This hefty book offers the results of S. Soloviov’s ten-year-long investigation of a nearly virgin territory of chess theory.
Today's openings are reruns of an old sitcom that we have all seen a hundred times before, while for players in the past, life on the chess board was wild, unexplored territory. Learning the details of that gigantic entity, the Ruy Lopez (from either side), is on par with the time that hateful 7th-grade teacher made us memorize the capital cities of every country in the world – in alphabetical order!
The Origins series is an attempt at a "big picture" view that displays the interlocking parts of a much larger mechanism in time.
In this volume, the authors cover lines where Black does not meet 3.Bb5 with 3...a7-a6, and vast portions of this volume, are devoted to Berlin Defense Closed lines and the Berlin Wall Ending.
Grandmaster Repertoire - 1.e4 vs The Sicilian III
This volume completes Parimarjan Negi’s coverage of the Sicilian within his landmark Grandmaster Repertoire — 1.e4 series. Having dealt with the Najdorf and the other ...d6 Sicilians earlier, here he tackles the flexible "small centre" systems and tidies up everything that remains.
The core of the book is a world-class White repertoire against the Taimanov, the Kan, and the Scheveningen — three of the most resilient and fashionable Sicilians, favoured precisely because they keep Black’s structure flexible and hard to attack. Negi meets them with ambitious, deeply worked-out lines, including a "New Main Line" against the Taimanov and the sharp Keres Attack against the Scheveningen.
A final section covers the remaining Sicilian sidelines — the various 2...d6, 2...Nc6 and 2...e6 move orders and second-move alternatives — so that, together with the earlier volumes, White has a complete answer to 1...c5.
Like the rest of the series, this is demanding, theory-intensive material aimed at strong, ambitious players who play 1.e4 and want to fight for the advantage against every Sicilian rather than sidestepping the main battle.
The English Defence (1 d4 e6 2 c4 b6) is a dynamic, counter-attacking line, initially investigated by English grandmasters. Black aims to set White difficult problems to solve at the very earliest stage of the game. Black’s play is provocative – aiming to lure White into establishing a big pawn centre. This is a risky strategy as White falls behind in development and Black switfly becomes very active. However, if White’s response is more circumspect then Black can often manoeuvre into favourable structures reminiscent of positions arising from the Nimzo-Indian Defence, the Queen’s Indian Defence or even the Dutch.
José González provides an excellent analysis of this complex opening and carves out a powerful repertoire for Black covering all lines after 1 d4. It is possible for White to avoid the "English battle" by playing either 2 Nf3 or even 2 e4 (a rare move for 1 d4 players but seen occasionally). Gonzalez champions an aggressive variant of the Dutch against 2 Nf3 and outlines a simple but effective French Defence repertoire to counter 2 e4.
– A complete repertoire for Black to counter 1 d4.
– The question and answer approach provides an excellent study method.
The Leningrad Dutch
Of all the ways to meet 1.d4, the Leningrad Dutch is among the most combative: Black plays ...f5 and fianchettoes the king’s bishop, aiming for a King’s-Indian-style kingside attack but on his own original terms. And no one has done more for the variation than Vladimir Malaniuk, who has championed it at the highest level for decades.
This is Malaniuk’s own repertoire, the distilled product of a lifetime with the opening. He presents the Leningrad as an active, genuinely dangerous weapon rather than a dubious sideline, full of the original plans and counterattacking resources he has pioneered over thousands of games.
The coverage is complete from move one: the main Leningrad lines after 1.d4 f5 2.g3, the full range of Anti-Dutch tries (2.e3, 2.Bg5, 2.Nc3, 2.g4, 2.e4 and the rest), and the move orders via the Réti (1.Nf3 f5) and the Anglo-Dutch (1.c4 f5). The Chess Stars format pairs explanatory sections with complete annotated games.
A fighting, ambitious repertoire for club players and above who want to play for the win with Black against 1.d4 — straight from the opening’s leading authority.
