Everyman Chess Books

The Sicilian Taimanov (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 Nc6) is one of Black's most flexible ways of meeting 1 e4. It leads to the kind of tense, dynamic positions that appeal to players with counter-attacking inclinations, such as Judit Polgar, Joel Lautier and Vasily Ivanchuk. Indeed, Bobby Fischer turned to the Taimanov in the decisive game of his famous match with Boris Spassky. In this book...

Grand chess Master Neil McDonald explains the strategy and tactics of the highly fashionable Leningrad variation of the Dutch Defense. Through the use of model games for both sides, McDonald provides a thorough grounding in the key ideas, so that readers can quickly and confidently start to use the Leningrad in their own games.

The return in 1992 of American Grandmaster Bobby Fischer against his old rival Boris Spassky has reawakened interest in the games of one of the most determined World Champions of all time. To Fischer, chess is a highly competitive sport which requires not only meticulous opening preparation, a high state of tactical alertness and perfect technique, but also a constant striving for the initiativ...

There is no better way to improve your tactical ability than by working out winning combinations in positions taken from Grandmaster games. In this final - and most challenging! - part of his best-selling three-volume course in chess tactics, Russian chess teacher Livshitz provides a wealth of test-yourself positions identified under recurring combinational themes such as diversion, interferenc...

Grandmaster and twice British Champion, Julian Hodgson, with easy to understand move by move commentary, explains to less skilled players how they can finish off their opponents in the very early stages of the game. By setting the cunning traps presented here the reader will be given the opportunity - and satisfaction! - of scoring chess knockouts in double-quick time against friends and rivals...

The Sveshnikov variation of the Sicilian Defense leads to dynamic positions with free piece play and provides enterprising players with the type of active game on which they can thrive. It became fashionable in the 1970s under the influence of Evgeny Sveshnikov and other grandmasters from Chelyabinsk, and has remained at the cutting edge of opening theory ever since. In recent years it has been...

This book by Grandmaster David Bronstein, one of the most original and influential players of the post-war period, is not a self-tutor in the conventional sense, where the basics of opening, middlegame and endgame play are drily explained. Instead, the author engages in a frank conversation with the reader, discussing how strong players decide on their moves.

Is the ability to make combinations something you are born with or can it be acquired by practice? Russian chess trainer Livshitz, who has had extensive experience teaching a wide range of players from novices to masters, presents here a course for developing your combinational skill, based on the recognition of tactical motifs. As you work your way through this carefully graded series of tests...

One of the finest chess books ever written, now in the revised algebraic edition. The author expounds both the basic principles and the most complex forms of attack on the king.

Grandmaster Mark Taimanov is one of the most consistently successful players of the post-war era. A grandmaster since 1952, he twice qualified as a Candidate for the World Championship and his numerous tournament victories include the Soviet Championship in 1956 and the World Veterans' Championship in 1993. Taimanov has made many significant contributions to opening theory and is the author of ...

In a strikingly original self-improvement manual, Jonathan Tisdall draws on his own experiences to explain why erratic results and painful setbacks occur, and shows how to institute a training program that can lift the player's game to new heights. Tisdall's improvement ideas will fire the imagination of players at all levels.

In this entertaining book for players of all ages,world champion Garry Kasparov teaches the chess newcomer the moves and fundamental principles of the game. Every important concept is explained in clear fashion, with over 250 diagrams in total and more than 90 exercises on which readers can test themselves.

This entertaining and instructive book uses the author's own tried and tested training methods and is ideal for any player in the 100-160 BCF (1400-1900 ELO/USCF) grading range.

In this entertaining test-yourself book, suitable for young players and novices of all ages, John Walker shows how to master each of the pieces. Learn how to get the most from your pieces, answer the question and add up your score. Test your chess and watch yourself improve-and enjoy the fun at the end!

Starting in 1920 and running through to the early 1990s, when the political break-up of the USSR meant the end of the competition, the prestigious Soviet Championships were truly representative events with all of the top Soviet players participating. Because of the enormous State support for the game in the old USSR, these Championships were usually gladiatorial, all-play-all contests lasting w...

By choosing the Fianchetto System against the Grunfeld, White aims to stifle Black's normal piece play. White avoids presenting Black with a target and instead looks to probe Black's sensitive queenside. White's strategy has been used to good effect by Karpov and Kasparov, reason enough to adopt it in one's own games. This new title offers the first complete coverage of this important chess ope...

All chess players know the impact of a surprising move in a game of chess. The victim is disoriented and often blunders in reply, while the player landing the surprise feels invigorated, lusting for the battle ahead. It is thus quite a surprise in itself that this is the first book devoted to this important practical aspect of chess psychology. Avni, a highly experienced and respected chess wri...

Alexander Khalifman has been competing in the higher echelons of world chess for many years. He is a player with a broad opening repertoire and a distinctive style, one of his favorite stratagems being the sacrifice of material for long-term positional compensation. A former European Junior Champion and a winner of numerous Russian and international tournaments, he has recently founded a grandm...

Chris Ward covers three offbeat but important defences to this ancient opening. The Chigorin Defence (1 d4 d5 2 c4 Nc6) creates dynamic imbalance in the position. The Albin Counter Gambit (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5) is a tricky tactical line which can be deadly against an unprepared White player. The final variation (1 d4 d5 2 c4 Bf5) is an interesting way to try to solve immediately the problem of how t...

Fed up having to defend with Black? Annoyed by all those irritating white systems? Then this is the book for you! Russian international master Alexander Raetsky draws upon his wealth of experience gained playing on the tough international tournament circuit to supply you with an all-in-one solution to your problems. The reader is provided with a complete repertoire for Black against 1 e4, based...