The chessboard is the ultimate mental battleground and the world champions themselves are supreme intellectual gladiators.These magnificent compilations of chess form the basis of the first two parts of Garry Kasparov's definitive history of the World Chess Championship. Garry Kasparov, who is universally acclaimed as the greatest chessplayer ever, subjects the play of his predecessors to a rigorous analysis.Part one features the play of champions Wilhelm Steinitz (1886-1894), Emanuel Lasker (1894-1921), Jose Capablanca (1921-1927) and Alexander Alekhine (1927-1935 and 1937-1946).Part two features the play of champions Max Euwe (1935-1937) Mikhail Botvinnik (1946-1957, 1958-1961 and 1961-1963), Vassily Smyslov (1957-1958) and Mikhail Tal (1960-1961).These books are more than just a compilation of the games of these champions. Kasparov's biographies place them in a fascinating historical, political and cultural context. Kasparov explains how each champion brought his own distinctive style to the chessboard and enriched the theory of the game with new ideas.All these games have been thoroughly reassessed with the aid of modern software technology and the new light this sheds on these classic masterpieces is fascinating.

    By isolating the basic elements and illustrating them through a selection of Master and Grand Master games, Simple Chess breaks down the mystique of strategy into plain, easy-to-understand ideas — only a knowledge of basic chess terminology is assumed.More than a lesson in chess fundamentals, this book illustrates an increasingly prevalent and successful style of play — a method that begins by slowly accumulating small but permanent advantages, saving the outright attack for later in the game. Newly converted into the current algebraic chess notation, this edition of Simple Chess offers a strategic weapon for players at every level of expertise.

    This book assists all players in their efforts to improve, and provides fresh insights into the opening and early middlegame.Rowson presents many new ideas on how Black should best combat White's early initiative, and make use of the extra information that he gains as a result of moving second. For instance, he shows that in some cases a situation he calls 'Zugzwang Lite' can arise, where White finds himself lacking any constructive moves. He also takes a close look at the theories of two players who, in differing styles, have specialized in championing Black's cause: Mihai Suba and Andras Adorjan. Readers are also equipped with a 'mental toolkit' that will enable them to handle many typical over-the-board situations with greater success, and avoid a variety of psychological pitfalls.Chess for Zebras offers fresh insights into human idiosyncrasies in all phases of the game. The depth and breadth of this book will therefore help players to appreciate chess at a more profound level, and make steps towards sustained and significant improvement.

    A classic in chess literature.

    This modern guide to pawn structures, written by an experienced grandmaster, analyzes a variety of typical formations, and explains the approaches, patterns, and techniques used by professionals in all phases of the game. The know-how gained from the sample matches presented will give any player a practical advantage on the board.

    Photos & game diagrams. Full description

    Including a literary profile of Tony Miles.

    Joe Gallagher provides 365 checkmate puzzles to help readers sharpen their skills. In each position, the task is to find a way to force a clear-cut win. The theme is always checkmate: either the enemy king perishes, or can only be saved at a decisive cost in material. Joe Gallagher is ideally qualified to write on this subject. Throughout his career, he has been especially feared for his attacking ability and tactical skills. The puzzles, most of which have never before been published, are grouped into categories, starting with easier positions and working up to more difficult ones. Full solutions are given, and all the positions have been carefully checked for alternative solutions and for soundness of the actual solution.

    The 20th Anniversary Edition and international bestseller!In 1998, the authors set out to demonstrate the viability of the Accelerated Dragon as a weapon for Black, not fearing the Maroczy Bind or any other set-up White can come up with.In the intervening year, the opening has been part of the opening repertoires of world top players such as Carlsen, Ivanchuk, and numerous other top grandmasters.Even though the original material is now older, it is still very instructive and will enhance anyone's general understanding of chess and, specifically, of the Accelerated Dragon.This book contains all the original material of the first edition with some additional main games as well a couple of entirely new segments.Peter Heine Nielsen is by now a familiar name chess circles, having been the main coach in six successful World Championship matches for World Champions Vishwanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen, he has won FIDE Trainer Commission's Coach of the Year award in 2016 and a top grandmaster in his own right, with a peak rating of 2700.Carsten Hansen is a FIDE Master & FIDE Trainer who has author 27 chess books on all phases of the game as well as being a regular contributor to New In Chess Yearbook and a columnist for American Chess Magazine and the Danish quarterly Skakbladet.

    Speelman's strategies provide entertainment and instruction in abundance.Intermediate

    As soon as a topic has been introduced and a few basic ideas discussed, you are immediately invited to immerse yourself in the subject by solving a series of relevant positions. The solutions to these positions feature a wealth of practical advice and further discussion of endgame principles and the key theoretical points. All the main types of endgames are covered: pawn endings, minor-piece endings, rook endings and queen endings. Rosen discusses important elements in endgame strategy, such as pawn-structure, passed pawns, space advantage, breakthrough and Zugzwang. Endgames are often highly tactical, and this is reflected throughout this book in exercises that require precise calculation, and in sections devoted to typical tactical themes. There is a wealth of exercises throughout the book.

    This is a gem of peasurable, delightful reading.

    Nick de Firmian, the International Grandmaster who "taught" the supercomputer Deep Blue, reveals how the opening moves of a chess game set its pace and tone and can even determine who wins or loses. In Chess Openings the Easy Way, a special edition of MCO for beginning and intermediate players, de Firmian selects the most important chess openings and the latest innovations of the game.

