I may be old-fashioned, but I keep using for my inspiration the treasure of the past. It does not make sense to speculate whether, for instance, Carlsen is stronger than Fischer or Korchnoi, as matches between players separated in time by so many decades are impossible. But this book aims to prove that some of the basic aspects of our game did not change over the generations. The same kind of brilliant ideas and mistakes are played again and again in specific situations. I actually launch an invitation to examine the games of the classics, featuring ideas thought over only by human brains, and by no means less deep than those used today. We all use computer assistance when preparing or writing, but at the chess board we are all alone with our opponent, so educating our mind to work along the classical values is essential.It is virtually impossible to write a "complete" chess course, as the general themes and examples to each of them are practically inexhaustible. But I hope that after studying the book the reader will feel enriched, technically and aesthetically. I remember my enthusiasm when receiving my first original copy of the Chess informant in 1987 (number 43) after having annotated some of my games from the Warsaw zonal tournament, ending in my first qualification to the Interzonal. Almost a third of a century has passed since then, but I am looking forward to hold this new book in my hands with no less excitement.
Practical Black Repertoire with d5, c6 Volume 1
This book is built on a clever, economical idea: combine the Slav and the Caro-Kann into a single ...d5/...c6 system, so that the same structures and plans serve you against almost everything White can open with. Learn one set of ideas and you are equipped against 1.d4, 1.c4, and 1.Nf3 alike.
The practical payoff is real. After 1.c4 Black can simply play 1...c6 without fearing 2.e4, and many of White’s most annoying tries — including London System lines — transpose into harmless, familiar Caro-Kann or Slav positions where Black already knows the plan. That overlap dramatically cuts the amount of theory you must carry.
Volume 1 covers the Slav complex in detail: the Exchange and main-line Slav, the various ...Bg4 and ...Bf5 set-ups, the Qb3 and g3 systems, and the sharp lines after 5.Bg5, all in the Chess Stars format of clear theory plus complete annotated games.
A solid, unified repertoire for club players and above who want a dependable, low-maintenance answer to the whole family of queen’s-pawn and flank openings, rather than memorising a separate defence for each.
After reading this book the reader will increase his or her knowledge of the typical and not-so-typical methods of play in the middlegame, become familiar with ideas of non-standard solutions to practical problems arising during the game and be able to apply this knowledge in his or her own games.
The Elephant Gambit is perhaps the boldest opening in all of chess theory. By meeting 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 with 2...d5!?, Black takes the fight to his opponent and aims to seize the initiative as early as possible. The Exhilarating Elephant Gambit offers a complete repertoire for Black, based on 3.exd5 Bd6 or 3.Nxe5 Bd6 4.d4 dxe4. In return for the sacrificed pawn, Black ensures himself of quick and active development with most of his pieces pointing menacingly towards the enemy kingside. Attacking and other tactical resources abound, with a future ...e4-e3 advance often mauling White’s position like an Elephant’s tusk. With original analysis of all variations and improvements against all published “refutations”, this book contains everything you need to shock, surprise and stampede your opponents.
Grandmaster Simon Williams was taught the English Opening at the age of six and 1.c4 was his weapon of choice until long after he became an International Master. For this new work, he teamed up with acclaimed theoretician International Master Richard Palliser to explore his old favourite. 1.c4 remains an excellent choice for the club and tournament player. This book focuses on the set-up popularised by the sixth world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik, the so-called Botvinnik formation with 2.Nc3, 3.g3, 4.Bg2, 5.e4 and 6.Nge2. This system is compact but still aggressive and rewards an understanding of plans and strategies rather than rote memorisation of moves. In Opening Repertoire: The Iron English leading chess authors Simon Williams and Richard Palliser guide the reader through the complexities of this dynamic variation and carves out a repertoire for White. They examine all aspects of this highly complex opening and provide the reader with well-researched, fresh, and innovative analysis. Each annotated game has valuable lessons on how to play the opening and contains instructive commentary on typical middlegame plans.
The Modern Defence is an opening that will appeal to player of an experimental nature. Black allows White to establish an apparently impressive position in the centre. The plan is to use this structure as a target – it will be restrained, undermined and eventually destroyed. When this plan works it can succeed beautifully but, naturally, if Black’s play is inaccurate there is a danger of being overwhelmed. For this reason a thorough understanding of the intricacies of this opening is essential. Opening Repertoire: The Modern Defence examines all aspects of this highly complex opening and provides the reader with well-researched, fresh, and innovative analysis. Each annotated game has valuable lessons on how to play the opening and contains instructive commentary on typical middlegame plans. The suggested lines for Black are based around the very latest games and analysis.
