Tactimania is a chess puzzle book with a difference. Grandmaster Glenn Flear makes sure the puzzles are unfamiliar to the reader by selecting them only from games played by himself or his wife Christine. The puzzles start at a moderate level then get steadily more difficult. The reader will be challenged by the puzzles and entertained by the manga-style illustrations that feature throughout. Glenn Flear is a respected chess grandmaster, author and coach. Early in his career, Glenn achieved one of the greatest-ever chess surprises when, as a last-minute substitute, he won the London 1986 tournament ahead of a host of famous players. Glenn and Christine married during this event! Christine is a five-time French Women's Champion and their son James, a computer artist, created the illustrations.

Chess has developed such a large body of myth and folklore that sorting fact from fiction is not easy. As with Edward Winter's previous volumes in his ""Chess Notes"" series - ""Chess Explorations"" (1996), ""Kings, Commoners and Knaves"" (1999) and ""A Chess Omnibus"" (2003) - this work (from a new publisher) features in-depth research into chess lore, corrections of popular misconceptions, biographical notes on famous players, and authenticated quotations. There is a rich selection of forgotten games, and many items include contributions from the author's correspondents worldwide. Written for the general chess enthusiast and the devotee of chess history, the book is illustrated with more than 220 rare photographs and 122 diagrams of chess positions. It concludes with a bibliography and indexes of players, games and openings, illustrations, and general subjects.

These books are perfect for enthusiastic chess players who are starting out in the game, and who are seeking to understand the basic principles behind these important openings: the Ruy Lopez and the English. Both 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 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.These books will be especially beneficial to those players who have previously sharpened their chess skills with the earlier books Starting Out in Chess, Tips for Young Players, and Improve Your Opening Play.In this revolutionary book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald revisits the basic principles behind the English and its many variations. Throughout this easy-to-read guide readers are aided by a wealth of notes, tips, and warnings from the author, while key strategies, ideas, and tactics for Doth sides are clearly illustrated. This book is ideal for the improving players.

The Dark House lies abandoned. Who knows what horrors lie within? Once the home of one of the Empire's grandest family, the Dark House lies as an epitaph to their fall. As you fight your way across the two-storied Mansion map, you will find remnants of their wicked ways. Out back, struggle through the Hedge Maze map, sinister and long overgrown with vicious thorns. Down below, in the Crypt map, encounter the deadly curse that once cast a noble line into oblivion. This board expansion for Wildlands gives players three new maps, two of which are specifically designed for two players. Each map features new rules, new challenges, and new opportunities. Requires a copy of Wildlands to play. Number of players: 2-4 Ages: 14+ Playing time: 30-60 minutes Components: 2 boards, rule sheet

These books are perfect for enthusiastic chess players who are starting out in the game, and who are seeking to understand the basic principles behind these most important openings: the Sicilian, the King's Indian, the Nimzo-Indian, and the French. 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

Chess players are offered an ambitious repertoire for White with 1.e4 in two volumes, with this book covering all lines except the Sicilian and French defenses.

The Nimzo-Indian is one of Black's most universally popular and respectable answers to 1 d4. It could be said that no other opening allows Black to play for a win from such a sound positional basis, while its flexibility gives rise to a multitude of different positions rich in tactical and positional play. The list of Nimzo-Indian admirers runs like a who's who of the chess world: Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, Vishy Anand, Anatoly Karpov, and Michael Adams are just a handful of top Grandmasters who have utilized it with great effect.
With the Nimzo-Indian being such a fashionable opening, some Black players are put off by the possibility of having to learn a labyrinth of different variations. However, in "Play the Nimzo-Indian," Edward Dearing solves this problem by constructing a concise and workable repertoire for Black, offering a solution against each of White's tries, whether it's a critical main line or a tricky side variation. Readers will gain the necessary knowledge and confidence to begin playing the Nimzo-Indian in their games.
>Explains an opening favored by the world's elite
>Written by a renowned openings expert
>Covers all of White's main tries

This is the ideal book for serious adult players who want to improve. It describes a study plan that came about thanks to a re-evaluation of standard chess teaching and includes several unique components aimed at improving deficiencies in the play of adult players.This book is the only one of its kind for the simple reason that it has been written by an author who hugely improved his own rating over a twelve month period by following his own advice. He therefore fully understands the challenges faced by enthusiastic players who are relatively new to the game. This is in sharp contrast to most books aimed at this level which are usually written by very strong players who have long forgotten what it feels like to be starting out in the game. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 128 pages, diagrams)

The middlegame can prove to be a minefield for many players, throwing up numerous difficult questions. Is this a good time to get active or should I consolidate my position? Should I have a long think in this position, or save time for later? Are desperate measures called for or should I just try to defend solidly? In Mastering the Middlegame, International master Angus Dunnington answers these and other questions that frequently baffle players of all levels.This guide explains how strong players approach tactical and positional play; numerous test positions enable readers to gauge their progress; revolutionary layout allows readers to absorb the key ideas. (7 x 9 1/2, 144 pages, diagrams)

