sortie in the world title match against Karjakin. The early attack on the black knight does not allow the Nimzo, the Gruenfeld or the King's Indian, which all require from White deep theoretical knowledge in well trodden lines. The Trompowsky brings on the board fresh, creative and complex positions. The author bases his recommendations on his own tournament practice, with stern tests at a grandmaster level.
The book is aimed at a wide range of players.

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Bc4 Against the Open Games Bc4 Against the Open Games
by A. Delchev 248 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book offers a White repertoire against the Open Games. The reader will find the first deep investigation of the modern treatment of the Italian Game and the Bishop's Opening. The variations you will find in the book greatly differ from anything published so far. Delchev shares his analyses and 25 years of experience without holding back important novelties and whole new plans. His result in classical time controls has been + 30 = 7 –3 so far!

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Play 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6! Play 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6!
by Alexei Kornev 304 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

A Black repertoire based on the QGD. All the opening variations for Black have been chosen according to the latest fashion in the games of the top-class grandmasters. For example, after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5, Kornev analyses a line which has been played often in the last several years by Vladimir Kramnik – 4..Nxd5, with which Black avoids several rather passive schemes, arising after the move 4...exd5. Following 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 0–0 6.e3, he has chosen as an opening weapon for Black the move 6...Nbd7, which is used not only by the acting World Champion Magnus Carlsen, but also by almost all the participants in the Candidates tournament – 2018. Finally, in response to one of the main weapons for White against the Queen’s Gambit Declined – 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 0–0 7.e3, Kornev analysed a variation, which has been lately preferred by Vishy Anand and Vladimir Kramnik – 7...Nbd7, after which Black does not need to know so much theory as in the Tartakower-Makogonov-Bonda­revsky system (7...b6). In addition, this line is not such a brutal attempt to play for a draw with Black as the Lasker Defence – (7...Ne4).

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A Practical Black Repertoire with d5, c6A Practical Black Repertoire with d5, c6. Volume 2: The Caro-Kann
by Alexei Kornev. 352 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The new work of grandmaster Alexei Kornev offers the readers of Chess Stars Publishing a full repertoire for Black in two volumes, based on the moves ...d7-d5 followed up by ...c7-c6.
Volume 2 deals in depth with the Caro-Kann Defence 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 and various deviations for White as 1.e4 c6 2.d3; 2.Nc3; 2.c4. This part also analyses rare systems where White leaves the main roads, but Black remains true to the spirit of his conception for the centre, for instance, 1.c4 c6, 1.Nf3 d5...
The Slav-Caro-Kann connection allows Black to sidestep many opening variations. For example, after 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 he simply goes 2...c6, avoiding the main line of the Veresov System which arise after 2...Nf6 3.Bg5. In the London System after 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3, Black could directly exchange on d4 - 3...cxd4 4.exd4, obtaining a harmless sideline of the Caro-Kann - 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bf4.

Alexei Kornev is the author of the following well acclaimed books: A Practical Black Repertoire with Nf6, g6, d6 (based on the King's Indian and the Pirc), Rossolimo and Friends. A Complete Repertoire vs. the Sicilian, A Practical White Repertoire with 1.d4 and 2.c4.

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See Index of Variations


The London System Fighting the London System
by Kiril Georgiev 196 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book presents a Black repertoire against the opening hit of the year – the London System, which arises after 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4. The author also covers various move orders with 2.Nf3 or 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 c5. Kiril Georgiev analyses several different set-ups for Black so the book would be of help to White players, too.

Grandmaster Kiril Georgiev has been the strongest Bulgarian player for many years. He was a Junior World Champion and a bronze medalist in Europe. He has played in 15 Olympiads and also coached Bulgarian national team. His peak rating was in the world's top ten. Kiril has been one of the best blitz players and took the bronze at the first World Blitz Championship in Saint John, having eliminated Kasparov. He wrote the books The Sharpest Sicilian and Squeezing the Gambits.