The Dragon is one of the most thrilling chess openings and a favorite of attacking players. This volume deals with the 9.0–0–0 variation of the Yugoslav Attack, along with the Classical and White’s various other tries.
In this book, German-English Grandmaster Mieses has selected 100 fascinating endgame compositions by several of the greatest endgame composers of the age, such as Kubbel, Rinck, Troitzky, the Platov Brothers and many more from the classic period of chess up to the conclusion of World War 1.
The material is split into eight chapters, covering all types of endgames.
All of the studies and the analysis have been re-examined by Carsten Hansen, adding a fascinating new perspective to these classic compositions.
There is lots of exciting material to examine and learn from for dedicated students.
The King’s Indian Defense has a reputation as a sharp combative opening where Black aims to attack on the kingside, usually through a pawn storm supported by heavier artillery.
Meet the Makogonov Variation!
In this line of the King’s Indian, it is frequently Black who will be the target of White’s aggression. Black’s standard plans usually result in either a passive position with little hope of counterplay or facing down a kingside attack by White. In this work, you will find forty-six thoroughly analyzed main games with lots of explanations and additional analysis as well as a 'Quick Repertoire' that will allow you to play the opening in your games after a minimal amount of study time. It is time to take your opponents out of their comfort zone and right into yours!
A Star is Born
Dominating the Candidates in Cyprus in unprecedented fashion, 20-year-old Javokhir Sindarov earned the right to challenge World Champion Gukesh (19) in the youngest world title match ever. Vaishali Rameshbabu emerged as the winner in the Women’s Candidates.
Interview: Javokhir Sindarov
‘I have become a really good professional chess player.’
Interview: Roman Vidonyak
‘Compared to training in other sports, we are still in the Paleolithic Age.’
Prague Masters
Unruffled by Jorden van Foreest’s explosive tournament start, Nodirbek Abdusattorov retained his focus on his own play and pipped the Dutchman at the post.
Tournament Roundup
Boris Gelfand looks at recent games from around the world.
In memoriam Jan Timman
‘Being with Jan was always a comforting moment outside of time. Those playful smiles of his, the gestures, the sovereign calm.’
‘Far out, isn’t it?’
Erwin l’Ami remembers Jan Timman.
Jan’s Saga
Helgi Olafsson writes about Jan Timman’s warm ties with Iceland.
Three Timman Treats
Jacob Aagaard selected three fine Timman wins from different periods of his long career.
A Huge Appetite for Life
Jon Speelman misses a charming warrior.
Timman’s Combinations
Fair & Square
Peter Heine Nielsen’s brief review of Untold: Chess Mates.
Eze’s Edge
NIC’s Café
Erling Haaland thinks ‘chess is an incredible game’ and so does Olympic superstar Johannes Klaebo.
Celeb 64
Sir William Golding, English novelist.
The Scoresheet
Niemann-Aravindh, Prague 2026.
Improving the Worst Piece
Renier Castellanos is your Killer Chess Training coach.
Reimagining the Opening
Fresh opening ideas curated by Nikolaos Ntirlis.
Viva Ruy Lopez
A new model game presented by Christof Sielecki.
Killer Blow
Exercises to sharpen your tactics.
Sadler on Books
Bobby Fischer remains a model of relentless accuracy.
Just Checking
Who is Keti Tsatsalashvili’s favourite player?
The Last Column
Shortly after the medics had told him that he should start thinking in months rather than years, Jan Timman wrote a ‘spare column’.
The Powerful Catalan
The Catalan is one of the most respected weapons in modern chess: White fianchettoes the king’s bishop and uses its long-range pressure on the a8–h1 diagonal to squeeze Black for the entire game. It is a favourite of elite strategists like Kramnik and Anand precisely because it combines rock-solid safety with lasting, unpleasant pressure. In this book Victor Bologan turns it into a complete White repertoire.
Bologan covers everything Black can try, including the attempts to dodge the Catalan by steering toward the Queen’s Indian or Tarrasch structures. The book is classically organised — starting with the rarer sidelines and building toward the most important main lines, such as the critical Open Catalan where Black grabs the c4-pawn and White plays for long-term compensation.
Throughout, the recommendations are backed by original analysis of recent tournament games and explained with the clarity Bologan is known for, so you grasp the recurring plans — the pressure on the queenside, the central breaks, the typical endgames — rather than just memorising moves.
A complete, ambitious Catalan repertoire for club players and above who want a sound but genuinely pressing way to play for the advantage with White after 1.d4.
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