The Réti is a popular opening at all levels of chess. The great advantage it possesses over other openings is that it's a thematic system which can be adopted against many different defences, and because of this it's a firm favourite amongst those who prefer the understanding of ideas over dry memorization of moves.
In this book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald examines the Réti by going back to basics, introducing the key moves and ideas, and taking care to explain the reasoning behind them - something that has often been neglected or taken for granted in other works.
The Starting Out series has firmly established itself as the leading guide to studying openings for up-and-coming chess players. These books are ideal for enthusiasts who don't necessarily have extensive knowledge of the openings in question and who wish to appreciate the essential principles behind them.
The Caro-Kann Defence arises after the moves 1.e4 c6. With this first move Black (as is also the case with the French Defence – 1.e4 e6) plans 2...d5, establishing a well-protected central pawn. The Caro-Kann has a reputation as a rock solid defence that minimises the risk of Black being subjected to undue early pressure. Rather than inviting the opponent to engage in immediate warfare, Black focuses on completing development comfortably and postponng the serious battle until the middlegame. It is notable that the White systems which try to batter the Caro-Kann into early submission are highly double-edged and often rebound badly. First Steps is a new opening series and is ideal for improving players who want simple and straightforward explanations.
First Steps books are based around carefully selected instructive games which demonstrate exactly what both sides are trying to achieve. There is enough theory to enable the improving player to get to grips with the opening without feeling overwhelmed. If you want to take up a new opening, First Steps is the ideal place to start.
Although the London System has been known for a long time, it has only surged in popularity in the last decade or so. This rise can likely be attributed to many players’ desire to focus more on the practical aspects of chess, emphasizing positional understanding over the heavy use of engines and memorization of long theoretical lines. The London System has seen not just an increase in the number of games but also a deeper understanding of the positions it produces. Historically, it was sporadically used, with only a few regular practitioners, such as grandmasters Milorad Knezevic and Vlado Kovacevic from the former Yugoslavia, and the English GM Tony Miles.
Today, players like Gata Kamsky and Magnus Carlsen frequently employ the London System, and it has become a staple in the repertoires of many other grandmasters and non-grandmasters alike. The system’s various move orders and the resulting transpositions make it unique, adding a layer of complexity not as prevalent in other openings.
My personal experience with the London System has been mixed. After losing a game to Grandmaster Volkov in the Rilton Cup, I initially decided that the resulting positions were not to my liking. However, in 2019, I revisited the London System during a game in a World Senior tournament and played exceptionally well. Like any opening, it can lead to both good and bad games, but the London System has undeniably become a significant part of 1.d4 theory.
The Queen’s Gambit is one of the oldest and most reliable opening which is mainly based on positional and structural understanding. The author gives a perfect guide about it and if somebody masters it, he will be able to use it in his entire chess career. This opening will never run out of fashion, its strategical and positional ideas will not be refuted by the strong computers.
Are you searching for a new weapon against 1 e4? Look no further - choose the Killer Sicilian! In this book, opening expert Tony Rotella presents a Sicilian repertoire for Black, the backbone of which consists of the Kalashnikov Variation. The Kalashnikov is an ideal choice for those looking to take up the Sicilian. Black follows an easy-to-learn system of development, with clear strategic aims. What's more, in many lines Black can choose between aggressive and positional options. It's no coincidence that the Kalashnikov has attracted such attacking talents as World Championship candidate Teimour Radjabov and multi-time US Champion Alexander Shabalov. Rotella critically examines the main lines and lucidly explains the key positional and tactical ideas for both sides. He also shows what Black should do against White's various Anti-Sicilian options. Read this book and unleash the Killer Sicilian!
🏆 Winner of CJA's 'Best Instructional Book of the Year 2025'!