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The SlavA Practical Black Repertoire with d5, c6. Volume 1: The Slav
by Alexei Kornev, 308 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

In Volume 1 Kornev's choice of arms against 1.d4 d5 2.c4 is one of the most popular openings in modern chess practice - the Slav Defence. Besides, he considers in detail how to meet opening set-ups where after 1.d4 d5 White refrains from an early c2-c4: 2.Bg5, as well as 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 and 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3. Another topic is the ever growing in popularity The London System (2.Bf4 and 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4).

Kornev does not confine himself to dry variations, he also aptly explains the ideas behind them. Thus his book should serve a wide range of players - from club amateurs, up to grandmasters. The Slav-Caro-Kann connection allows Black to sidestep many opening variations. For example, after 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 he simply goes 2...c6, avoiding the main line of the Veresov System which arise after 2...Nf6 3.Bg5. In the London System after 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3, Black could directly exchange on d4 - 3...cxd4 4.exd4, obtaining a harmless sideline of the Caro-Kann - 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bf4.

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The HedgehogThe Hedgehog vs the English/Reti
by Igor Lysyj and Roman Ovetchkin, 444 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

In the last five years we have been observing a noticeable trend of the chess elite to evade the warn off central pawns moves 1.e4 and 2.d4 in favour of 1.c4 and 1.Nf3. Naturally, lower ranked players eagerly followed in the leader's footsteps - indeed not only Carlsen and Kramnik tired of struggling against the Berlin wall or exhausting themselves in futile attempts to refute the Gruenfeld.
This book offers to meet the new challenges to Black by building an English Hedgehog formation. The authors not only recommend a contemporary move order after the ditch has been set, but they also explain how to reach this goal since White's first moves. The book is all the more convincing as it is based on the successful practical experience of one of the authors.

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The Spanish Main RoadAttacking the Flexible Sicilian
by Vassilios Kotronias and Semko Semkov, 404 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book presents a full repertoire against open Sicilians with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6. It advocates the modern set-up with Bc1-e3 and Qd1-f3 against the Taimanov, an innovative treatment of the Keres Attack, 5.c4 against the Kan. The authors develop many new plans for White, relying on their chess instincts and original analysis.
GM Vassilios Kotronias is ten-time champion of Greece and a famous theoretician. His peak rating so far was 2628 in 2008.
Semko Semkov played for Bulgaria in one Olympiad. He is a chess journalist and theoretician. He has authored The Most Flexible Sicilian, Kill K.I.D., Attacking the English/Reti, and other books.

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The Spanish Main RoadA Practical Black Repertoire with Nf6, g6, d6 Volume 1 English, Pirc, Reti and Other Defences
by Alexei Kornev , 376 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

In this volume we consider the Pirc Defence (Chapters 10-27). It has definite advantages in comparison to other openings. At first, it has not been analysed so thoroughly, since the White fans of 1.e2-e4 devote the lion's share of their time to study the Sicilian Defence and the Open Games. Secondly, Black can play not only to equalise, but he can also count on seizing the initiative. This is particularly important in tournaments played under the Swiss System in which you must strive for a win irrelevant of the colour of your pieces.
Besides the Pirc, we analyse in the first part of the book all possible set-ups in which White refrains from the moves 1.e4 and 1.d4, namely: 1.f4, 1.b3, 1.b4 (Chapter 1), 1.Nf3 (Chapter 2), 1.c4 (Chapters 3, 4). The second part of the book (Chapters 5-9) is devoted to opening schemes in which White does play 1.d4, but then he does not follow up with c2-c4. This is the Trompowsky Attack (d4, Bg5) and the London System (d4, Nf3, Bf4). In response to these set-ups Black, as a rule, remains true to ...Nf6 and ...g6. The arising opening schemes are similar to the King's Indian Defence (see volume 2), or to the Pirc Defence. This should facilitate considerably the players to master their opening repertoire.

