The French Defense has once more become a viable way for Black to meet 1.e4, and against 3.Nc3, Winawer's 3...Bb4 is considered Black's strongest and most combative weapon. The Chiburdanidze Variation, 4.Qd3, allows White to immediately depart from main line theory and take Black onto turf that only White is familiar with.
It was introduced into master play by then Women's World Champion Maia Chiburdanidze in 1985, and it has since found a following among grandmasters such as Jonny Hector, Olexandr Bortnyk, and many other players who prefer original ideas and uncharted territory to theoretical main lines.
A complete and practical repertoire against the Ruy Lopez built around the solid and flexible Deferred Steinitz Variation. This guide equips players with reliable structures, clear plans, and modern insights, while also providing full coverage of the critical Exchange Variation—ensuring you’re prepared for both positional battles and tactical challenges.
Seizing the Initiative: The 1.e4 Repertoire presents a complete 1.e4 repertoire for White built on active, purposeful chess. The emphasis is on high-reward lines that create pressure, generate attacking chances and force Black onto the defensive, without compromising soundness at a serious level of play.
Combining ambition with sound judgement, GM Gawain Maroroa Jones offers a thorough revamping of his acclaimed Coffeehouse Repertoire. This first volume focuses exclusively on meeting the Sicilian Defence with a cohesive, practically dangerous and theoretically trustworthy set of weapons. Volumes 2 and 3 will complete the repertoire.
Gawain Maroroa Jones is an English grandmaster, three-time British Champion and winner of the 2020 European Blitz Championship. He has defeated some of the world’s best players using the ideas recommended in this book.
The brainchild of 19th century Welsh seafarer and inventor, Captain William Davies Evans, The Evans Gambit has long enjoyed a reputation for daring and adventurous play. Arising after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!, the Evans Gambit forces Black to navigate stormy seas from the outset.
IM Andrew Martin takes you on a journey through the ages, showing how the Evans Gambit was used by the leading players of the Victorian era, before being moulded into a deadly weapon by Garry Kasparov, and subsequently by modern-day grandmasters who have proved its validity in the computer era.
With additional chapters providing similarly active and aggressive ideas against Black's main alternative tries after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, this book is the ultimate guide for 1.e4 players looking to take the fight to their opponents.
Andrew Martin is a FIDE Senior Trainer and International Master. He is a popular chess writer, presenter and commentator, renowned for his ability to clearly communicate vital ideas to club and online players.
Set yourself up for success by understanding the art of the chess opening
Chess Openings For Dummies helps beginning and intermediate chess players improve their game by making the first few moves count. With a strong opening, you can dictate the flow of the game, control the center, and keep your king safe. This book shows you how to make tactical early moves that put you on a strong footing for the rest of the game. Chess master James Eade shares his expert knowledge for coming out triumphant in open, semi-open, closed, and semi-closed games. Plus, you'll discover the perks of advancing with flank openings and learn the major mistakes to avoid. Learn the importance of online competitions, computers, and faster-paced chess events and their impact on the game. In language anyone can understand, this Dummies guide helps you gain a strategic advantage in chess.
• Discover the most effective openings for open and closed games
• Advance your game with new and advanced opening techniques
• Learn why certain openings have become more popular―and why you should use them
• Gain the upper hand in the first few moves and keep opponents on their toes
Looking to improve your chess openings? Chess Openings For Dummies makes it easy.
Are You Ready for a Strong, Dynamic Line against the French?
For some reason, many chessplayers feel a little uncomfortable when facing the French Defense. They search for active lines against this popular black reply to 1.e4. The Monte Carlo Variation of the French might be just what fits the bill.
The line begins 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.c4. It is worth mentioning that many other openings, including such diverse ones as the Queen’s Gambit Accepted, the English, the Petroff, etc., may also reach this position. The author, Ukrainian-French Grandmaster Vladimir Okhotnik, has had this variation in his repertoire for over 50 years and, by his own count, has played it in more than 200 serious tournament games. He now shares his extensive experience in this line.