The final volume in Pete Tamburro’s trilogy is finally here! Chock-full of practical advice aimed at the average-to-advancing club player, Openings for Amateurs – Theory vs Practice rounds off this acclaimed series with discussions of sharp and sneaky openings you will often face in tournaments and cautionary tales of the opening traps that people still fall into. And since you’ve advanced this far, there are 38 carefully annotated games on key themes in positional chess, including a close look at isolated queen pawn openings; what to know about the Minority Attack; learning why “equal” doesn’t always mean “drawn”; and a deeper dive into the Ruy López, where you will learn some grand strategies – one of them going back all the way to Alexander the Great.
The final section is a special feature, rarely seen in the chess literature: a collection of nearly two dozen games from the biggest amateur team tournament in the world, where Pete illustrates what he’s been talking about in all three volumes. It’s a chess feast of 85 games explained to amateurs the way they should be!
Award-winning chess writer Pete Tamburro has been a regular columnist for American Chess Magazine, Chess Life, Chess Life for Kids, The Atlantic Chess News, and British Chess Magazine. The author of Learn Chess from the Greats and of the first two volumes in the Openings for Amateurs series, he is also a highly successful chess teacher.
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.
This second and final volume of my Anti-Sicilian series covers our approach for all alternatives to 2...Nc6. The choice against 2...d6 was obvious. The Moscow variation is the only critical alternative to 3.d4 that has caused any concerns for Black – by developing with a tempo, we force Black to make an immediate decision on move 3 and wait for the right moment to open the position.
Whilst in the Rossolimo book I tried to achieve an objective advantage against every line, my choices in the Moscow were mainly selected by their ability to create practical difficulties for the opponent. Naturally, it is not possible to find an advantage in every variation but I have ensured to add many detailed explanations to guide plans and aid understanding in the various positions we’ll encounter.
Against 3...Nd7, I analyse two distinct options – either castling immediately with the aim of breaking in the centre with c2-c3 and d2-d4, or first playing 4.a4 and denying Black their typical counterplay on the queenside. Against the solid 3...Bd7, I offer two choices of achieving central control. 5.c4 aims for a more positional Maroczy structure, whereas the alternative 5.0-0 transforms the position into a French advanced-type structure, where we develop interesting chances on the kingside. We already discussed 3...Nc6 in the first volume from the move order 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 d6, but I’ve analysed a second option – 6.h3 instead of 6.c3. The point is to limit Black’s piece activity by suppressing the scope of the c8-bishop.
It was a bit harder to choose between 3.c3 or 3.g3 against 2...e6 – so I analysed both! The former transposes to an Alapin where my recommendations generally revolve around generating an attack against Black’s king – this is even attempted in the more ‘positional’ lines after 3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5. The latter aims for a slower build-up before striking in the centre with d2-d4. Particular attention is given to Black’s attempts to generate immediate activity with a ...d7-d5 push, and I think my analysis here makes Black’s path to equality extremely narrow.
Finally, I thought it was important to also consider the less popular second moves (2...g6, 2...a6, and 2...Nf6). In particular, I examined both 3.c3 and 3.c4 against 2...g6. The latter transposes to an Accelerated Dragon, which I can justify including in an Anti-Sicilian book as I believe it’s correct to enter an ‘Open-Sicilian’ type position if it benefits us. This approach has been emphasised across both volumes and it is made especially clear in the chapter against 2...g6.
London is a universal system, valid against almost any black response and one of the safest for White. It is very popular with club players who want to avoid the more theoretical lines, but it is also played regularly by strong grandmasters
Why Play the Catalan Opening?
If you’re looking for an opening that combines strategic depth with long-term pressure, the Catalan Opening is a top-tier choice. It’s favored by world champions like Vladimir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen for good reason: the Catalan blends solid positional play with dynamic potential.
By fianchettoing the king’s bishop and exerting long-range pressure on the center, White builds a solid yet flexible structure. This opening is ideal for players who prefer a quiet buildup that leads to deep middlegame plans, rather than immediate tactical fireworks.
Whether you’re an ambitious club player or a seasoned tournament competitor, the Catalan gives you a strong foundation with plenty of room to outplay your opponent in a positional battle.
