The family of board games by Christian Lacroix welcomes a new addition this season: Backgammon. The House offers its interpretation of this famous classic. Features: The set's hard case is decorated with the diamonds of the Mascarade pattern and the Fleurs Cannibales hybrid flowers. The embossed, varnished and hot-stamped details come together in a game that combines elegance and entertainment. The case folds out to reveal the game board, decorated in two-tone shading. The same pink and blue shading is also used on the 30 wooden checkers and dice.

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.

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.

The 125 greatest chess games of all time, selected, analysed, re-evaluated and explained by a team of British experts and illustrated with over 1,000 chess diagrams. Join the authors in studying these games, the cream of two centuries of international chess, and develop your own chess-playing skills - whatever your current standard. Instructive points at the end of each game highlight the lessons to be learned. First published in 1998, a second edition of The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games in 2004 included an additional 12 games. This edition includes a further 13 games as well as some significant revisions to the analysis and information regarding other games in earlier editions of the book, facilitated by the use of a variety of chess software.

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.

In December 2012 Magnus Carlsen won the prestigious London Chess Classic and in doing so he became the highest-rated chess player in the history of the game, beating Garry Kasparov's 13-year-old record. Carlsen followed up this performance with another phenomenal tournament win at Wijk aan Zee, pushing his peak rating to an astronomical 2872. He didn't lose a single game in either tournament. What is Carlsen's secret? How did an already world-class player succeed in reaching this unprecedented level where he was regularly beating the world's strongest grandmasters? In this book, International Master Colin Crouch provides answers to these questions. Crouch studies Carlsen's progress in recent years and demonstrates how he learned lessons from previous setbacks, turned weaknesses into strengths, losses into draws, and draws into wins. By doing so Carlsen was able to elevate his play to a stratospheric level, but any aspiring chess player can use similar methods to improve their game. *The story of Carlsen's record-breaking performances *In-depth analysis of Carlsen's games *Learn from the World's number one player

Board games are flat out fun! They continue to fascinate players and collectors alike, long after their lives on toy store shelves, and their appeal is rapidly growing. Demand for games has only increased worldwide with the growth of the Internet fueling the collector market. From Monopoly to Battleship, Annie Oakley to Magilla Gorilla, this completely new book presents over 1,000 color photographs of board games, from current favorites to great classics dating back to the 1920s. It includes an informative text, vintage advertisements, and current market prices. There is a special chapter on Remco Industries, which had a small but sought after output of games in the 1950s and 1960s. More Board Games** continues where the author's first book, Board Games**, left off. It is sure to satisfy the game-playing appetites of collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts everywhere.

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!

Disconnect from a device-oriented world and rediscover the classic Chinese game of mahjong-while improving focus, creativity and stimulating memory-with this comprehensive yet gifty guide that includes all the basics of the game, tips and techniques on how to play, and strategies to win both international mahjong and American mahjong. The classic game of mahjong was created over 2,000 years ago during the Qing Dynasty in China, but recently, it's experiencing a renaissance. No longer reserved for older players, mahjong is being rediscovered by millennials and is recognized for its ability to improve brain function, and reduce symptoms of cognitive diseases like dementia. Learning any new game can be difficult, especially one as complex as mahjong, which includes over dozens of tiles with different meanings. But whether you are a complete novice or a casual player looking to brush up on mahjong skills and techniques, The Little Book of Mahjong can help you get ahead in this classic game, whether you are playing international mahjong or American mahjong. With a comprehensive breakdown on all of the various tiles involved in the different versions of the game, explanations of what each tile means, detailed information on scoring, tips on how to improve your skills, and strategies for winning, this guide is perfect for mahjong players both new and old. Including a brief history of the game and its significance as well as full-color photos of game pieces and game objectives, you'll become a mahjong master in no time.

The Sicilian Defence is by far the most popular chess opening. If you play 1 e4 as White, on average you are likely to meet the Sicilian in virtually every other game! You need to be prepared to face the Sicilian at all times, and a ready-to-use repertoire against it is an indispensible weapon.In this book, Gawain Jones confronts the challenge of meeting the Sicilian head on. He has constructed a comprehensive Anti-Sicilian repertoire for White, which is based on lines he has successfully employed at grandmaster level. These are sound, reliable options for White, but don't be fooled - they also contain more than a drop of poison. Variations covered include the popular King's Indian Attack, various Bb5 systems and weapons against Black's offbeat tries.

• A Grandmaster's repertoire against the Sicilian
• Packed with new ideas and critical analysis
• Highlights key tactical and positional ideas

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.

The c3 Sicilian has been one of the most widely played openings among club and tournament players for more than a decade. It leads to dynamic play in which the better prepared player invariably comes out on top. In this handy battle manual, highly-regarded author Grandmaster Joe Gallagher offers a comprehensive survey of the state of current theory for both White and Black players, explaining the basic elements, strategies and tactics for both sides. (6 1/8' x 9 1/8', 176 pages, illustrations)

The Modern Defence is not a solid opening. In fact, on some level maybe it's not an opening at all. It's the Wild West of chess opening theory, a safe haven for true chess lovers who are just spoiling for a fight. The structures that can result are almost unlimited in their variety and the potential for dynamic piece play is also huge. You need real passion to play it, and also the ability to work hard at the board. But it's also played at the very top: even the names Carlsen and Kramnik occur sometimes in these pages! This book is primarily intended for players who want to play the position after 1.e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 for Black. However, and inevitably for the computer age, there is also a strong focus on chess truth. That means there are also some recommendations for White that are not yet well-known in mainstream opening theory, and that the book has something to offer everyone.

