The Endgame
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
Opening for White according to Anand 10
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."
My One Hundred Best Games
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..."
Opening for White according to Anand 9
In this volume 14th world champion Khalifman continues the analysis of the Sicilian Defence. The first part covers variations arising after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 and especially the Kalashnikov. In answer to 2...Nc6, just like after the majority of the basic lines, he recommends the most principled answer for White – 3.d4.
Parts 2 and 3 deal with systems arising after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6. In the basic tabia of the Paulsen system 5.Nc3 Qc7 Khalifman advocates the aggressive set-up, which has become nowadays an almost universal plan in numerous lines of the Sicilian Defence. It includes Be3, followed by Qd2, castling long and a kingside attack. All that is too schematic, since Black has numerous plans at his disposal, but the author believes that White can rely on obtaining the advantage thanks to several very important original novelties and principally new ideas in the main lines.
The Sharpest Sicilian
This ambitious book aims to arm you with a complete repertoire against 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3. It is based on the Najdorf system with Black employing the ...e5 approach against most major choices of White. The only exception is the open fianchetto variation 6.g3, where 6...e6 is the main line. Chapters about the English Attack 6.Be3 and the Classical 6 Be2 as well as 6.a4 are written by grandmaster Atanas Kolev. He has played many times for Bulgarian Olympic team. He also worked as a coach of Bulgarian women’s team. His current Elo is 2538. The rest of the book is a work of grandmaster Kiril Georgiev. He has been for 20 years in the chess elite with rating above 2650, currently 2661. He participated in 12 Olympiads, mostly as Bulgarian first board. In 2006 he took the bronze at the European championship.
The book follows the structure of another Chess Stars publication – The Safest Sicilian. Every system is examined in a separate part which contains three chapters. While “Quick Repertoire” provides only vital information, that you need to start playing the variation, “Step by Step” is the reference chapter with all branches covered in depth. The “Complete Games” chapters include altogether 50 commented games which display typical ideas or pawn structures. You’ll find a lot of original analysis on the most critical positions of the Najdorf. The material is up-to-date to February 10 2007.
Opening for White according to Anand 8
The first part of the book analyzes some seldom played lines on move two for Black. The author devotes special attention to 2…b6, which is in fact much better than its reputation as well as to the Nimzovic – Rubinstein system 2…Nf6, in answer to which Khalifman recommends 3.Nc3, after which the game usually transposes to the main lines in most of the cases.
The second part of this book is devoted entirely to the O’Kelly system - 2…a6. It is worth mentioning that although it is a rare guest in the serious tournaments, it is frequently played in blitz games (including in Internet too). The author recommends 3.c3, which in the majority of cases leads to not so typical Sicilian positions, but the move a7-a6 often turns out to be just a loss of time.
The third part of the book deals with some rarely played lines after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4. Systems like 2…e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6 (4…Bc5) as well as the Sicilian attack (2…e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4) require from White exact knowledge of long forced lines.
Finally, the fourth part of this book is devoted to the Paulsen-Kann system (2…e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6). This variation is regularly played by Svidler, Ivanchuk, Kamsky, Rublevsky, Smirin and many other strong grandmasters and it is one of the really popular lines of the Sicilian Defence. That system has the reputation of being like the “Najdorf system” but for the lazy players: on the one hand you can obtain a dynamic position with various available resources to seize the initiative and on the other hand it requires considerably less concrete knowledge of forced variations unlike the Najdorf system.
Khalifman recommends to White to counter it with 5.Bd3, after which there arises a “hedgehog” pawn-structure in the majority of cases. The order of moves is often not so important in that pawn-structure, but you must have an excellent idea about the possible plans for you and your opponent. The author has found plenty of new and fresh ideas in the most popular variation nowadays - 5.Bd3 Bc5 which doubtlessly will be of special interest for the reader.
Opening for White According to Kramnik 1.Nf3 Volume 1a Second edition 2006
The first volume of the extremely popular series "Opening for White According to Kramnik" was published six years ago. Now 14th world champion Alexander Khalifman presents the audience with two entirely new books.
Volume 1a covers the Old Indian Defence, Anti-Gruenfeld, and less popular lines of the King’s Indian Defence.
The first part analyses 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.d4, where Black delays the development of his bishop to g7, or prepares it for another deployment altogether, for example after e7-e5 and Bf8-e7. These opening set-ups have long had the reputation of being solid, but with not so good prospects for Black.
The second part deals with 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 where Black follows up with 3…d5. Thus he emphasizes that he does not intend to play the KID and he invites his opponent to enter the main lines of the Gruenfeld Defence. White counters however with 4.Qa4+!? facing the opponent with difficult problems while turning the Gruenfeld out of question.