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The Spanish Main RoadA Practical Black Repertoire with Nf6, g6, d6 Volume 2: The King's Indian Defence
by Alexei Kornev , 380 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

In the second volume of the book “A Practical Repertoire for Black with Nf6, g6, d6” the author analyses variations in which White plays 1.d4, 2.c4. As Black’s weapon he suggests the King’s Indian Defence. This is not by chance, though... Most readers participate mainly in tournaments played under the Swiss system. One of the important features of these tournaments is that the draw is essentially a step backward in your tournament situation and you must play for a win irrelevant of the colour of your pieces. The King’s Indian Defence is the right opening choice for that. There is some strategic risk involved indeed (Black complies with a somewhat cramped position...), but all the middlegame positions are very complicated and allow Black to think not only about equality, but also about seizing the initiative. Kornev includes in his analyses numerous correspondence games which may be unknown to readers.

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The Spanish Main RoadAttacking the English/Reti A Black Repertoire with 1...e5/1...d5
by Alexander Delchev and Semko Semkov, 236 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book offers an active Black repertoire against The English Opening 1.c4, the Reti 1.Nf3, and their siblings that arise after 1.g3. The authors advocate for seizing space in the centre with ...c6 and d5, followed up by ...e4 or ...d4. They pay special attention on the ideas behind the moves, leaving the detailed coverage for the "Step by Step" sections.

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The Spanish Main RoadBf4 in the Queen’s Gambit and the Exchange Slav
by Alexey Dreev 288 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

Dreev analyses many different ways for White to fight for the opening advantage in two modern schemes, in the Slav Defence and in the Queen's Gambit Declined. His choice in the Slav Defence is the exchange variation, which is becoming more and more popular among the average level chess players, as well as at top level. It looked like Black could equalise, but lately White often managed to create problems for Black. By playing 3.cxd5, after the moves 1 d4 d5 2.c4 c6, White tries to obtain an advantage, but also avoids the main lines of the Slav Defence, which may arise following 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 dxc4. He also avoids some other very solid systems for Black like the Meran Variation or the Moscow Variation. The fight in the exchange variation is mostly in a positional key, without much risk, with the idea to obtain a minimal edge.
The other part of the book covers a variation of the Queen's Gambit with the move 5.Bf4. This modern line is a serious rival to the classical Queen's Gambit with the move 5.Bg5, in which White must consider at least the Makogonov – Bondarevsky system, which is quite reliable for Black. Dreev also deals in details with the very fashionable variation 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4, in which, if Black does not try to develop his bishop to the f5-square, White obtains an advantageous version of the Carlsbad variation.

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The Spanish Main RoadThe Spanish Main Road A Black Repertoire
by Evgeniy Solozhenkin 276 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The St. Petersburg grandmaster and coach Solozhenkin reveals the secrets of one of the most complex system of the Ruy Lopez - the Zaitsev Variation. It offers an optimal balance between safety and possibilities of imposing tangled fight. Mastering the Zaitsev Variation will improve the reader's understanding of chess in general since he would need good orientation in double-edged middlegames, but also fair endgame play. The book offers a complete Black repertoire, starting from 3...a6, and going up to the super-trendy Svidler Variation. On the basis of his vast experience of playing and teaching the Zaitsev system, Solozhenkin draws the conclusion that it is a reliable weapon for Black.
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Evgeniy Solozhenkin is an international grandmaster, champion of Leningrad and St. Petersburg, a winner of the team championships of Russia, France, Finland and many international tournaments.He is the director of the Russian North-western district's grandmaster school, and he is a Russian Chess Federation coach.

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The Safest ScandinavianThe Safest Scandinavian A Black Repertoire based on 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6
by Vassilios Kotronias 220 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book presents a Black repertoire based on the Scandinavian Defence with 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6. This is the safest yet aggressive queen retreat. It allows Black to increase pressure on d4 with ...0-0-0 or ...Rd8 while keeping coordination in the centre. Kotronias offers new plans for Black in the most topical lines. They are backed with deep analysis based on solid chess understanding.
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GM Vassilios Kotronias is ten-time champion of Greece and a famous theoretician. His peak rating so far was 2628 in 2008.

