Leading chess author Colin Crouch selects and explains over 30 sensational games, all from the new millennium. By studying battles between the world's best players, Crouch examines in detail all the key areas of modern chess. Powerful attacking and resourceful defending, bloodthirsty tactical battles, profound positional mastery, deep opening preparation and superb endgame play are all in evidence here, while Crouch also explores the ever-increasing role of computers and the way human imagination can work in harness with them. There is something for everyone in this book: aspiring players will benefit greatly from the clear explanations of the fundamentals, while stronger players will gain considerably from Crouch's deep insight and analysis in more complex positions. This book reflects the continuing changes in modern chess, and how you can use the lessons learned to great effect in your own games.

Two great books from the Everyman Chess Library, French Classical by Byron Jacobs and French Winawer by Neil McDonald, brought together in one volume. In French Classical International Master Byron Jacobs offers a fresh look at the Classical variation of the French Defence, which has been popular for nearly a century and is championed by such fighting players as Victor Korchnoi and Alexander Morozevich. All of the important variations are considered in detail with particular emphasis on those which are most fashionable. A modern look at the highly fashionable French Winawer, which remains the sharpest variation of the French Defence. It leads to the kind of dynamic positions in which the better prepared and more aggressive player will invariably prevail. Leading expert Neil McDonald explains the strategy and tactics of this exciting opening in a clear and concise manner.

This comprehensive chronological reference lists the results of men's chess competitions from all over the world. Individual and team matches, from the famous to the lesser known, are recorded. Entries note the location and, when available, the group that sponsored the event. First and last names of players are included whenever possible and are standardized for easy reference. Published sources are cited.Compiled from contemporary sources such as newspapers, periodicals, tournament records and match books, this work contains 980 tournament cross tables and 155 match scores. It is indexed by events and players.

Ireland is awash with would-be kings, power-hungry pretenders, and self-professed rulers. The provinces are in disarray, and the common folk are paying the price. The land needs a leader. In Brian Boru, players will strive to unite Ireland under their domain, securing control through might, cunning, and matrimony. Join forces to fend off Viking invaders, build monasteries to extend your influence, and gather support in towns and villages throughout the land. To become High King of all Ireland, you will need to navigate a web of shifting alliances, outmanoeuvre your enemies, and grab history by the reins. Includes rules in English and German. Number of players: 3-5 Ages: 14+ Play time: 60-90 minutes Components: Board, 46 cards, 139 tokens, 125 wooden discs

Magnus Carlsen: A Life in Pictures tells the story of the reigning World Chess Champion. Magnus Carlsen, born in 1990 in Oslo, Norway, became a Grandmaster by 13. Carlsen was crowned World Champion in 2013, when he defeated Anand and has successfully defended his title three times. He currently plays again for the title in Dubai. Carlsen is a family man, often surrounded by his father, mother and sisters. As a sports fanatic he plays and follows football and basketball. He doesnt shy away from his celebrity status, and was both a G-Star model and a Real Madrid VIPguest. But his most genuine smile breaks through when he talks chess with his youngest fans, the kids in a chess tournament. For this book, publisher New In Chess, part of the Play Magnus Group, had access to pictures of the Carlsen family archive and to all pictures of the best chess photographers.

In chess the Spanish opening, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, is so respected that many Black players immediately start to defend. Sabino Brunello shows that Black can fight right from the start. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.00 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 00 8.c3 d5 The Marshall Attack is sound and aggressive, so it is no surprise that it is favoured by the world's best. The theory is so complex that an expert guide is required, and Brunello is well suited to the task. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 The Schliemann, with its reversed King's Gambit flair, has always been popular with club players, but grandmasters knew it was unsound. Then Teimour Radjabov started playing it successfully against the elite and sparked a revival. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.00 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 00 9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 d5 The Gajewski variation is brand new. The position after White's tenth move had been reached a thousand times with 10...c5 universally played, before the Polish grandmaster Gajewski revealed that Black has a fascinating gambit at his disposal.

One of the main reasons the Sicilian is the most popular opening is that is it promotes such bold and aggressive chess. This work introduces, categorizes and analyses the 'Seven Deadly Sacrifices' White has at his disposal. It covers main lines of the Sicilian.

This comprehensive chronological reference lists the results of men's chess competitions from all over the world. Individual and team matches, from the famous to the lesser known, are recorded. Entries note the location and, when available, the group that sponsored the event. First and last names of players are included whenever possible and are standardized for easy reference. Published sources are cited.Compiled from contemporary sources such as newspapers, periodicals, tournament records and match books, this work contains 810 tournament crosstables and 80 match scores. It is indexed by events and players.

Which opening does better in practice: the wild, unsound" and refuted" Latvian Gambit (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 f5) or the solid Philidor Defence (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6)? As James Schuyler points out, referring to the definitive Megabase, the Latvian Gambit scores higher. How can such a discredited opening (and the same story is repeated with other unsound" openings) do so well? The point is that playing like this throws the opponent off balance, makes them anxious and induces mistakes. Even the very best players recognize the value of discomforting the opponent. Historically, Emanuel Lasker was the master of this approach and his modern day equivalent is world champion Magnus Carlsen. Carlsen frequently employs offbeat openings and his opponents invariably fail to counter them correctly. This is the key theme of this book. Schuyler covers all phases of the game and discusses other vital subjects such as harassment, material imbalance, time management, surprise moves, unusual ideas, provocative play, manoeuvres and recovering from bad positions. *Includes methods to improve practical play*Develops a win-oriented attitude*Examines ways to induce mistakes