In the third part of this book Khalifman begins to analyze the King’s Indian Defence, starting with some currently offbeat lines. Its main and most fashionable variations are so complex and strategically independent that Khalifman singled them out in the separate volume 1b.
Opening for White According to Kramnik 1.Nf3 Volume 1b Second edition 2006
This book is devoted to the contemporary variations of the classical system of the King’s Indian Defence. The author classifies into that group the lines in which after: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.d4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0, Black plays 7...exd4, 7...Na6, or 7...Nc6.
This definition might seem to you to be a bit unusual, but I believe Black’s hopes to obtain a good counterplay are based mostly on these variations, in which the opening theory is developing most intensely.
Finally, the last and of course the main part of our book is devoted to the variations with the move 7...Nc6. It is worth mentioning that mostly thanks to the efforts of Vladimir Kramnik during the second half of the 90ies of the last century – the system with: 8.d5 Ne7 9.b4,became extremely fashionable and especially the variation: 9...Nh5 10.Re1. Meanwhile, the greatest contribution to the theory of that system we owe to several games between Kramnik and Topalov. If we have in mind – there will be a unification – match in the autumn of 2006 between these two players, this book is coming out of print as if at the best possible moment! We should not be surprised if these two adversaries might decide to relive the past and to test in practice the newest discoveries of the opening theory and the new original analyses collected on these pages?!
An Expert's Guide to the 7.Bc4 Gruenfeld
In his new book GM Sakaev analises all major systems after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4. He also pays considerable attention to unusual, but tricky schemes as 7...0-0 8.Ne2 Qd7 and 8...Nc6. The author shows how Black could equalise when White deviates from the most testing variations, like in the case of 7...ñ5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 and now 10.Rc1 or 10.Rb1. Of course the focus of the book is on the topical position which arises after 7...ñ5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0. The readers will find a detailed explanation and analysis of all reasonable continuations with Sakaev's recommendations where to look for an advantage. The author reveals some very promising novelties on the main road of his favourite variation.
Sakaev's work is oriented partially to represent the point of view of White and it is intended to help players create problems for Black in the Gruenfeld Defence. Still it would be interesting for the players who enjoy playing the Gruenfeld Defence with Black as well. This book has summarized the contemporary theory up to March 10 2006.
Opening for White according to Anand 7
From the preface by Khalifman:
You are holding in your hands volume seven of our series Opening for White according to Anand 1.e4, in which we have analyzed one of the most popular variations of the French Defence - the Winawer system (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4).
I will completely agree that the systems 3.e5 and 3.Nd2 have their advantages as well, but I am taking the responsibility to recommend to you to study and to play the most principled move for White and that is 3.Nc3. Well, I understand that the devotees to that active knight-move must know a lot of theoretical variations, but I can assure you,this move creates most of all problems for Black and it provides White with greatest chances to obtain an opening advantage.
I believe these short explanations are going to convince you that Black’s move 3...Bb4 disrupts immediately the natural balance on the board. He is ready to exchange a bishop for a knight; meanwhile White will have the kingside as his field for actions. Black will act on the queenside trying to exploit White’s weakened pawn-structure there.
In general, we can say that system, particularly after: 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3 6.bxc3, leads to quite complex fighting positions in which White’s chances are somewhat preferable. Still, he cannot play that variation relying just on common sense. White must know plenty of forced lines and the perfect place to find them is this book!
Opening for White according to Anand 6
From the preface by Khalifman:
You are holding in your hands volume sixt of our series Opening for White according to Anand 1.e4. This volume covers 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 de4, 3...Nf6 and other moves.
Whenever there are drawbacks to something, there are advantages to it as well. White’s space edge can be neutralized by timely undermining of his centre. Black’s light squared bishop can be exchanged at some moment, meanwhile there arises a question whether it is really so bad after all...? In fact, that same piece might become sometimes extremely unpleasant for White in case the position gets opened. Black is often perfectly capable to solve the problem of the safety of his king by a profound theoretical knowledge.
If I have to summarize, I will have to mention that the French Defence is a quite interesting and unique opening in which both opponents must solve difficult problems right after the very beginning of the game and most of these problems are characteristic only for that particular opening. Of course, it is absolutely necessary to know thoroughly the opening theory, but the all-round understanding of the arising pawn-structures and the complex strategy of that opening should combine with an extensive practical experience.
I hope the book will enrich your understanding of the French Defence too, because that opening has a special place in contemporary chess and quite deservedly so.
Opening for White according to Anand 5
This book is devoted to openings (to put it mildly?) rather exotic. In fact, most of the chess-professionals consider the systems that we have analyzed in this volume as simply incorrect. It is maybe the Alekhine Defence, which can be spared such definite evaluation, but this would be probably only due to the reputation of this outstanding chess-genius.
