International Master Luis Bernal has unraveled the Berlin and made it accessible for amateur players. His practical guide is fully up to date, explains typical formations and strategies, and presents new ideas and resources in the old Berlin Wall structures.
The Queen's Gambit can be rather boring, especially for Black, so a couple of weapons to make things more excitement.
In this book, FIDE Master Carsten carefully analyzes two gambits for Black that both arise after the initial moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 c5!?. The Canal Gambit arises when White captures 5.cxd5, and Black responds 5...Qb6. The gambit is somewhat dubious, but very effective in practical play. The Prins Gambit instead sees Black respond 5...cxd4!?, which is a correct gambit, giving Black full compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
All of White's responses to both gambits are carefully analyzed.
Prepare to give White a wake-up call!
In 1904, the American chess player Frank James Marshall was at the top of his game. He had won several tournaments in a row, including the prestigious event in Cambridge Springs 1904, ahead of the reigning world champion Dr. Emanuel Lasker.
In the present work, the reader will find:A biographical sketch of Frank J. Marshall
– Opening Analysis of all relevant openings (as they looked in 1904)
– A selection of thirty-two of his best and most interesting games from the period 1899-1904, all annotated by contemporary players, including many by Marshall himself.
– All games and analyses have been thoroughly reviewed, updated, and expanded by FIDE master Carsten Hansen.
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.
They did it! Dejan Antic and Branimir Maksimovic have created a complete chess opening repertoire for Black players in only two books.
First they wrote the acclaimed The Modern French (against 1.e4). Now The Modern Bogo provides Black players with a comprehensive answer to 1.d4. The two books complement each other perfectly.
The point is that the authors recommend to answer 1.d4 with the direct 1...e6, for the follow-up 2.c4 Bb4+. In this way they avoid complex theoretical Nimzo-Indian lines and enable both amateur and professional players to find their own way in little-explored variations.
The Modern Bogo covers all the possibilities for White after 1.d4 e6... except for 2.e4, after which you should play the French!
Antic and Maksimovic have done a massive amount of research, and found many new strategic concepts and attacking plans. All of them are explained clearly and thoroughly.
You will find that this opening not only gives you good chances to equalize as Black, but also many opportunities to play for a win.
IS THIS BOOK ONLY FOR THOSE WHO PLAY THE FRENCH WITH BLACK? OF COURSE NOT!
More than 90% of the lines that Antic and Maksimovic cover can also be reached through the standard Bogo- and Nimzo-Indian move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6.
Dejan Antic (Serbia, 1968) is a Grandmaster who has worked as a chess trainer in Australia and Greece. International Master Branimir Maksimovic (1955) was also born in Serbia. He has worked as a chess coach for 30 years, and is a well-known chess opening theoretician.
GM Glenn Flear, author of 'Starting Out: The Open Games':
"Perhaps the best attempt that any book has made at sorting out all those grey areas, transpositions, hybrids and move-order confusions. You really get the impression that the authors know their stuff and have taken the time to help the reader cross-reference analogous themes from elsewhere."
Martin Rieger, SchachWelt:
"The many verbal explanations loosen the book up. The authors have laid much emphasis on providing their readers not just with variations, but also with lots of texts containing historical backgrounds, indications of tactical or positional pitfalls, and other details."
Sean Marsh, CHESS Magazine:
"I enjoyed the prose explanations, of which there are plenty. They really did help me to understand the ideas behind some of the lines that have remained hitherto a mystery to me (..) The book is very nicely produced and presented with helpful conclusions and exercises."
B.H.Wilders, Nederlands Dagblad:
"The authors succeeed in explaining the various concepts and attacking plans for Black quite well. Typically, a good opening book like this is also quite useful for White and contains a lot of important general advice on improving at chess."
British Chess Magazine:
"An awesome follow-up to "The Modern French'."
Uwe Bekemann, German Correspondence Chess Federation:
"A new publication which I can recommend. It is written from the perspective of Black, but for the white player it is also an excellent source of information."
Grandmaster David Smerdon, ChessVibes, on 'The Modern French':
"Despite my years of experience playing the French with both sides, I found myself learning an incredible amount, particularly regarding the ideas behind many of the common lines that I often employ, but, it turns out, only superficially understand."