For the most part, the Monte Carlo Variation has not been covered very well in chess literature. In fact, this is the first book devoted exclusively to this variation. Thorough coverage of positional concepts as well as tactical prospects make this a must-read for both Black (how to navigate the narrow path to equality) and White (how to maximize the pressure on the opponent). If you are looking for a strong, dynamic line against the French, go exploring with the author and look no more.
Ukrainian-French Grandmaster Vladimir Okhotnik won the Ukrainian Championship in 1979. He has won the World Senior Championship twice. Previous books include Carpathian Warrior, vols 1 & 2. This is his first book for Russell Enterprises.
The widely-played Winawer Variation has been called ‘the jewel in the crown of the French Defence’. It is easy to see why:
This is an opening for players who love a real fight. Black immediately attacks White’s centre and the resulting positional dynamics offer chances to both sides.
Viktor Moskalenko, a renowned champion of dynamic play, is the ideal guide to show you both the strategic principles and the tactical finesses. As a follow-up to his bestselling The Flexible French, Moskalenko has written another sparkling book brimming with new and original ideas.
The entire spectrum of the Winawer is covered, but of course Moskalenko has his own preferences and he does not shy away from some daring recommendations.
His keen eye for the essence of positions, his talent to find new resources in well-known lines and his own inimitable style will make the ‘French Magic’ work for every reader.
Viktor Moskalenko is an International Grandmaster, a successful author and a well-known chess coach who has worked with Vasily Ivanchuk. A former Ukrainian champion, Moskalenko remains highly active as a player and has won numerous tournaments in his new home country, Spain.
Viktor Kortchnoi:
"Familiarizing oneself with Moskalenko's new ideas can only have a beneficial effect on the play of any reader, from amateur to professional. I can see many connections between this second book and the earlier 'flexible' volume, which proves that the two are in spirit actually one publication."
Arne Moll, ChessVibes:
"The book literally brims with double exclamation marks, devious tricks, once-forgotten-but-now-revitalised ideas, quintessential quotes, noteworthy novelties, and thought-provoking italicised musing (..) A true roller-coaster ride of a book."
Klaus Kreuzer, Europa Rochade Magazine:
"It is simply a pleasure to work with this book."
Paul Motwani, The Scotsman:
"Brilliant (..) GM Viktor Moskalenko does an excellent job of giving all the most important lines after 3.Nc3 Bb4 together with lots of sound advice and ideas which makes the material easily understandable."
Marshtower Chess Reviews:
"The writing style is never less than engaging. It is possible to learn quite a lot just by reading the prose and not even playing through the moves."
Joe Petrolito, Australasian Chess Magazine:
"Expands and complements the material on the Winawer in the earlier book (..) Another fine book by a good author."
Glenn Flear, Yearbook 98:
"It is as if Moskalenko and New In Chess have consciously sought out the best features in other chess books and then put them all into this one. In addition, these 272 pages are so full full of the sheer 'joie de vivre' of the author that I would recommend turning a few pages when you are feeling down."
Max Euwe Centre, Amsterdam:
"A barrage of ideas, suggestions, warnings and concepts."
Gary Lane, Chess Moves Magazine:
"A must for those who play the French Defence."
Carsten Hansen, ChessCafe:
"Very interesting and well-analyzed, with plenty of fresh ideas and suggestions."
The Ruy Lopez Revisited contains, among MANY other things, in-depth but highly accessible analysis of the Jaenisch Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5.
Vassily Ivanchuk played this gambit successfully against world champion Viswanathan Anand in the third round of the 4th Grand Slam Masters Final, held in Sao Paulo, in September 2011.
Ivan Sokolov:
"The Jaenisch should appeal to any black player who is looking for trouble at an early stage of the game. There are many dynamic ideas and still many lines to explore. I personally support Black's cause and I think the Jaenisch is a fully fledged variation."
The Ruy Lopez (or Spanish Opening) is one of the most important and oldest chess openings, forever popular with amateurs as well as professional players.
In this ground-breaking book, one of today’s greatest Ruy Lopez experts, Ivan Sokolov, presents a practical opening guide with a wide repertoire for black players who want to play for a win.