You are one of the thirty Knights Templar who awoke on Friday, 13 October 1307, only to find themselves wanted criminals and branded heretics by the King of France. Abandoned by the Vatican and sent away early in the morning, you must leave Paris on a day of reckoning and try to find your way across a dark, mythic Europe to a mystical utopia where you can rebuild! Heirs to Heresy starts as a historical-fantasy roleplaying game, but is heavily influenced by Gnosticism, European Folklore, esotericism, and the myths and legends that surround the Templars. The game will ask you to craft the secrets of the Templar treasure, the enemies, and mysteries they will face, as your Knights undertake a mystical journey to the center of themselves along the road to Avallonis. The mechanics are a blend of narrative, storytelling rules, and classic adventure-gaming inspired roleplaying rules that work to create rich aspect-driven characters. As Templar Knights, your skill at arms is unquestionable, but it is the potential access to gnostic spells, unique powers, or intensely powerful faith sets you apart from your comrades. Can you tap into your potential, guarding the mysterious Templar treasure on this last quest you will take for the order and find the answer to the burning question: are the Templars Heirs to Heresy?

Put your shades on, because this special edition of Millennial Loteria is shiny AF! And now up to 20 people can play! Every single card and board in this premium edition got a glow-up to guarantee your party is more lit than ever. Born from the viral Instagram account @MillennialLoteria, this game is a modern twist on the popular "Mexican Bingo" and features extra boards, cards, and bitcoins for up to 20 players. Millennial Loteria Shiny AF features: 56 Iridescent Cards (a combo of our original favorites made shiny + new cards that are funny AF) 20 Game Boards 160 Bitcoins 1 Enamel Pin ...All in one Shiny Box No filter necessary, the Millennial Loteria La Shiny AF Edition already shines bright like a diamond! OMG IMPORTANT INFO: This Shiny AF version is a stand alone game, and is not an expansion pack to be combined with other game sets.

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

If you are aware of endgame patterns, you spot key moves quicker, analyse and calculate better, avoid making errors and memorise what you have studied more fully. The Queen's Gambit is easily the most talked-about chess opening since the immensely popular Netflix TV series of the same name became a hit. The screen adventures of Beth Harmon have inspired thousands to start playing the Royal Game but didn't offer any information on this highly popular chess opening. This book fills that gap. German Grandmaster Michael Prusikin presents a solid but dynamic opening repertoire for Black against the Queen's Gambit. He wants you to understand rather than memorize what is important. His primary focus is on explaining the relevant pawn structures and the middlegame ideas behind the lines he recommends. Prusikin deals with every single variation of the Queen's Gambit in a way that is highly accessible for club players but at the same time surprisingly effective and concise: the Catalan, Tartakower, Carlsbad, London, Colle, Veresov, and all the others. As a bonus, the FIDE Senior Trainer also provides responses to openings such as the Bird, Reti, and Nimzo-Larsen. It may seem unlikely, and yet it is true: in less than 200 pages, Countering the Queen's Gambit has Black covered for really every first move except 1.e4! To test your newly acquired insights in the tactical motifs and strategic ideas of the Queen's Gambit, you are invited to solve 36 exercises in carefully selected key positions from actual games.

The chess world has witnessed a great number of wonderfully gifted attacking players, geniuses who have dazzled the chess public with their brilliant masterpieces. Everyone has their own favourites, and in "Chess Secrets: Great Attackers," Colin Crouch chooses three of his own: Garry Kasparov, Mikhail Tal and Leonid Stein. World Champions Kasparov and Tal need no introduction, while Stein was a highly creative and intuitive player with the ability to destroy the world's best players with his vicious attacks.Crouch examines their differing approaches and styles, and highlights some crucial themes, including the idea of controlled risk - in some sacrificial attacks even the greatest players can't always see everything to the end. A study of this book will help you to enhance your skills in one of the most crucial elements of the game. *An entertaining and instructive guide to attacking chess*Learn from the greats of the game*Discover how famous chess minds work "Chess Secrets" is" "a new series of books which uncover the mysteries of the most important aspects of chess study: strategy, attacking play, opening play and gambits, classical play, endgames and preparation. In each book the author chooses and deeply studies a number of great players from chess history who have excelled in a particular field of the game and who have genuinely influenced their descendants. Dr Colin Crouch is an International Master, an extremely experienced tournament player and a highly regarded chess writer. His previous books for Everyman Chess include "Queens"" Gambit Declined: 5 Bf4!," which has been highly acclaimed for its thoroughness and originality, with one reviewer describing it as 'the opening bookof the year'. He has been a regular columnist for "British Chess Magazine" and "CHESS."