New!: Vassilios Kotronias sent an important update to his book The Safest Scandinavian. Download it from here:

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The Queen's Gambit AcceptedThe Queen's Gambit Accepted. A Black Repertoire
by A.Delchev and S. Semkov 244 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book presents a Black repertoire based on the QGA. The authors consider the Classical System with 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6, but they also offer alternative approaches – building up tension with 4...Bg4, and the destructive 4...a6 aimed at quick equalisation. They pay special attention on the ideas behind the moves, leaving the detailed coverage for the "Step by Step" sections. You'll also find advice against Queen's pawn openings where White refrains from 2.c4.
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Alexander Delchev is the European Grand Prix winner in 2004. He has played in many Olympiads for Bulgaria. His best Elo was 2669, current rating – 2604. Delchev is the author of The Most Flexible Sicilian, The Safest Sicilian, The Safest Grünfeld and The Modern Reti. Semko Semkov played for Bulgaria in one Olympiad. He is a chess journalist and theoretician. He has authored Kill K.I.D. and four other books.

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Caro-KannAttacking the Caro-Kann. . A White Repertoire
by Alexey Dreev, 236 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The advanced variation of the Caro-Kann Defence is a very good alternative to the classical variation 1.e4 с6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 (or 3.Nc3) dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 (4...Nd7). The theory after 3.e5 has developed extensively nowadays too; nevertheless, the positions of the advanced variation are considerably less studied than those in the classical lines, in which there is much less practical fight and much more a comparison of thorough theoretical erudition.
“My long-term experience in playing the Caro-Kann Defence with Black has shown to me that his problems in this variation are not easy to solve at all. The variation we analyse in this book often leads to non-standard situations on the board, so I would recommend it to players who are inclined to enter complicated and unusual positions and who hope to seize the initiative and to maintain it skilfully.” – writes Dreev.

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RossolimoRossolimo and Friends. . A Complete Repertoire vs. the Sicilian
by Alexei Kornev, 348 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

From the "Preface":
"Every chess player, who begins his games with the move 1.e2-e4, should be perfectly prepared to counter the move 1...c7-c5. Why is this opening so dangerous for White? The point is that in all the basic variations of the Sicilian Defence the fight is double-edged and often White risks at least as much as Black does. White is practically deprived of the possibility to simplify the position by numerous exchanges. In almost all the variations of the Sicilian Defence an enormous amount of theory has been amassed and not all the chess fans can afford to spend so much time and efforts in order to learn the endless variations in all the main lines.

Accordingly, when I began to write this book, I decided to choose systems which did not require phenomenal memory from the White player, but were based on sound positional basis.

The Rossolimo Attack and the Moscow variation are analysed in the first and the second part of this book and they both satisfy perfectly these criteria. As theoretical material they are not so huge as the Najdorf variation, the Chelyabinsk variation, or the Rauzer attack. On the other hand White’s play is very sound from the positional point of view. He wishes to develop his pieces as quickly as possible. He exchanges in numerous variations his light-squared bishop, which later may turn out to be “bad”, because White’s e4-pawn is placed on a square of the same colour.

In the third part of the book, numerous second moves for Black are analysed, besides 2...Nc6 and 2...d6 and no doubt, the most dangerous move for White is 2...e6. I have suggested as an opening weapon for him the quite modern move in the last several years – 3.g3. You should accept as a proof of its strength the fact that the actual World Champion M.Carlsen plays often like this."

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CozioThe Modern Vienna Game. 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3
by Roman Ovetchkin and Sergei Soloviov, 428 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

The Vienna set-up aims for very aggressive play, which often includes sacrifices, but White prefers to be on the safe side, without burning all the bridges and to try to justify his actions from the point of view of positional play as well. This is how this usually happens. At first, he deploys his minor pieces to active positions, then he advances the thematic move f4, castles (usually on the kingside) and begins an attack only after all this.