It is hardly worth denying that Black would eventually fail to equalize after moves like 1?a6, or 1...b6. Nevertheless... the chess-players, belonging to the older generations, definitely remember the famous game Karpov ? Miles (Skara 1980) 1.e4 a6 2.d4 b5 and?no, not 1?0 after 20 moves, but just the opposite ? after 15 moves Black was already slightly better, after 25 moves Miles was clearly dominant and White resigned on move 46. Many less experienced players have encountered opponents at club-level who solve their opening problems once and for all, by avoiding the endless complicated lines of the Ruy Lopez, or the Sicilian Defence and instead respond to 1.e4 with 1...Nc6 (1...b6, 1...a6, 1...Nf6) and take care only about all immediate refutation attempts? The author has written this book for these particular players with the hope that it might be really useful for them. I would not venture to guarantee you winning your games with White, but you are going to have the opening advantage ? be sure about that!
Opening for White according to Anand 4
The fourth book of the series is devoted to opening schemes, which arise after the moves 1.e4 d6, or 1.e4 g6. These systems have proved their right of existence, despite the numerous attempts to refute them once and for all. The positions are so diverse strategically and so rich tactically that they deserve a separate volume. Black avoids early clashes and narrows his ?sphere of influence? to only three ranks. However his harmonious development enables him to attack often White?s powerful centre successfully.
The 14th World Champion Khalifman recommends against the majority of the flank systems schemes with f2-f4 which provide additional control over the centre. He included in this fundamental work plenty of new and original analyses which surely will cause Black a lot of trouble!
Jose Raul Capablanca II - Games 1925-1939
This book of the CHESS STARS series is devoted to Jose Raul Capablanca, the third world champion. All Capablanca's tournament and match games, annotated by famous Grandmasters and Masters, are brought together in two volumes.
For the current Second Revised Edition we have commented again practically every encounter. We have also added 61 new exhibition games.
Jose Raul Capablanca I - Games 1901-1924
This book of the CHESS STARS series is devoted to Jose Raul Capablanca, the third world champion.
All Capablanca's tournament and match games, annotated by famous Grandmasters and Masters, are brought together in two volumes.
For the current Second Revised Edition we have commented again practically every encounter. We have also added 61 new exhibition games.
Opening for White according to Anand 3
The third volume of the popular series "Opening for White according to Anand -1.e4" deals with the Caro-Kann Defence. It has the reputation as the opening of the chess-academics.
Capablanca, Botvinnik, Petrosian and Karpov - this list of great chess-champions that have been life-long devotees of the Caro-Kann Defence can be easily extended.
The reliability of that opening has been proven in a period of decades and presently in the 21 century, the Caro-Kann Defence is enjoying its second (third..., fourth...?) youth.
The first part covers some rare systems like 1.e4 c6 2.d4 g6.
The next three parts are devoted to the main Caro-Kann lines.
The final chapters examine the Scandinavian Defence which is definitely one of the neglected sidelines of the contemporary opening theory.
However matters are in fact far from simple and the widespread opinion that after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5, White obtains the advantage as he pleases happens to be quite far from the truth.
14th World Champion Khalifman shares with the readers plenty of interesting discoveries and sometimes surprising results of his deep analytical work.
Super Tournaments 2003
Contains 175 extensively commented games of world?s best players Kasparov (12), Kramnik (35), Ponomariov (25), Anand (35), Leko (22) with annotations by the top-rated players:
Khalifman (Elo 2674, 14th FIDE World Champion), Shipov (2593), Yevseev(2580), Bezgodov (2550), S. Ivanov (2544), M. Golubev (2527), Beim (2518), Vlassov (2476), Notkin (2471)
Detailed surveys of the strongest tournaments of 2003, crosstables, interviews.
Challenging the Sicilian with 2.a3!?
This book of the series "Chess Stars Openings" is devoted to the enterprising and quite original and unexplored possibility for White - 1.e4 c5 2.a3!?
The strong practical players who do not have time or desire to go into long theoretical Sicilian battles can try to enrich their opening repertoire with this remarkable system.
It cannot be refuted by any encyclopedia or database. In fact the author of the book has practically invented a new and quite interesting opening.
His suprising ideas and thorough analyses require considerable precision from Black.
It is a remarkable phenomenon that such rare lines based on solid positional basis often yield much better practical results than the well tested routine main lines.
Rare and original variations are just super effective in blitz too.
You might remember that Bobby Fischer used to say that the opening theory was developing so extensively that it was worth considering thinking about starting the game from a random position.
Most of the strongest contemporary players share the opinion that White has practically no serious advantage in any popular opening and the essence of the opening fight is to detect and to exploit the weak points of your opponent?s preparation.
This book will enrich you with plenty of new ideas and will eventually help you win a lot of beautiful victories. You can really hope to become a much better player having read it.
