In the second volume of this repertoire set GM Kornev analyzes Caro-Kann as well as openings where White doesn’t play 1.e4 or 1.d4
The combination of the Slav Defense and the Caro-Kann Defense enables Black to facilitate his defense in the opening and to avoid numerous unpleasant schemes for him. For example, after 1.c4, he can simply play 1…c6, without being afraid of 2.e4. In the above mentioned London System, after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3, Black has the resource 3…cxd4 4.exd4, after which there arises by transposition a variation from the Caro-Kann Defense which is practically harmless for Black.
This book consists of eleven chapters devoted to different variations of the all-purpose defence for Black 1.d4 d6.
IM Bonin offers the answers to practical questions that every chessplayer faces as the clock is ticking.
A mastery of tactics is essential to a competitive chess player, and the original Advanced Chess Tactics became an instant classic in this field. “This book is absolutely superb. For serious players... this volume will provide a wonderful breadth of study material and act as a workbook to advance your skills and understanding of this important topic...” was Carsten Hansen’s comment when awarding the book 6/6 stars. This new edition benefits from various analytical tweaks, plus an entirely new chapter dedicated to attacking in the French Defence, an opening which the author knows better than almost anyone, having played it for most of his career. Readers are sure to find this an invaluable addition to the original chapters, which remain usefully categorized by opening or common pawn structure.
Alexander Alekhine was a two-time World Chess Champion and is widely regarded to be one of the greatest chess players of all time. During his best years he dominated tournaments, and in 1927 he defeated his great rival José Raúl Capablanca to win the world title. Alekhine was renowned both for his fierce competitive nature and his dazzling combinative play. He had a phenomenal ability to unleash combinations even from seemingly harmless positions, and he is undeniably one of the best attackers the game has ever seen. In this book, FIDE Master Steve Giddins invites you to join him in a study of his favourite Alekhine games, and shows us how we can all learn and improve our chess by examining Alekhine’s masterpieces. Move by Move provides an ideal platform to study chess. 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 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 improve your chess skills and knowledge.
Sergei Tkachenko has written a fascinating account of Alexander Alekhine’s time spent in Odessa during World War I, the Russian Revolution and Civil War, as well as of the impact of Odessa on his later life. The book includes 24 complete games (some handicapped) with annotations from Alekhine, Sergei Tkachenko and Sergei Voronkov (co-author with David Bronstein of Secret Notes), as well as five puzzles and one fragment. Alekhine played in 22 of these games and the fragment and set three of the puzzles.
Jonathan Hawkins underwent a remarkable transformation from an average tournament competitor to a player on the verge of securing the Grandmaster title. His journey was propelled by a strategic approach to studying and learning chess. Recognizing the critical importance of the endgame, Hawkins dedicated his attention to this crucial phase of the game. Through meticulous analysis and practice, he devised a set of building blocks and identified key areas for focused study.
Hawkins' diligent efforts in mastering the endgame yielded remarkable results, propelling him to prominence as a "GM killer" within the English tournament circuit. His systematic approach and unwavering commitment paid off, leading to a steady ascent in the chess rankings.
In "Amateur to IM," Hawkins generously shares the secrets of his personal notebooks for the first time. He presents specialized material tailored to help readers become more proficient practical players, imparting a deeper understanding of critical chess aspects. By engaging with the lessons presented in the book, aspiring chess enthusiasts can expect to experience significant improvement in their own play.
Hawkins' emphasis on efficient learning and his unwavering focus on the endgame offer valuable insights to chess students. By following his footsteps and adopting his strategies, readers can enhance their understanding of the game and elevate their playing skills.