It may seem strange, but despite the fact that the move 2.Nc3 has been played for more than a hundred years, there has not been defined a clear-cut scheme for meeting this set-up. We had to make decisions how to play with White practically from the first several moves. Should he thrust immediately f4, or begin at first with d3? Should he advance his pawn to f5, or prefer a quick piece development? For example, after 2...Nf6 3.Bc4 Bc5, should White play at first d3, fortifying his e4-pawn? We have come to the conclusion that the move 4.f4!? is more precise. Still, after 4.f4 d6, there arises another question – 5.Nf3, or 5.d3? It often happens that there arise the same positions after these moves, but still, we had to analyse after which move White maintains a more convincing advantage if Black replies with the principled move 5...Ng4...

We should emphasize as a very positive moment that by choosing the Vienna Game, White follows his own line of playing. This does not happen after the move 2.Nf3 when Black can choose then between the numerous variations of the Ruy Lopez (or the rather solid Steinitz Defence Deferred, or the super-solid Berlin Wall, or the sharp Marshall Attack). In addition, Black can go for the seemingly peaceful Petroff Defence.

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CozioAnti-Spanish. The Cozio Defence
by Alexey Dreev, 212 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

Dreev offers a new look at the old system 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 Bb5 Nge7 which is one of the most challenging ways to combat the Spanish.

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DutchThe Leningrad Dutch An Active Repertoire Against 1.d4, 1.c4, 1.Nf3
by V.Malaniuk and P.Marusenko, 312 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

GM Malaniuk has been the main driving force behind the Leningrad Variation for decades. He has found many original plans which turned this branch of the Dutch into an active and dangerous weapon. White cannot enter dull and boring positions even if he insists on this. Therefore, it is often used when Black wishes to play for a win, particularly in decisive games. The book also offers a repertoire against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3.

GM Malaniuk was a regular participant of the Soviet championships between 1983 and 1991 and three-time Ukrainian champion. He has two Olympic medals with Ukraine. IM Marusenko is a professional journalist and editor.

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A Practical White Repertoire with 1.d4 and 2.c4. Volume 3: The Nimzo-Indian and Other Defences
by Alexei Kornev 400 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

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The Most Flexible SicilianThe Most Flexible Sicilian
by A.Delchev and S. Semkov 340 pages Available for Ipad, Android and Windows

This book is a follow up of The Safest Sicilian. It offers a repertoire based on 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6. This time It covers both the Taimanov and the Kan. The pawn structures are almost identical so many ideas work in both variations. At the same time the different move order offers subtleties which may turn decisive for the outcome of the opening battle. Delchev believes that the Sicilian players should know the full range of set-ups after 2...e6. That would allow to choose the most unpleasant system against any particular opponent. For instance, if the White player is narrowly specialised in the English Attack, you may choose to delay ...Nc6. This approach effectively discourages White's set-up with Be3. It is also very good against the fans of an early f4 or the fianchetto with g3.

The book is divided on several parts: playing against Be2; against f4; g3; the third rank set-up Be3+Bd3; the English Attack; the hedgehog structures. Every part begins with a chapter named "Pros and Cons" which discuses the main ideas of the Taimanov and the Kan approaches and offers advice what to choose. The next chapters "Step by Step" present detailed theory. Finally a chapter "Complete Games" offers deep annotations to important games.

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Kramnik3The Petroff: an Expert Repertoire for Black
by Konstantin Sakaev, 292 pages

In this book the reader will find an opening repertoire for Black against 1. e4, based on the Petroff Defence and designed to be used up to the highest level. For many years this opening has served as the main black weapon for chess giants as Vladimir Kramnik and Boris Gelfand.
The Petroff Defence is especially suitable for positionally-oriented players who like to obtain a solid and reliable game after the opening. The theoretical material in the book has been thoroughly prepared and systematized. The many new ideas and novelties have all been explained in a way designed to make it easier for the reader to understand and employ them in his own games.