Opening for White according to Anand 1.e4 (vol.2)
This volume is devoted to the main lines of one of the most popular and interesting openings in chess theory - the Ruy Lopez.
The Queen's Gambit Accepted, Third Edition
A brand new edition of the book, devoted to a super reliable opening, suitable for all players up to the level of world champions.
With the combined efforts of Kasparov, Karpov, Anand, Ponomariov QGA presently reached the status of a super reliable opening, suitable for all players up to the level of world champions.
The authors digested all the available material up to 20.04.2005 and separated it into branches offering a move-by-move presentation of the main ideas according to the latest tournament tendencies.
A highly professional study by Grandmaster Konstantin Sakaev - one of the best players in the world with current rating of 2657. His trophy list includes 2 junior world titles and 2 gold olympic medals with the Russian team - in 1998 and 2000.
Opening for White according to Kramnik 1.Nf3 (vol.3)
This volume examines the Maroczy system, English Opening with 1...c5, Modern Defence, Dutch Defence and some rare lines.
Opening for White according to Kramnik 1.Nf3 (vol.2) 2d edition
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.
Opening for Black according to Karpov
If you are looking for a bulletproof repertoire for Black and like Caro-Kann, Nimzo-Indian, Queen's Indian, Catalan, English, this is the book for you!
Drawing on the premise that you do not need an Encyclopaedia, but rather a guide through the sea of variations, the ex-champion Khalifman offers you a clear vision how to reach reliable positions without having to invest tons of time for preparation.
The material is well organized and most energy is used on the most testing variations. The high quality of the advises and the concise, but accurate presentation makes the book a valuable tool for players of all levels.
Opening for White according to Anand 1.e4 (vol.1)
14th FIDE world champion Alexander Khalifman brings us the first in a multi-part series covering of Anand's weapons of choice.
Volume One examines various rare openings after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, but the focus is on the Petroff Defense and the Ruy Lopez without 3...a6.
Very topical (after the match Kasparov - Kramnik) is the Berlin Defense. A high-class opening study.
Alexander Alekhine. Games 1935-1946
We start offering for download in pdf-format books which have been sold out, but still enjoy demand. In less than 24 hours after paying, you'll get at your E-mail address the full pdf for your personal use.
The last of the three-volume set of Alexander Alekhine's tournament and match games. Includes many crosstables and 446 thoroughly analyzed in the well known Informator style games.
Alexander Alekhine. Games 1923-1934
The second of the three-volume set of Alexander Alekhine?s tournament and match games. Includes many crosstables and 485 thoroughly analyzed in the well known Informator style games.
The strong point of the book is the new look at the life's work of one of the greatest champions of the past.
Alexander Alekhine. Games 1902-1922
The first of the three-volume set of Alexander Alekhine?s tournament and match games.
Includes many crosstables and 464 thoroughly analyzed in the well known Informator style games. The strong point of the book is the new look at the life's work of one of the greatest champions of the past.
Super Tournaments 2002
This massive book brings together the five "super" tournaments held in 2002: Wijk aan Zee, Cannes, Linares, Dortmund and the FIDE world title match Ponomariov-Ivanchuk in Moscow.
ll 224 games are deeply annotated by top Russian grandmasters: 14th FIDE world champion Khalifman, Sakaev, Shipov, Goloshchapov, Golubev and Notkin. There are detailed surveys, crosstables, interviews and a most interesting sixteen-page insert of color photographs.
Leko's One Hundred Wins
Back in 1993 Peter Leko became the world's youngest grandmaster at the age of 14. Today he is to play against Kramnik a final qualifier for the new united chess title.The book of S. Soloviov traces the brilliant career of the Hungarian prodigy, suplying biographical notes, high-quality photos and most of all ? a superb chess content.
The annotators of the 100 selected games are famous Russian GMs as Khalifman, Shipov, Bezgodov, Goloshchapov, Sakaev, Solozhenkin and they did an excellent work. All this makes the new book of Chess Stars a very worthwhile addition to your chess collection.
Shirov's One Hundred Wins
Alexei Shirov is one of the most entertaining chess players in the world. He was the first ever to reach the 2700 level before the age of 20. Shirov created a great number of masterpieces that earned him a deserved fame of the king of attack of our days.
Like at the board, Shirov is quite fiery in his private life, moving from Riga to Spain, then to Poland only to return back to Riga with his last young wife, an outstanding chess player herself. However he retains his Spanish citizenship. Sergei Soloviov has put together a thorough biographical work featuring 100 games played and won by Shirov between 1990 and 2002. The excellent annotations are work of Khalifman, Sakaev, Speelman, Shipov, Motwani, Yudasin. A good selection of high-quality photos and a hardcover version make this book a fine acquisition for any chess fan.
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