A chess match seems as solitary an endeavor as there is in sports: two minds, on their own, in fierce opposition. In contrast, Gary Alan Fine argues that chess is a social duet: two players in silent dialogue who always take each other into account in their play. Surrounding that one-on-one contest is a community life that can be nearly as dramatic and intense as the across-the-board confrontation. Fine has spent years immersed in the communities of amateur and professional chess players, and with Players and Pawns he takes readers deep inside them, revealing a complex, brilliant, feisty world of commitment and conflict. Within their community, chess players find both support and challenges, all amid a shared interest in and love of the long-standing traditions of the game, traditions that help chess players build a communal identity. Full of idiosyncratic characters and dramatic gameplay, Players and Pawns is a celebration of the fascinating world of serious chess.

Larry Kaufman can safely be called an exceptional chess grandmaster. Larry Kaufman started out as a prodigy, however not in chess but as a whizz kid in science and math. He excels at shogi (Japanese chess) and Go, and is also a world-famous computer programmer and a highly successful option trader. Remarkably, as a chess player he only peaked at the weirdly late age of fifty. Yet his victories in the chess arena are considerable. Over a career span of nearly sixty years Kaufman won the state championships of Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, D.C. and Pennsylvania. He was an American Open Champion and won the U.S. Senior Championship as well as the World Senior Championship. Never a great chess player himself (his words), he met or played chess greats such as Bobby Fischer, Bent Larsen, Walter Browne, Boris Spassky, Viktor Kortchnoi and many others. He worked as a second to legendary grandmaster Roman Dzindzichashvili, and coached three talented youngsters to become International Master, one of them his son Raymond. This engrossing memoir is rife with stories and anecdotes about dozens of famous and not-so-famous chess players. In one of the most remarkable chapters Larry Kaufman reveals that the American woman chess player that inspired Walter Tevis to create the Beth Harmon character of Netflixs The Queens Gambit fame, is his former girlfriend. You will learn about neural networks, material values and how being a chess master helps when trading options. And find lots of memorable but little-known annotated games.

The Modern Benoni (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6) is one of Black's most dynamic queen's pawn openings. From the third move Black strives to create a permanent imbalance in the pawn structure, with exciting results. Both players must be utterly fearless in carrying out their plans; in the Benoni he who hesitates, is lost! Every important variation is considered, with particular emphasis on those that readers are likely to encounter in their own games. This book offers a full explanation of the latest theory and important thematic ideas and provides everything you need to start playing the Modern Benoni straightaway. It is an ideal battle manual for competitive players. (6 x 9, 144 pages, diagrams)

An in-depth look at a very special chess player. Everyone in chess acknowledges the uniqueness of Judit Polgar, a woman who has competed on equal terms with the world's best men, even defeating Garry Kasparov. Tibor Karyoli, the international chess master who has trained Polgar's sisters and experienced their parents' innovative methods first-hand, analyzes a large selection of Judit's exciting games, taken from all stages of her career. Karyoli also examines Judit's chess-driven family, showing how her father and sisters contributed to the development of her skills and helped create a grand master.

Emanuel Lasker held the World Chess Championship for a record period from 1894-1921. During this time he dominated his contemporaries in elite events such as St Petersburg 1896, London 1899, Paris 1900 and St Petersburg again in 1914. He won numerous matches against such greats as Steinitz, Marshall, Janowski and Tarrasch, as well as defending his title in a drawn match against Schlechter. This account of Lasker's life and games reads like a novel - how as a young man he fought his way to the world title while still in his twenties, how he survived the First World War and the later Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany, and how Lasker emerged at over 60 years of age to once again carve out a career for himself amongst the hungry young lions of world chess.

The King's Indian is one of the most exciting and complex defenses that Black can employ against the queen's pawn opening. The main lines of the King's Indian are very sharp and tactical but they are also incredibly theoretical in nature - it can be a full time job simply keeping up with the latest developments and fashion. So it is unsurprising that many playing White choose to look elsewhere for something to counter this popular opening. In The Offbeat King's Indian distinguished openings expert Krzysztof Panczyk studies unusual and less theoretical systems for White, ones that are tricky and are likely to throw the King's Indian player off his or her stride early on in the game. Variations investigated include lines with an early Bd3, ones with Nge2, and ones involving a swift Bg5. By studying this book, White players can arm themselves with a whole new weaponry of lines against the King's Indian, while those playing Black can look closely for the recommended antidotes!
*All unusual King's Indian Defence lines are covered
*Strategies and tactics covered for both sides
*Ideal for club and tournament players

