Former US Open Champion Timothy Taylor takes a contemporary look at one of Black's most ambitious counters to 1 e4, the Alekhine Defence. This is a sharp opening in which Black attacks from the very beginning, luring White's central pawns forward in the expectation of destroying them later on. The Alekhine is a favourite among creative players such as Nigel Short, Vassily Ivanchuk and Hikaru Nakamura.
By studying the most important games and also drawing upon his own experience in the opening, Taylor constructs a practical repertoire for Black, ideal for the modern-day player. All the key tactical and positional ideas for both players are covered, and crucial move-order nuances are highlighted. This book provides everything you need to know to play the Alekhine with confidence.
– A dynamic repertoire for Black
– Provides answers to all of White's possibilities
– Ideal for improvers, club players and tournament players.
has been played a few times since and remains a popular opening at all levels of play. Some of the lines are incredibly theoretical, but rather than burden you with a ton of theory in lines you will have limited chance of using in your own games, the emphasis is on the lines that are more likely to occur in your games. Those lines will be in chapters 3 and 4, the two longest chapters of the book. This book is by no means an all-encompassing theory work, which means that there is a lot of theory that is not discussed in the notes. This is of course intentional. The book is written to entertain and inspire. If you find some lines that you like, you are encouraged to dive deeper into those lines before using them in your own games. As for the games, they are typically between players with a rating of at least 2350 and often well more than that; you will find games between players rated above 2700 in this book. However, I have made some exceptions when a lower rated player beats a player rated above the magical 2350 number. To show the relative strength of the players, I have included the ELO rating of the players involved in the miniatures. A few games are of older date, but are otherwise as recent as 2015.
This series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge.
The Queen’s Indian enjoys a deserved reputation as a reliable opening choice for Black against 1 d4. Black’s opening system involves an early queenside fianchetto with the hypermodern approach of controlling the centre with pieces, and the resulting positions are rich in dynamic and strategic possibilities for both sides. The Queen’s Indian is a popular choice at all levels of chess, and many of the World’s top players have employed it as part of their opening repertoires. In this book, International Master and chess coach Lorin D’Costa invites you to join him in studying the Queen’s Indian. He highlights the typical plans and tactics for both sides, constructs a practical repertoire for Black and provides answers to all the key questions.
– Essential guidance and training with the Queen’s Indian
– Includes repertoire options for Black
– Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study
The Old Indian has a well-deserved reputation as a sound defence to 1 d4. Black employs an easy-to-learn system of development, seizes a firm foothold in the centre and aims to create counterplay from a solid platform. In this book, Old Indian expert Junior Tay invites you to join him in studying the opening and its many variations. Using illustrative games, Tay highlights the tactical and positional ideas for both sides, provides repertoire options for Black and offers answers all the key questions. This book will tell you everything you need to know about playing the Old Indian Defence.
– Essential guidance and training in the Old Indian
– Offers repertoire options for Black
This is a theoretical book about a chess variation that (it could not be otherwise) I will call the Del Rio Variation. It is one of the most fascinating openings that can be played today, leading almost immediately to highly dynamic and complex positions. Additionally, it can be set up quite easily. For example, after 1.d4 Nf6 (1...d5 is another possible move order to reach the same position) 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 (from 1.d4 all of White’s moves are the most popular). Then 4...dxc4, establishing the Vienna Variation. Here, White can only fight for an advantage with 5.e4.
Until a few years ago, the main lines continued with 5...Bb4 6.Bg5 c5, or the dangerous gambit 6.Bc4!? Nxe4 7.0-0. All of these led to a well-researched ocean of variations where Black had to struggle to maintain equality and generally had few practical chances to win the game. The scenario changes dramatically with 5...b5!? as Black now sets up a complicated, unbalanced game that is also less studied than the other continuations. This partly explains the excellent results that Black has been achieving in practice. It is no surprise that this move has attracted the interest of today's top players, some of whom have adopted it frequently.
This book is especially focused on Black's perspective and aims to provide you with all the necessary material to successfully employ this variation. You will find theory, exemplary games, deep analyses, conceptual explanations, and many novel ideas that have yet to see the light of day in practice.
One of the sharpest lines to meet 1 d4 is the Modern Benoni (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4 Nc3 exd5 5 cxd5 d6). The hallmark of this opening is that Black makes the positional concession of allowing White a central majority and in return hopes for counterchances via active piece play. However, there are many other weird and wonderful ways to handle these "Benoni structures" as the very experienced chess coach and author Andrew Martin demonstrates in this highly engaging book.
Martin introduces the reader to (amongst others) the Vulture (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 Ne4), the Clarendon Court (1 d4 c5 2 d5 f5) and the Snake Benoni (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4 Nc3 exd5 5 cxd5 Bd6!?). All of these are outlandish tries but nevertheless set White difficult problems to solve at the board.
In other systems Black plays "Nimzo-style" and jettisons the dark-squared bishop in order to inflict weaknesses on the white pawn structure. One typical line is 1 d4 g6 2 c4 Bg7 3 Nc3 c5 4 d5 and now 4 ... Bxc3+!? 5 bxc3. This is a line favoured by elite grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura who has used it frequently in blitz and rapid chess. An advantage of playing this way is that it will usually take well booked up White players outside their comfort zone and force them onto their own resources.
If you want to inject a big dose of dynamism into your play with Black, the create some mayhem in the Benoni.
The London System, reached after 1.d4 and 2.Bf4, has grown from a quiet sideline into a main-road opening played at every level up to the World Championship. In Chess Opening Repertoire: The London System, Cyrus Lakdawala presents a complete White repertoire built on the pure 2.Bf4 move order (covering every major Black setup, from the Classical ...d5 and ...e6 structures to the King's Indian, Grünfeld, Benoni and Dutch), with a question-and-answer format that tests the reader's understanding throughout.