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Kornev2The Modern Anti-Sicilian.
by Sergei Soloviov. 552 pages. Available for Ipad and Android

This hefty book offers the results of S.Soloviov's ten-year-long investigation of a nearly virgin territory of chess theory – 1.e4 c5 2.a3. This is a more flexible version of the Sicilian Gambit with 2.b4 as the play often takes original courses. One of the most principled retorts is 2...Nc6 3.b4! cxb4 4.axb4 Nxb4 5.d4 d5 6.c3 Nc6 7.exd5 Qxd5 8.Na3!. The unfamiliar with this position will quickly lose it. The rest – they avoid it! The game is often over in 5 moves. This surprise weapon is used by grandmasters Bezgodov, Dobrov, Sh.Mamedyarov, T.L.Petrosian, K.Chernyshov, Ermenkov.

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Kornev2A Practical White Repertoire with 1.d4 and 2.c4. Volume 2: The King's Fianchetto Defences
by Alexei Kornev Available for Ipad and Android

 

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SamischThe Ultimate Anti-Grünfeld. A Sämisch Repertoire.
by Dmitry Svetushkin, 232 pages. Available for Ipad and Android

By playing 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3, White kills three birds with one shot. First of all, this is a natural way of seizing space. The second merit of 3.f3 is that it throws the Grünfeld fans out of their main repertoire. The third point is that it allows White to delay the development of his queen’s knight. While in most systems its natural stand is on c3, against ...c5 plans it may go to d2 or a3, leaving c3 free for the other knight. Of course, Black can also choose the King’s Indian. Then the Sämisch is probably the most straightforward and natural answer. White’s result in this particular branch (without 3.Nc3) is above 60%! Higher than any other system against the K.I.D.
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GM Dmitry Svetushkin is one of the best Moldovan players. His current rating is 2608. He learned chess at 5, at 12 he was already winning national championships for kids. Svetushkin played in 6 Olympiads and at the last one scored "+6" - an all-time record for his team. He works a lot with V.Bologan and coaches young talents.

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Kornev1A Practical White Repertoire with 1.d4 and 2.c4. Volume 1: The Queen's Gambit
by Alexei Kornev Available for Ipad and Android

Excerpts from the intro:
"Sooner or later every chess player faces the problem of building his or her opening repertoire. This is particularly difficult when you play with White, since you need to be well prepared against all of Black’s possible responses. However, most players, including the author, have no inclination to devote all their time to studying opening variations. Therefore, we have decided not to cover 1.e2-e4.

As our main opening weapon for White we have chosen the closed openings arising after 1.d2-d4, in which an understanding of chess and a knowledge of the typical resources in the middle game and the endgame are often much more important than a detailed knowledge of a large number of variations. We have analysed the most straightforward possibilities for White, generally based on the development of the knight to c3 and the fastest possible occupation of the centre with pawns. More...

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BenoniDreev vs. the Benoni
by Alexey Dreev, 268 pages. Available for Ipad and Android

The Benoni Defence can be divided into two main structures, which are very different in concept: the Modern Benoni, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 and the Czech (or Old) Benoni 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 which is much less dynamic. This book deals with both systems. Black can reach the main line of the Modern Benoni in either of two ways: 2...c5 3.d5 e6, or 2...e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 еxd5. Dreev shows the best move orders which allow White to reach the same main tabia with e4,Bd3,h3. Dreev: "In this book I have analysed all Black’s possible responses that deserve attention and in a great many variations I have suggested promising possibilities for White which are new to theory."
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Alexey Dreev is one of world's best experts on the Benoni. His previous books, published by Chess Stars, are My One Hundred Best Games, The Moscow & Anti-Moscow Variations and The Meran & Anti-Meran Variations. Dreev was twice World junior champion (under 16) in 1983 and 1984, silver medalist under 20 in 1984, European champion under 20 in 1988. With the Russian team, he was three times Olympic gold medalist and once he got the silver, he also won two times the World team championship – in 1997 and 2005. European champion for 2012 in rapid chess.