The 1978 world chess championship in the Philippines was the most riotous of modern times. Pitting the soviet defector Korchnoi against the golden boy of the soviet establishment - Karpov - the players were not just content to hammer each other over the chess board; they also enlisted such weird assistants as the parapsychologist Dr Vladimir Zukhar and orange-robed gurus from the Ananda Marga sect. The dramatis personae were completed by President Marcos, his shoe-collecting First Lady Imelda and a gaggle of shady characters from the KGB. Grandmaster Ray Keene was Korchnoi's chief second during this wild chess extravaganza and this book tells the inside story of one of the most exotic chess competitions ever staged.

The second in Lev Gutman's series of books, the Scotch Game, following on from Qh4 in the Scotch Game. Many books have been written about this chess opening but most just cover old analysis and reproduce games from a database. This book is distinguished by its high-quality and original analysis, making it a 'must buy' item for club and tournament players. This is the ultimate book on 4...BC5 in the Scotch Game from the ultimate series on the opening. A former second of Viktor Korchnoi, the author is also known as an outstanding expert on opening theory.

In 1966 and 1969 Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky contested two epic battles for the world crown. In the first of these Petrosian became the only world champion to actually win a title defence for 32 years when his inspired defensive technique thwarted all of Spassky's aggressive intentions. In the second of these two ferocious fights Spassky eventually broke through to seize the world title. En route the two great players created some of the most beautiful chess ever witnessed at this high level, sparkling with numerous sacrifices of rook for bishop or knight, piece sacrifices to inaugurate enduring attacks and even a stunning queen sacrifice by Petrosian in game 10 of the first encounter.

At the height of the British Empire, the chess loving Indian servant, Sultan Khan, arrived in the imperial capital as part of the feudal retinue of Sir Umar, his high caste master. While Sir Umar deliberated in the rarefied atmosphere of London conferences, with British panjandra, on the future of the Raj, his retainer started to take on the British elite at chess. Sweeping all before him, the Indian genius entered the international arena where, playing top board for the British Empire team, he defeated grandmasters, such as Rubinstein.

In 1770 in the imperial court of Vienna, one of the most extraordinary and baffling hoaxes in history was set in motion. 

As soon as it was unveiled to the cries of shocked courtiers, the Mechanical Turk became a sensation: a life-sized clockwork figure dressed in Eastern costume that, somehow, could play world-class chess. For decades this incredible automaton confounded audiences across Europe and America. It trounced grand masters, outwitted Napoleon, defeated Benjamin Franklin and was even said to have stopped Catherine the Great from cheating.

What was its secret? Could a machine really think? During its chequered career the Turk sparked frenzied speculation and often downright fabrication, but it was nearly a century before the truth was finally discovered …  

This series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. 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 opening 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 study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge. 1...b6 is a dynamic defense which allows Black to steer the game into relatively unchartered territory, where White players are unable to relax and rely on their 'opening book' knowledge. A major attraction of 1...b6 is that it can be employed against all of White's mainline openings, including 1 e4, 1 d4, 1 Nf3 and 1 c4. In this book, International Master Cyrus Lakdawala examines all the important variations after 1...b6. Using illustrative games, he explains the main positional and tactical ideas for both sides, provides answers to all the key questions and tells you everything you need to know about successfully playing 1...b 6. *Essential guidance and training with 1...b6*Provides repertoire options for Black*Utilizes an ideal approach to chess study

Not for Petrosian the sudden and dramatic storming of the highest chess bastions - he gradually moved up the ranks, perfecting his ultra strategic style and focussing on the elimination of loss, rather than victory at all costs. This softly-softly approach brought Petrosian the world crown and enabled him to retain it for six years.

A first hand account of the strengths and weaknesses, of the genius and foibles, of the world's elite, graced by the most elegant prose, courtesy of Stahlberg, improved, if anything, by Harry Golombek's superb translation. The book is full of telling and memorable phrases.