Si estás leyendo esto, es probable que ya conozcas la sensación: esa mezcla de tensión y solidez que se siente al mover 1...e6. He jugado la Defensa Francesa toda mi vida. Ha sido mi trinchera, mi arma de contraataque y, a veces, mi salvavidas en posiciones donde otros habrían colapsado. La conozco íntimamente, no porque haya memorizado mil variantes de una base de datos, sino porque he sufrido y disfrutado sus estructuras en el tablero, con el reloj corriendo y la adrenalina a tope.
Y aquí es donde quiero ser brutalmente honesto contigo: memorizar variantes no te hará un mejor jugador de Francesa. Veo a demasiados estudiantes (y a muchos maestros) caer en la trampa de la "teoría moderna". Se aprenden de memoria 25 jugadas de una línea recomendada por el motor, pero en cuanto el rival hace una jugada "humana" que no estaba en el archivo, se quedan en blanco. Saben la jugada, pero no entienden la posición. Este libro no está diseñado para que memorices; está diseñado para que absorbas patrones.
¿Por qué el estudio de "Partidas Modelo"? El ajedrez se juega por analogía. Cuando estás en la jugada 30, con apuros de tiempo, tu cerebro no calcula variantes infinitas; tu cerebro busca en su archivo interno y dice: "Esto se parece a aquella partida de Radjabov. Aquí el plan es romper con f6". Las 20 partidas que he seleccionado aquí no son aleatorias. Son la "crema y nata" de la práctica magistral de 2025. Son batallas vivas donde la teoría de la Variante Tarrasch (3.Cd2) se puso a prueba al máximo nivel.
Al estudiar estas partidas completas, desde la apertura hasta el final, lograrás algo que el estudio de variantes sueltas no puede darte:
– Entenderás las transiciones: ¿Cuándo cambiar el "alfil malo"? ¿Cuándo aceptar un Peón Aislado a cambio de actividad?
– Aprenderás a defender: La Francesa requiere nervios de acero. Verás cómo los GM de élite aguantan la presión y esperan el momento exacto para el contragolpe.
– Detectarás los finales típicos: Muchos de estos duelos se deciden en finales de torres o caballos que se repiten una y otra vez.
Una Nota sobre la Tecnología (Stockfish y Leela)
Para escribir este análisis, he utilizado la tecnología más avanzada disponible. He consultado los oráculos de silicio (Stockfish 16 y Leela Chess Zero) para asegurar la precisión táctica. No hay nada peor que un libro con errores de cálculo. Sin embargo, el motor es solo una herramienta de control de calidad, no el autor. El motor te dirá que una posición es "+0.45". Eso, para un humano, no significa nada. Mi trabajo aquí ha sido traducir ese número a lenguaje humano: explicarte por qué el blanco está mejor (espacio, casillas débiles) o por qué esa ventaja es ilusoria si el negro logra activar su alfil de casillas blancas. He mantenido las ideas humanas por encima de las líneas de computadora incomprensibles. Quiero que entiendas el plan, no que memorices el código binario.
Cómo usar este libro
No leas esto como una novela. Si tienes un tablero físico, úsalo. Si usas la pantalla de ForwardChess, detente en los momentos críticos. Intenta adivinar la jugada del Maestro antes de verla. Pregúntate: "¿Por qué rechazó el cambio de damas?" o "¿Por qué regaló ese peón?". Estas 20 partidas son un mapa del tesoro de la Francesa moderna. Si las estudias con profundidad, la próxima vez que te jueguen 3.Cd2, no estarás recordando líneas; estarás jugando con la experiencia prestada de los mejores del mundo. Bienvenido a la trinchera. Empecemos.
Chebanenko's move 4.a6 in the Slav Defence has grown into one of the main systems for Black as it is an extremely flexible and almost universal weapon against the Queen's Gambit. The Chebanenko Slav is very popular among top chess players, and club and internet players like it as well, because it offers Black solidity and active counterplay in all lines. Victor Bologan is a world-class chess player, writes in a very accessible style and has included many tips, tests and tools.
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."
"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."
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.
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