Boris Spassky is one of the greatest chess players in the history of the game. He was the World Champion for three years, after winning the title by beating Tigran Petrosian. His name is forever linked with his great rival Bobby Fischer and their epic 1972 'Match of the Century', which did so much to popularize the game throughout the world. Over the board, Spassky is renowned for his universal style, as he was equally skilled in all phases on the game. In Spassky's best games his pieces seemed to combine together in perfect harmony, and he produced a number of memorable masterpieces. In this book, Grandmaster Zenon Franco examines in detail Spassky's chess style, selects and studies his favorite Spassky games, and demonstrates how we can all improve our chess by learning from Spassky's play. 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 practicing 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. *Learn from the games of a chess legend *Important ideas absorbed by continued practice *Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study

The Ruy Lopez is incredibly common at all levels of chess, and everyone who plays 1 e4 e5 as Black needs to have a reliable antidote to this powerful opening. In this book, Milos Pavlovic provides the answer, devising a sound and yet ambitious repertoire for Black, the basis of which is provided by the legendary and ever-popular Marshall Attack. The Marshall is a perfect weapon for Black, as it avoids passive positions and the so-called 'Spanish torture' of many other variations. In contrast, with the Marshall Black's objectives are clear-cut and often involve a direct mating attack against the white king!

Questions of Modern Chess Theory is the lost masterpiece of Soviet chess literature. It was written by a double Ukrainian Champion, and published in the Soviet Union in 1956. Russian experts say it is one of the most influential chess books of the 20th century, yet it was never published in English.It has been edited to make it useful for the 21st century and is now accessible for the first time to an English-speaking audience.

The Najdorf Sicilian is one of the most sharp, dynamic and popular openings that Black can play and is a firm favorite amongst the worlds elite players, including world number one Garry Kasparov. From very early on, Black unbalances the game to a reach a position in which one can play for the win without exceptional risk.
The soundness of the Najdorf has never been seriously doubted, but some players can be put off by the ever-spiraling amount of theory amassed on this great opening. In Play the Najdorf: Scheveningen Style, however, Grandmaster and openings expert John Emms condenses this mountain to produce a workable black repertoire against all of Whites possible options. Emms concentrates on lines where Black adopts a very early ..e7-e6, thus establishing the well-known Scheveningen pawn structure.
Play the Najdorf explains an opening championed by Garry Kasparov; is written by a renowned openings theoretician; covers all of Whites main replies.

Formidable adversaries are arrayed against you. Your people stand ready. History beckons. In your hands lies the destiny of one of most storied peoples of history. Under constant threat of attack, you must conquer new lands, oversee dramatic scientific and cultural advances, and lead your people into the era of empire. Expand too rapidly, and unrest will bring your civilisation to its knees; build up too slowly, however, and you might find yourself a mere footnote of history. As one of eight radically asymmetric civilisations, you will compete to become the most dominant empire the world has ever seen. Imperium: Legends is a standalone game that contains the three most challenging civilisations in Imperium - the Arthurians, Utopians, and Atlantians - as well as the Egyptians, Mauryan, Minoan, Olmec, and Qin civilisations, each of which can be played against solo. It is fully compatible with Imperium: Classics for players wanting to expand their pool of civilisations even further. Players: 1-4 Ages: 14+ Playing Time: 40 mins per player Contents: 280+ cards, 150+ tokens

In your hands lies the destiny of one of history's great civilisations. Under constant threat of attack, you must conquer new lands, oversee dramatic scientific and cultural advances, and lead your people into the era of empire. Expand too rapidly, and unrest will bring your civilization to its knees; build up too slowly, however, and you might find yourself a mere footnote of history. As one of eight radically asymmetric civilisations, you will compete to become the most dominant empire the world has ever seen.

Imperium: Classics is a standalone game that contains the Carthaginian, Celt, Greek, Macedonian, Persian, Roman, Scythian, and Viking civilisations and an individual solo opponent behaving as each nation. It is fully compatible with Imperium: Legends for players wanting to expand their pool of civilisations even further.

Learn sure-fire tactics and combinations from one of the world's top chess players
Attack? Defend? Swap pieces? Tactics are the watchdogs of strategy that take advantage of short-term opportunities to trap or ambush your opponent and quite possibly change the course of a game in a single move. Why play in a fog, only hoping that your opponent will blunder when International Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan can show you how to put the tactics of the world's chess legends to work for you. Choose from the double attack, the pin, the skewer, deflection, the decor, x-rays, windmills and many more time-tested tactics.
Using classic board situations arranged in chapters by tactical themes, Seirawan teaches you how to:
Plan your entire game from the very first move
Think ahead, step-by-step, anticipating every obstacle your opponent can throw your way
Position yourself for the smashing combination and endgame you've always dreamed of
Board positions from actual games played by history's great chess tacticians are provided throughout. Review tests for each topic let you track your improvement. In no time you'll be playing better, with more confidence than you ever thought possible.

Improve your RPG campaign with this comprehensive and interactive guide to making the most out of your gaming experience. Whatever RPG game you play, from D&D to Call of Cthulu to licensed games like Star Wars, every detail is important. From setting the scene to choosing the right music or even adjusting the lighting to create the right atmosphere, every choice helps maximize your gaming experience. The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide provides practical advice for everything from pre-game preparations and in-game improvisation to working out a plan of attack with your teammates to learning how to lean into the setting of your game. Including instructions, prompts, and activities, it offers everything you need for successful, fun role-playing with your friends every time you play. Create hours of narrative and make the most out of your storytelling skills by setting the perfect scene for your adventure. Whether you need advice on your character or working better with your gaming group, James D'Amato includes everything you'll need to take your game to the next level.

This is a chess book for everyone, from eight to eighty, beginner to master. In a clear, easy-to-follow format it explains how the best way to beat a stronger opponent in the opening stage of the game. Delightful and instructive games of famous players are used to show the 50 most effective opening traps that chess masters use to win their games.