The French Defence is a classical opening that has featured in the repertoire of many elite grandmasters. Black generally concedes a slight spacial disadvantage early but in return gains a sound structure and middlegame opportunities to undermine the white centre. A close study of the French Defence can be very rewarding for all players as the structures and themes that arise are found in numerous other openings. In this book grandmaster Damian Lemos guides the reader through the complexities of this dynamic opening and explores all the important variations. This series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening 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 study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge. * Essential guidance and training in the French Defence * Analyses all key variations * Utilizes an ideal Q+A approach to chess study

The French Classical (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf6) leads to the type of dynamic, unbalanced positions which appeal to grandmaster and club player alike. Black is prepared to concede space in the center with a view to striking back at his opponent at the earliest opportunity.This book considers every important variation, with particular emphasis on those that readers are likely to encounter in their own games.This book contains full coverage of all the latest variations; explains the basic elements, strategies and tactics for both sides; provides everything you need to start playing the French Classical straightaway; is an ideal battle manual for competitive players. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 176 pages, diagrams)

Aron Nimzowitsch is one of the most important figures in chess history. He was one of the World's strongest players and contributed enormously to the development of chess both through his games and his writings, which influenced many grandmasters who followed him. Nimzowitsch was a leader of the Hypermodern School, which formed revolutionary ideas on chess strategy to challenge previously held beliefs and created many new opening systems. In this book, Steve Giddins selects and studies his favourite games by Nimzowitsch and examines Nimzowitsch's skills in the vital areas of attack, defence, strategy and endgame play. He demonstrates how we can all improve by learning from Nimzowitsch's masterpieces. 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 practising 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 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.

International Chess Master Jeremy Silman tests a player's strengths and weaknesses with 131 problems that cover openings, middlegames (both positional and tactical), and endgames. As a player completes a problem, he or she may then turn to consult Silman's lengthy answer to the problem, which is always detailed yet never dry. Through this process of problem solving, analysis and advice, a player is led to discover the major flaws imbedded in his or her play. Through this same process, a player is also led to an understanding of Silman's system of thinking about the game, and how it differs from many other systems of chess thinking.

I left chess in 2012. I did not touch it for several years. Then I decided to test my strength in Internet blitz. I started from scratch. The board floated before my eyes, and my knee twitched. Less than two months later, I crossed the grandmaster rating mark. My opponents, among them lots of players with a big name, played chess better than me. Surprisingly though, I knew more. On a small island of chess theory, onto which I lured them, I was better equipped. Much better! About 30% of the games ended in wins around the 20th move. A quarter of the games simply ended in mate. In all games, I opened with the moves 1.b3 and 1b6. International Master Ilya Odessky is the worlds leading expert on the 1.b3 and 1b6 chess opening systems. Despite their apparent calm, these openings can get extremely sharp. Now Odessky presents his findings and achievements of recent years. His baffling traps will help you crush your opponents in the opening, with both White and Black. Odessky admits that some of his lines may objectively be somewhat dubious. But in blitz and rapid games they will lead to spectacular play and many surprising wins. Ilya Odessky will entertain, amuse and surprise you in this highly unusual chess opening book full of ultra-romantic chess.

It has been 60 years since I took up chess as a serious pursuit. Considering that sufficient time has passed I think that now I should look back and discuss the results of this effort! In the course of writing, I sought to make the book biographical but that did not always work out and some of the events from my chess life were not included in this work. Perhaps there will be a future book in which these events, as well as events yet to happen, can be told. For the past 10 years my name has had a special mark on the final standings - Veteran. At first this was somewhat confusing, but I soon realized that in all the spheres of human activity the word "veteran" has a noble meaning. My friends often ask me, "Vladimir, are you not tired of playing chess"? I always answer emphatically, "No, I am not tired. Where else can I find such a huge space for self-expression?"? Steinitz once said, " Chess is not for the faint of heart." I agree 100%! Chess players do not need pumped up muscles, they need a sound mind with which to resist the constant pressure exerted on every nerve that is experienced during combat. I do not always like this constant struggle and the stress that comes with it. It is even worse when one makes a mistake in a winning position. In this past decade another "problem" has been added - incredibly powerful computer engines that younger opponents skillfully use in preparation for the game. But when you win a beautiful game or use a theoretical novelty invented at home (albeit with the help of a computer), or defend a difficult hopeless position, how great it is! And at such moments you do not think about chess being a science or artistic effort or even sport. At times like these, they are just part of your life. Now it is time to let you turn the page and see just how incredibly interesting it is to be an active chess player, even as a veteran!