Besides the Jaenisch this book brings you:
* the Delayed Jaenisch: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 f5
* the Cozio Variation: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Ne7
* the Smyslov Variation: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6
* the Bird Variation: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4
* the Classical Variation: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bc5
The lines Sokolov presents are always dynamic and sometimes quite offbeat. But he has played most of them himself on numerous occasions, even against the strongest opponents.
Many of these lines turn out to be stronger than their reputation suggests, but Sokolov always remains an objective analyst. As well as numerous improvements for Black, the book also contains some crushing novelties for White!
Ivan Sokolov is a top grandmaster who was born in Bosnia in 1968. He was Yugoslav champion in 1988 and Dutch champion in 1995 and 1998. In his rich career Sokolov has beaten world chess champions like Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik as well as Viswanathan Anand.
Nicholas P.Sterling, Chess Horizons:
"An essential resource for Ruy Lopez players."
"Superb"
"This is simply a great opening book, probably one of the best ever on the Spanish Opening."
British Chess Magazine:
"A well-written, well-structured book with a lot of interesting ideas to explore. Sokolov introduces each chapter with plenty of textual material and also summarises at the end."
Pete Tamburro, Chess Life Magazine:
"With the line that Smyslov made famous, he devotes a decidedly simple and correct ten pages, and -voilà!- you have an understandable defense against the Ruy Lopez."
Fernando Offermann, Schachwelt:
"Sokolov's Spanish book with half-forgotten variations has something to offer for everyone (..) It is well suited for practical players, adventurers and connoisseurs."
Richard Vedder, Schakers.info:
"We must be grateful Ivan Sokolov wishes to share his knowledge of these variations with us, because he treats more or less everything Spanish where 3. ... a7-a6, 3. ...d7-d6 or that awful Berlin is not played."
Grandmaster Dejan Antic and International Master Branimir Maksimovic have written a book that will change the way chess players look at the French Defence, one of the most popular chess openings.
Black players in a French Defence have sound options like undermining the White center or playing against a damaged pawn structure. Once you have really mastered the black side in the French, you possess such a powerful weapon that even strong players will think twice what to play against you.
This is a complete and up-to-date book for players of all levels, with brand-new concepts in topical modern lines such as the Steinitz, McCutcheon and Morozevich Variation. Antic and Maksimovic explain strategic concepts and methods of attack, and present numerous novelties and new tactical ideas in all French main lines. But they have also developed several sidelines into deadly surprise weapons. The conclusion is clear: Black is OK in the French!
The Janowski Variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 a6. Black plays ...a6 to prepare the queenside expansion ...b5, aiming to challenge White’s c4 pawn and gain space. The idea was introduced by the Polish-French grandmaster Dawid Janowski around the turn of the 20th century.
Compared with classical QGD lines, this variation is less theoretical and offers flexible development for Black. White usually responds by strengthening the center and preventing ...b5, often with moves like a4, Nf3, or cxd5. The resulting positions typically feature a strategic battle between White’s central control and Black’s queenside expansion.
The journey into the world of sparkling short games continues. Chess in Miniature: Volume 2 takes up where the first book left off, exploring the next set of ‘Secrets’ that underpin brilliant miniatures. From choosing appropriate openings to exploiting greed, from classical sacrifices to advanced calculation, this volume reveals how winners consistently shape games that delight and instruct.
With carefully chosen examples and insightful commentary, the book not only entertains but also inspires readers to attempt their own mini-masterpieces. Whether you want to sharpen your tactical instincts, enrich your opening play, or simply enjoy some of the most striking games in chess, this volume will both instruct and delight.
David LeMoir is an experienced chess player and the author of several successful books, with the canny knack of presenting new ways to look at sacrifices and tactics.
Most chess players dream of winning quickly and stylishly, but few know how to increase their chances of such success. Chess in Miniature: Volume 1 takes on the challenge by presenting the eight key Secrets to winning in 25 moves or fewer, with eight additional vital Secrets to follow in Chess in Miniature: Volume 2.
David LeMoir presents the crucial concepts using illuminating examples, containing an ideal balance of short variations and instructive prose. Learn how to become an Opportunist Tactician and a Canny Investor, while aware that The Queen Rules and Beauty Favours The Strong. A final ‘challenge chapter’ is included to test and reinforce the reader’s newfound understanding.
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