These three titles, brought together for the first time in one volume, explain the important ideas behind every major opening, provide an understanding of the middlegame to the aspiring player and tips to all players wishing to improve their endgame play.Chris Ward unravels the secrets of the Sicilian, the mysteries of the Modern and the fundamentals of the French. He emphasises the need to understand the key elements of each opening rather than simply memorise a series of complicated variations which leave you stranded if the opponent varies from the expected route. ----- Andrew Kinsman uses examples from practical play to develop tactical and positional skills and awareness to enable you to make the most of your opportunities in the middlegame. ------ Glenn Flear explains the fundamental principles which must be mastered in the endgame. Taking examples from his own games and those of other players, he shows how drawn positions can be converted into victories and lost positions saved at the last moment.- ---- * Deals with every important opening --- * Explains the basic ideas of tactical and positional play --- * Provides numerous exercises for readers to test themselves --- * Explains the important principles of every type of ending --- * Easy step-by-step guide to better endgame play --- * Revolutionary layout to help readers absorb key ideas ---

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)

A thorough understanding of the middlegame is essential for any aspiring player wishing to improve their game. This book uses examples from practical play to develop tactical and positional skills and awareness to enable you to make the most of your opportunities in the middlegame. It explains the basic ideas of tactical and positional play, provides numerous exercises for readers to test themselves and has a revolutionary layout to help readers absorb the key ideas. (6 7/8 x 9 5/8, 144 pages, b&w illustrations)