The Colle is a solid, reliable system of development based on the popular opening move 1 d4. A major selling point is that although the system is very easy to learn and play it leads to complex, exciting middlegame positions where White often launches a violent attack against Black's king. The former World Correspondence Champion Cecil Purdy once wrote, 'A player who specializes in the Colle System needs to spend only about a tenth of the time studying the openings (for White) that he would otherwise have to.' The Colle is a particular favourite amongst club players, but is often also seen at grandmaster level; perhaps its most well-known exponents are the former World Championship Candidate Artur Yusupov and the twice World Junior Champion Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.
This book is a further addition to Everyman's best-selling "Starting Out" series, which has been acclaimed for its original approach to tackling chess openings. International Master Richard Palliser examines the fundamentals of the Colle, elaborating on the crucial early moves and ideas for both sides in a way that is often neglected in other texts. The reader is helped throughout with a plethora of notes, tips and warnings highlighting the vital characteristics of the Colle and of opening play in general. "Starting Out: The Colle "is a perfect guide for improving players and those new to this opening.
*Written by a Colle expert
*Concentrates on the basic principles of the openings
*Ideal for improvers, club players and tournament players
Richard Palliser is a young English International Master who is quickly carving out a reputation as a skilled and prolific chess writer. His previous works for EverymanChess include "The" "Bb5 Sicilian" and "Tango!,"" "both of" "which were warmly received by the critics and chess public alike.

In chess literature, there have only been a few chess books that have immediately - and permanently - established themselves as classics, and this is one of them. The original English edition, published 75 years ago, used English descriptive notation, contained only one photograph, no crosstables and was in two volumes. This new 21st-century edition, presented with modern algebraic notation, has * combined both books into a single volume * added more than three dozen archival photographs * crosstables * Alekhine's complete match and tournament records * a Foreword by Russian grandmaster Igor Zaitsev * with many more diagrams * a comprehensive computer-assisted analytical supplement is also available for free download Whether you feel as if you are revisiting an old friend, or being introduced to this splendid game collection for the first time, you will marvel at how Alekhine's games and works remain extraordinarily consonant with the modern approach.

An insightful new book that is perfect for newcomers to chess inspired by Netflix's Queen's Gambit. Written by one of the best chess communicators in the business, chess master and chess journalist Andy Soltis divulges practical advice and explains technical terms that chess books often overlook. From learning how to train your mind with chess information to choosing the best chess opening, dip in and out of this invaluable guide to improve your chess in a minutes.  Chess questions answered in this book include: Is there a best way to study chess? How do I know if I have a natural talent? How important is chess memory and how can I train mine? How long should I think before choosing a move?  Is there a proper way to think? Can I think like a chess computer? How do I develop chess intuition?  Don't try to swallow too much information in one sitting. Dip in and out of these great chess questions to better understand the game and let the improvement happen incrementally. 

The Vienna Game (1 e4 e5 2 Nc3) has a long history and a bright future. From the second move White starts to dictate the game, taking play away from the heavily analyzed Ruy Lopez and Two Knights Defense and into a totally different arena. White has great flexibility and can choose between either tactical or positional lines depending on his or her style of play. In view of this, it is perhaps hardly surprising that such enterprising players as Nigel Short, Michael Adams and Boris Spassky have enjoyed great success with the Vienna in recent years. This book provides everything you need to know to start playing the Vienna as White or Black. Through the use of model games for both sides, the author provides a thorough grounding in the key ideas, so that readers can quickly and confidently start to use the Vienna in their own games. This guide contains up-to-date coverage of an always popular opening and covers every important variation in the Vienna. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 144 pages, diagrams)

This book contains good tenets of the great game of backgammon. How does a winning backgammon player think as each individual game develops? Opening rolls are described, with strategy lessons in mind. Basics of probability and estimation, as they apply to backgammon, are reviewed. The power of the doubling cube - as a weapon - is discussed. The goal is not to merely list a few backgammon tips, but to teach a way of thinking about the game so that readers develop a sense of vision for how backgammon games evolve. We want you to strive for constant improvement in your game. And we want to maximize your backgammon improvement while minimizing your studying and reading time. This book is designed for the serious beginner to the advanced backgammon player.