    Yet in the Return Match a year later, with a surprising demonstration of aggressive chess, Botvinnik completely outplayed his young opponent and ran out the easy winner. All 21 games of the match are deeply annotated.

    Una nueva y fascinante perspectiva en el juego del ajedrez: ms fcil, ms rpida, ms sencilla y en todo tipo de tableros.

    This superb manual utilizes the "Read and Play" method to explain typical plans and themes, rather than diving into dense reference material.Intermediate

    In this first ever book solely devoted to the a...6 Slav, Grandmaster and openings expert Glenn Flear delves into the secrets of this complex line. He explains the tactics and positional ideas for both White and Black and presents a comprehensive coverage of the theory, concentrating on all the new wrinkles and discoveries.* Written by a prominent openings theoretician* All major lines are covered* Ideal for club and tournament players

    In this highly readable, practical guide, a former leading Soviet grandmaster shares a wealth of hard-earned, tactical wisdom. Whether you want to add to your opening repertoire, shore up your middle game or enhance your end moves, you'll find a strategic approach to suit your needs. Evaluate a variety of gambit systems; anticipate the strengths and weaknesses of the respective pawn formations; or assess the mobility, vulnerability, and comparative value of individual pieces. Exchanges and positional sacrifices are also covered. Become a focused, flexible strategist, and take your opponents by surprise every time.

    It also covers regional and income group aggregates. A pocket-sized reference on key development data by country, it presents 54 indicators for 206 countries and regional and income country groups. It is intended as a reference tool for readers of the World Development Indicators 2003 as well as for instructors, researchers and students.

    Three-time US Champion Lev Alburt and World Chess Hall of Fame Curator Al Lawrence have put together three centuries of insights from the masters. Fun to browse or to read from cover-to-cover, it's a book that all chess playersfrom beginners to grandmasterslwiull enjoy for a lifetime. Like life, chess has its rules. The difference that your parents probably didn't tell you about chess.Never cross the street before looking both ways.Never discuss portable explosives in the airport security line.Never overthrow the cut-off man.Never download email from someone you don't know.Never take the queen's knight pawn.Save hours of head-scratching and uncertainty in your own games and understand why the masters make the moves they do:The worst square for a White knight is b.2.With rook vs. two knights, exchanging queens is worth a pawn.Never capture the b.2 pawn with the queen.Rooks united on the seventh are blind pigs.The winner is the one who commits the next-to-last mistake.Backed up with diagrams and illustrations to help you remember key principles, a glossary of essential chess terms and a rundown on all major openings, Chess Rules of Thumb will improve your chess play. And it's great fun to read!Never buy a chess book that isn't fun!

    A manual that explains both the theory and important themes that surround this opening.

    144 pages

    Clear and concise instructions help the chess player to ensure that he/she does not get cornered early on in the game. No expert knowledge of the game is necessary. These problems obey explicitly the rules of chess and, if you know the moves of the pieces, solving them will be well within your capabilities. That is not to say they are all easy to solve--they vary. The pleasure of problem chess lies not in the difficulty of solution, but in an appreciation of how White wins. There are no dull draws here, only exciting mate finishes. The clarity and pertinence of this book make it a must-have for anyone who is interested in becoming an avid chess player, and a challenging companion for the more advanced player.

    Rather than focusing on established "correct" principles, Jansa--an internationally renowned player and coach--examines the exceptions to the rules, which are an essential part of achieving mastery, rather than just being a "good student."Intermediate

    All four books are written in a user-friendly style with an abundance of notes, tips, and warnings scattered throughout, while key strategies, ideas, and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated. The authors of these books are all very skilled and experienced chess writers, who are used to writing for players of all levels and are renowned for their ability to explain ideas in a lucid and straightforward manner.-- User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas-- Concentrates on the fundamental principles of the openings-- Ideal for the improving player

    Although three decades have passed since Fischer won the world chess title from the former Soviet Union, he still remains a source of fascination and admiration for all players. Andy Soltis, a grandmaster and author of numerous chess books, looks back at his first encounters with Fischer in New York when they were both teenagers; assesses Fischer's exceptional ability to obtain and realize an advantage in play; and analyzes his career right up to his final matches with Boris Spassky. Most important, Soltis comments on and annotates many of Fischer's major matches in detail, explaining the logic behind the moves in illuminating detail. A must for any fan of chess and this remarkably enigmatic champion.

    In this book Grandmaster and opening expert John Emms produces a comprehensive but workable black repertoire against all of White's possible options in the Najdorf.The Najdorf is one of the most sharp, dynamic, and popular openings that Black can play and is a firm favorite amongst the world's elite players, including world number one Garry Kasparov.

    In a simple, easy-to-understand format it explains how to bamboozle your chess opponents using commonly occurring tactical motifs. The illustrative positions, all taken from real games, show the 50 Tricky Tactics that experienced chess masters use to win their games. Recognising frequently-occurring tactical ideas is vital to success in chess. One of the fastest and most enjoyable ways to improve at chess is by learning these thematic manoeuvres. Beginners will benefit from the clear explanation of basic concepts, such as how to utilise a fork, pin, or skewer. Advanced players will delight in the many devious middlegame tricks - some classified here for the first time - which can catch out even grandmasters. Chess Tactics for Kids makes improving easy and fun, and is full of helpful explanations on how to approach chess games with confidence - and success.