Key benefits:
– Reliable opening with a rich strategic backbone
– Proven success at the highest level of play
– Excellent choice against both 1…d5 and 1…Nf6 setups
– Ideal for players who value control, initiative, and clarity
Today's openings are reruns of an old sitcom that we have all seen a hundred times before, while for players in the past, life on the chess board was wild, unexplored territory. Learning the details of that gigantic entity, the Ruy Lopez (from either side), is on par with the time that hateful 7th-grade teacher made us memorize the capital cities of every country in the world--in alphabetical order!
In this volume, the authors cover specialty lines either side deviates before heading into the Closed System Main Lines, for instance, The Exchange Variation, The Worrall Attack, The Open Ruy Lopez, The Møller, The Arkhangelsk, and many more.
The Diamond Dutch
Grandmaster Viktor Moskalenko does for the Dutch Defence what he did for the French and the Pirc: shakes up the theory and hands the reader a box of explosive new ideas. For anyone who plays the Dutch — or has to face it — this is danger and opportunity in equal measure.
The coverage is complete and works for both sides of the board. Moskalenko tackles the whole Anti-Dutch complex (the various gambits and the 2.Nc3 and 2.Bg5 systems White uses to dodge the main lines), the fianchetto "Catalanized" set-ups, and then the three great Dutch families — the Stonewall, the Classical, and the Leningrad — offering fresh weapons for Black and refutations of old ones.
As always, the draw is the author’s voice: he guides you through the lines with the enthusiasm, ease, and humour that have made his opening books cult favourites, so even sharp theory reads enjoyably and the key ideas stick.
A combative, idea-rich repertoire for club players and above who want to play the Dutch as an active, fighting opening — or who need to understand it well enough to take the fight to those who do.
Black versus The Tromp and Torre Attacks
The Trompowsky and Torre Attacks, played regularly at club level, may be quite risky to face if you are not prepared. In this comprehensive treatment of both openings – highlighting play from Black’s perspective – popular authors Vassilios Kotronias and Mikhail Ivanov, present solid paths to dynamic equality for the second player.
The common thread in both these systems is Bc1-g5 by White. In the Trompowsky, White plays it on the second move, while it is on the third move in the Torre. In addition, there is a separate chapter on a dangerous cousin of the Tromp and Torre, the “Barry-Tarzan” Attack, which usually features pawn storms after castling on opposite wings.
All three have their own QuickStarter! section. This covers the major lines, allowing the reader to begin playing these systems sooner rather than later.
There is no longer any reason for Black to fear these potentially dangerous debuts. Let GMs Kotronias and Ivanov prepare you to face the Trompowsky and Torre Attacks with confidence.
About the Authors
Greek Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias, has won the championship of Greece ten times and has represented his country many times in team competitions. He is one of the most respected opening analysts in the world today.
Russian-Serbian Grandmaster Mikhail Ivanov has been successful in many European tournaments, including the 2002 Neckar Open. He is a respected chess coach and trainer. He has co-authored several books with GM Kotronias for Russell Enterprises.
GM Matthieu Cornette shares his insights about one of the most popular openings nowadays – The Ragozin defense.
In recent years the Scandinavian has been catapulted into the limelight, and it has now firmly established itself as an opening to be reckoned with. Why has it become popular? Because it's easy to play - in the majority of lines Black relies upon the same system of development. Also there's still relatively little theory when compared to mainline defences to 1.e4. One further attraction is that it can lead to both tactical and positional play - there is something to suit all styles of player. Opening expert Jovanka Houska has successfully played both sides of the Scandinavian, and in this book she reveals everything you need to know, whether you are playing it as Black or facing it with White.
The Everyman Chess Starting Out series has firmly established itself as the leading guide to studying openings for up-and-coming players. These books are distinguished by their easy-to-read layout, the lucid explanations of the fundamentals, and the abundance of notes, tips and warnings to help the reader absorb vital ideas. Starting Out opening books are ideal for enthusiastic chess players who have little experience of the openings in question and who wish to appreciate the essential principles behind them.
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