Few would disagree that the Queen's Gambit is one of the most important openings in chess. It has a long and distinguished history and has been played by virtually all the strongest Grandmasters: Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, Anatoly Karpov, Vishy Anand--the list goes on and on! From the very beginning White develops actively, takes the initiative and strives to dominate the center. Most agree that the Queen's Gambit is White's best chance for an opening advantage after 1 d4 d5.
Despite its many advantages, some prospective Queen's Gambit players are put off by the possibility of having to learn a labyrinth of different variations. In "Play the Queen's Gambit" Chris Ward solves this problem by presenting the reader with a concise and workable repertoire, offering a solution against each of Black's possible defences, whether it's a critical major variation or a tricky sideline. Ward examines the tactical and strategic motifs for both players and arms the reader with enough information and self-assurance to begin playing the Queen's Gambit in his or her own games.
>Explains an opening favored by the world's elite
>Written by a renowned Queen's Gambit expert
>Covers all of Black's defences
>Ideal for club and tournament players

Winner of the 2012 Origins Award

Pull up a chair and see how the world's top game designers roll.

You want your games to be many things: Creative. Innovative. Playable. Fun. If you're a designer, add "published" to that list.

The "Kobold Guide to Board Game Design" gives you an insider's view on how to make a game that people will want to play again and again. Author Mike Selinker (Betrayal at House on the Hill) has invited some of the world's most talented and experienced game designers to share their secrets on game conception, design, development, and presentation.

In these pages, you'll learn about storyboarding, balancing, prototyping, and playtesting from the best in the business.

The Scotch Game is an ideal opening weapon for White. It's ambitious, totally sound and leads to a wide variety of strategically complex positions. This book provides thorough coverage of the critical main lines, recommend the best options for both sides, and outline the key tactical and positional ideas.

Most players would rather attack than defend , with the result that defensive technique is often the weak est part of their game. This book, translated by Ken Neat, e xplains the basics of defensive play & contains many tests f or readers to practice on '

A comprehensive book for players of all ages, Grandmaster Kallai provides a straightforward guide to surviving the maze of chess openings, covering all the popular modern openings starting with 1 d4, 1 c4, and 1 Nf3, as well as some of the lesser known alternatives to 1 e4.Rather than present a mass of bewildering variations, Kallai concentrates on developing solid understanding of the ideas behind each opening.The companion volume to this book, Basic Chess Openings, covers all the openings starting with 1 e4, and is also available from Cadogan.

The Averbakh is a solid and respectable variation against the KID. It bears the name of the well-known Soviet grandmaster, theorist, and endgame specialist Averbakh (photo). Yuri Lvovich Averbakh is the oldest living grandmaster who recently celebrated his 99th birthday in Moscow on 8 February. In the early 1950s, Averbakh was one of the first grandmasters to play the variation more than once. He contributed greatly to the development of its theory. Averbakh used the variation several years, then changed course to other variations to fight the KID. Occasionally, he returned to his old love that by then bore his name

There is no doubt that the Nimzovich Defense is one of Black's most inspiring openings after 1.e4. Black strives to unbalance the position by creating new problems for White from move two, giving himself every opportunity to fight for the initiative from the outset. It is no surprise that 1...Nc6 appeals ambitious players who relish a complicated battle. In this book, GM Christian Bauer explains how to use this powerful weapon drawing from his own successful experiences. He is not shy to show you the fundamental ideas, the traps, the pitfalls and naturally the move order subtleties which play such an important role in our modern game of chess. We are convinced this book will give you plenty of confidence and make your opponent think more than twice.

This book marks the start of a series of four on 1.d4 in which Ivan will share the secrets from two decades spent analyzing and playing it at the pinnacle of world chess. This volume in particular deals with two of the most popular replies Black can play after 1.d4: the King's Indian & Grunfeld Defense. This repertoire book is cutting-edge theory, recommending f3 for White against the fianchetto systems.

This book is about the Marshall Attack and the lines which can be grouped together under the banner of the so-called Anti-Marshall. The theory has developed so much in the last decade that there is more than enough material to be going on with just in those areas, but I also decided to include a detailed look at an important line in the Exchange Variation. Black's key concept in the Marshall is giving up a central pawn in return for activity, and I have tried to give as many lines as possible which adhere closely to this principle. Why is this so significant? Well, for starters, usually in the Ruy Lopez Black is looking for long, slow games in solid, closed positions. The Marshall flips this on its head and Black tries to accelerate the play and radically change the character of the game at an early stage. Let's briefly discuss the material of the book itself and the lines that I have decided to give. First of all, I started off with the standard Marshall Attack, after the initial moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5. I have given direct analysis wherever possible and I have tried to cover all the essential lines. Of course, with the passing of the years and the continual development of theory we can see how the popularity of some positions has shifted and, in some cases, how certain lines have simply been rendered obsolete. I also discovered, to my surprise, that there are still new, unexplored, and interesting paths for further analysis.

These books are perfect for enthusiastic chess players who are starting out in the game, and who are seeking to understand the basic principles behind these important openings: the Pirc/Modern and the Grunfeld. Both 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 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.
These books will be especially beneficial to those players who have previously sharpened their chess skills with the earlier books Starting Out in Chess, Tips for Young Players and Improve Your Opening Play.
*User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas
*Concentrates on the fundamental principles of the openings
*Ideal for the improving player