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Sharpest 2012The Sharpest Sicilian 2012
by Kiril Georgiev and Atanas Kolev Available for Ipad and Android

Five years after the first edition, the book was completely rewritten and redesigned. While remaining true to the original structure, this new edition underwent major changes.
The most notable one is the section devoted on the variation 6.Be3 e5. It was divided on two separate parts for the retreats 7.Nf3 and 7.Nb3. Both of them are totally new. For instance, Black's repertoire against 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 is now based on the topical 8...h5 where the authors analyse original new plans.
The Poisoned Pawn section has also been considerably changed to reflect the new discoveries in the 7.f4 h6 line.
The Fianchetto system now considers 6...e5, together with 6.g3 e6.
The 6.f4 system has been enriched with 6...Qc7 while retaining 6...e5 as a main repertoire.
6.a4 is now met by 6...e5, instead of 6...Nc6.
The rare systems also underwent a major update due to the increased popularity of lines like 6.h3 and 6.Qf3.
The book now includes games played until 25.09.2012.

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Anand14Opening for White According to Anand 1.e4, vol. 14
by Alexander Khalifman

This is the last volume of the epic series. It covers the Najdorf with 6...e5 and 6...Ng4.

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OpenThe Open Games For Black
A complete black repertoire with 1.e4 e5 against everything except the Ruy Lopez
by Igor Lysyj and Roman Ovetchkin Available for Ipad and Android

Igor Lysyj: "In this book I have presented all my analyses and my discoveries during the World Cup 2011. I believe that it will be useful for chess players at all levels to study them, together with the excellent annotations and explanations of Roman Ovetchkin."

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BerlinThe Berlin Defence
by Igor Lysyj and Roman Ovetchkin Available for Ipad and Android

Igor Lysyj: "In this book Roman Ovetchkin and I have decided to illustrate the theoretical section with model games and thorough analysis of these will undoubtedly help the reader to gain a better grasp of the finer points of this system and orientate himself among the enormous amount of information available."

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BogoThe French Defence Reloaded
by Nikita Vitiugov Available for Ipad and Android

This completely updated edition presents a Black repertoire based on the French.
Here are Vitiugov's own words:
"I received, quite unexpectedly, many comments and opinions following the publication of my first book on the French Defence. These were quite varied, both in form and content. There were renowned experts, who pointed out that some of the variations were not analyzed to perfection. Some meticulous readers looked for, and found (!), possibilities for both sides, which I had omitted in several important, and even not so important, lines. There were people who criticized my rather ambitious concept, according to which I tried to present the opening the way I saw it, instead of just following the branches of the database. However, there were also some appreciative comments.
Chess develops so rapidly that writing a book devoted to opening theory which will be valid for a long period of time is "mission impossible" nowadays. What was fashionable a year ago quickly becomes outdated, while some dead and forgotten variations rise from the ashes. Nevertheless, I believe that the foundations which I laid eighteen months ago can be enriched with new variations and ideas, while the essence remains the same."

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retiThe Modern Reti. An Anti-Slav Repertoire
by Alexander Delchev, 212 pages Available for Ipad and Android

This book presents a repertoire against 1...d5, based on the Reti: 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 when Delchev considers both 2...c6 and 2...e6. It offers mostly original analysis and examines plans and variations that have never been covered so far. The book follows Chess Stars trademark structure with 3 chapters in every part. Read the "Main Ideas" sample of Part 8 below. You'll also find the Intro, Contents and Index of Variations.

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Update! Our reader Reinhold Thiele has refuted a variation from The Modern Reti. Read his letter.


Kramnik 4Opening for White According to Kramnik vol.4 Second Edition
by Alexander Khalifman

This is the last volume of this series.

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