What's Covered?
About the Author:
Cyrus Lakdawala is an International Master, a former National Open and American Open Champion, and a six-time State Champion. He has taught chess for over 40 years, coaches top US juniors, and is one of the most prolific chess authors of his generation.
The Accelerated Dragon (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6) has attracted the attention of many creative players. In the past these included Tigran Petrosian and Bent Larsen while modern aficionados include the dominant player of the era, Magnus Carlsen, as well as Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov, Vassily Ivanchuk, Jan-Krzysztof Duda and many others.
The opening is characterised by the swift fianchetto of the dark-squared bishop on g7. It is a close relative of the "normal" Dragon (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6) but with one crucial difference - Black delays committing the d-pawn to d6, a decision which complicates the play. If White does not respond accurately, Black will often gain the opportunity to play ...d7-d5 in one go. This can mimic the effect of a bomb going off as the white position is laid to waste.
The traditional reason why the accelerated version of the Dragon is viewed with a little suspicion is that with 5 c4 White can set up the Maroczy Bind - a potentially powerful clamp on Black's game. However, there are good ways to fight against this plan and they are examined in detail.
– A strong aggressive line where "natural" moves can be disastrous for White.
– A complete repertoire for Black against 1 e4.
– The question and answer method continually tests the reader's understanding.
Nigel Davies is an International Grandmaster and FIDE Senior Trainer. He is the author of numerous books and DVDs on the game and is known for the clarity of his explanations. Davies was part of the victorious England over-50 side at the recent European Senior Team Chess Championships, winning team gold, as well as an individual silver medal for his performance on board four.
The Carlsbad Pawn Structure is one of the most important and instructive pawn structures in chess. It commonly arises from the Queen's Gambit Declined, Exchange Slav, and other 1.d4 openings, offering a wealth of strategic ideas for both sides. This structure has been studied extensively by many world champions, including Capablanca, Karpov, and Petrosian, due to its rich positional themes.
This textbook is a must-study for any serious chess player. It provides a deep understanding of long-term plans and strategic maneuvering. If you want to improve your positional play, mastering this structure will give you a huge edge in tournament games.
* Final Rating: 9/10 - A timeless and instructive pawn structure that belongs in every player's repertoire.
In the epic book French GM Christian Bauer will be your truthful chess guide!
When deciding upon a repertoire to meet 1 d4, those players whose natural inclination is to be aggressive have a difficult decision. There are plenty of outright counter-attacking tries such as the Benko Gambit, the King's Indian Defence and the Modern Benoni. However, such openings are generally considered borderline unsound at the higher levels. On the other hand the safe options such as the Queen's Gambit Declined and Queen's Gambit Accepted make it difficult to create middlegame complications. So, what to do?
Play the Semi-Slav! (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 c6). This line provides a great balance between solidity and dynamism. The opening is undoubtedly sound but also contains plenty of latent aggressive possibilities. The Semi-Slav is also one of those openings that will repay players who enjoy studying the game. The lines are intricate and the player who is better prepared will have a substantial edge.
In this book Nicolas Yap uses the Semi-Slav as the basis for a complete repertoire with Black when facing 1 d4. Many lines based on an early Bf4 have become popular in recent years and strong counters are provided for all of them.
– A thorough, in-depth examination of a complex modern variation.
– A complete repertoire for Black against 1 d4.
The Petrov's Defense (also known as the Russian Defense) is an underrated gem in classical chess, offering solid play and excellent counterattacking opportunities. While it might not enjoy the same spotlight as the Ruy Lopez or Sicilian Defense, it's a highly respected opening for players who seek consistency, strategic depth, and resilience.
The hallmark of Petrov's Defense is its symmetrical pawn structure after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6. It emphasizes equalizing early without the chaos of sharper lines, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer calm and strategic maneuvering over immediate tactical fireworks. Black's goal is not just to survive the opening but to gradually turn equality into an advantage through careful piece placement and timely counterplay.
What stands out most about this opening is its reliability at all levels of play--from club players to elite grandmasters. Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik has used it successfully in high-stakes games, demonstrating that it's not just a drawing weapon but also a fighting choice for ambitious players.
The Petrov's Defense can lead to rich middlegame positions, especially in less explored lines, offering plenty of scope for creativity and independent thought.
In summary, the Petrov's Defense is a rock-solid choice for players who value structure, deep understanding, and long-term plans. Whether you're aiming for a quiet positional struggle or waiting to unleash a tactical shot at the right moment, this opening has something for everyone. Give it a try--you might just fall in love with its subtle charm!
Are you ready to shock your opponent on move 3?
The Reti Opening is a dynamic opening invented by Richard Reti more than a century ago. It has since been featured in the repertoires of countless grandmasters and world champions, including Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Garry Kasparov, Tigran Petrosian, Vassily Smyslov, and many others.
The Navara Gambit takes dynamic chess into a bizarro world on move 3: 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 g5!
It looks ridiculous, but that doesn't make it so. It is the brainchild of Czech grandmaster David Navara and was first introduced in 2011. Since then, it has been played in the games of many grandmasters and international masters, in regular tournament games, and in many of the most important online events over the last decade.
The book presents a full repertoire for Black against the Reti Opening proper (1.Nf3 d5 2.c4), thus including not only the lines where White plays 3.b4 but also 3.g3, 3.e3, and 3.d3, but also much less frequently seen lines such as 3.e4, 3.a3, and even 3.c5.
It is time to have fun against the Reti and 1.Nf3!
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