Chess Stars Publishing

by Atanas Kolev and Trajko Nedev, April 2008, 240 pages

The book presents a Black repertoire with 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6, based on the most aggressive Sveshnikov lines. It also covers The Rossolimo (3 Bb5) and Alapin (3 c3). The material is up-to-date to April 10. The authors propose major novelties in practically all topical lines. The repertoire avoids solid, but passive variations. They are left for backup lines while the authors' recommendation goes for the most challenging options. "Currently I do not see any serious theoretical problems for Black" claims Kolev in the foreword. In the Rossolimo the authors also share completely new ideas, developed by them. More details »

Contents

Opening for White According to Kramnik, volume 2 Second Edition, NEW!!!

by Alexander Khalifman, April 2008, 352 pages

This is a completely new book, which comes to replace the first edition of 2001. It covers the Black Knights’ Tango, Romanishin Variation, Queen’s Indian English, Hedgehog Defence English, Double Fianchetto Defence, Semi-Tarrasch Defence. More details »

Contents

The Queen's Gambit Accepted, Third Edition, NEW!!!

by Sakaev and Semkov, January 2008, 256 pages

A brand new edition of the book, devoted to a super reliable opening, suitable for all players up to the level of world champions. More details »

Preface

Opening for White According to Anand 10

by Alexander Khalifman, December 2007, 192 pages

The latest book of the grand opening saga is devoted mostly to the Sveshnikov system.
"My work with this book was a rather complicated task by itself. My colleagues asked me often (sometimes ironically, sometimes with genuine interest) whether I had managed to refute the Chelyabinsk variation and when that refutation would be published? Here, I must admit: no, I have not refuted the Chelyabinsk variation. Frankly speaking, I have not even tried to do that. As far as my experience and my understanding of chess are concerned, Black’s opening set-up has a sound strategical basis and it can never be refuted outright. Having that in mind, I decided to try something different and that was to systematize the amassed material and knowledge and to point out the most unpleasant lines for Black." - writes Khalifman. "I have not tried to change radically any theoretical evaluations, but I have managed to discover some new ideas and I have to tell you that Black will need to solve difficult problems after them."

See Contents

A Chess Library for Practical Players. The Endgame

by Marat Makarov , 180 pages

The author Marat Makarov is a Grandmaster and he has been practicing as a coach for more than 20 years. Among his pupils is the champion of USSR and Russia WGM Julia Demina.

"It was a great pleasure for me to work with this wonderful book. It includes more than 300 skillfully selected endgame positions, which are of immense value for the practical player. It looks like you can encounter them in every tournament and I myself learned a lot from that book, while translating it. I believe this work is a necessity for every chess player’s library and it will ensure for you plenty of well-deserved points in your chess games." GM Evgeny Ermenkov

Gambits How Well Do I Play Chess. Gambits

by Vsevolod Kostrov, 88 pages

Chess Stars Publishing presents the famous series of test games “How Well Do I Play Chess”. The books “Open Games”, “Semi-Open Games”, and “Gambits”, have been printed in more than 50,000 copies in Russia. The author – Vsevolod Kostrov from St. Petersburg – has been coaching young talents for 20 years. Whole generations of Russian players have grown up on his books.

“Children often ask their coaches, or their parents “How well do I play chess?” We will help young players answer that question themselves, and we will improve their level of play in the process.” That is the point of Kostrov’s books – he teaches by involving the element of competition. A chess set, a pen and sheet of paper - that's all the reader needs to measure his chess strength against the Russian standards, and learn basic opening theory at the same time.

See a sample>>

Open How Well Do I Play Chess. Open Games

by Vsevolod Kostrov, 88 pages

How Well Do I Play Chess. Semi-Open Games

by Vsevolod Kostrov, 88 pages

My One Hundred Best Games NEW !!!

by Alexey Dreev, 300 pages + colour photos

Alexey Dreev is one of the most popular contemporary Russian grandmasters. He 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. He was twice World junior champion and three times Olympic gold medalist. Dreev played in the match Russia-Rest of the world in 2002, won the World team championships in 1997 and 2005. Dreev starts the first chapter with the following words:

"I have chosen and commented on 100 games for this book. I have played them in a period of more than 20 years. These games are so different from each other that there will be some to everybody’s liking – there are sacrifices, there are quiet moves, there are sharp tactical games as well as tough positional fights. You can also find instructive examples of how to play in the various stages of the game. In general, I have devoted a great attention to the openings and my comments about them are from the point of view of the contemporary theory.
A chess professional’s life is not only the games played over the board. You go to different countries, you visit various continents; you see picturesque places and ancient towns and you come into contact with chess-fans all over the world. In my notes to some of the games, I have shared with my readers (as much as the size of the book allows) my impressions of these journeys and encounters.
While working on the story of my first steps in chess, it was as if I re-lived again everything I came through during all these times. Naturally, my memory is not perfect. I have had to omit many things also because this book is not an autobiography, it is not memoirs, and it is supposed to be a collection of games. Still I tried to tell in earnest about my development as a player, about my problems and hardships (some of them due to the surroundings and some of them just personal). I have shared with my readers my joy about my victories in my first tournaments and I have told about people who have helped me and to whom I owe my deepest gratitude..."