'And the rest is a matter of technique' is an annoyingly common phrase used in chess literature. The implication from the author is that the task of converting a typically winning position into a full point or converting a drawing position into half-a-point is relatively straightforward. However, as all of us practical players realize, it's not always as simple as this, and many hard-earned points are wasted through 'a lack of technique'.
In this valuable book Jacob Aagaard aims to solve this perennial problem. He arms the reader with several endgame weapons that every strong technical player has in his toolbox. These include important skills such as schematic thinking, domination, preventing counterplay, building fortresses and utilizing zugzwang. These tools are illustrated in deeply analyzed games containing numerous different themes. A serious study of this book will ensure that the reader no longer need fear the word 'technique'!
*Ideal for club and tournament players
*Includes all the principal tools of technique
*Written by an experienced endgames expert

A multinational array of top grandmasters explain the difference in thinking between professional and amateur chess players, and how the amateur can bridge the gap. It usually takes at least a decade of sustained effort for even the most talented player to reach the grandmaster level this book cannot guarantee to make the reader a chess grandmaster, but it is certainly a healthy nudge in the right direction. The editors, ex-British Champion GM Jacob Aagaard and three-time Scottish Champion GM John Shaw, have recruited a line-up of strong grandmasters to share their wisdom.

Unhappy reaching passive or difficult positions with Black? Fed up with having to learn many different defences to all of White's attacks? Then these two books are the answer to the player's problems Together they provide Black with a complete repertoire against all White opening systems. Lines that are suggested in these books are sound, fun to play, and promise Black dynamic counterplay. All-in-one solutions that are easy to master, these books are especially useful for players who have neither the time nor inclination to learn reams and reams of the latest opening theory.
-- Complete defences to all White openings
-- Easy-to-learn lines are recommended
-- Written by battle-hardened experts

International Master Jacob Aagaard provides an all-in-one solution to the popular opening move 1 d4 and other White systems that do not involve 1 e4. Throughout this work, Aagaard delves into the strategies, ideas, and tactics for Black, while also showing the possible traps and pitfalls.

Sicilian Kalashnikov contains coverage of all the latest theory, and is an ideal new weapon for club and tournament players, written by prominent opening experts. The Kalashnikov is one of the most modern variations of the Sicilian Defence. As early as move four, Black stakes a claim in the center and sets the tone for the rest of the game. Play can often become sharp and as is normal with many Sicilian lines, the best prepared player is usually the successful one. In this handy battle manual Jacob Aagaard and Jan Pinski take a deep look at all the critical ideas and variations of an opening which has received little coverage in chess publishing until now. (6 1/4 X 9 1/4, 176 pages, diagrams)

Being able to solve puzzles and combinations is one of the principal components of a successful chess player. But how can one improve on such an important skill? How can one acquire combinational vision?
The answer lies within the pages of this book!
Experienced chess writer Jacob Aagaard explains how tactical intuition and ability develops and uses pattern recognition to improve the reader's tactical ammunition. It's also no secret that the continued practice of puzzles and combinations helps to sharpen the chess brain, and here there is a wealth of exercises and problems to solve accompanied by the full solutions and explanations.
This book is a must for the serious competitive player.
*Improves tactical vision
*Ideal for club and tournament players
*Written by a battle-hardened expert

In Volume 2 of Excelling at Chess, we publish International Master Jacob Aagaard's Excelling at Combinational Play: Learn to Identify and Exploit Tactical Chances and Excelling at Chess Calculation: Capitalising on tactical chances. Being able to solve puzzles and combinations is one of the principal components of a successful chess player. But how can one improve on such an important skill? How can one acquire combinational vision? Aagaard explains how tactical intuition and ability develops and uses pattern recognition to improve the readers tactical ammunition. It is no secret that the continued practice of puzzles and combinations helps to sharpen the chess brain, and here there is a wealth of exercises and problems to solve accompanied by the full solutions and explanations. There are many differing opinions amongst the top players in the world of chess, but there is one thing upon which World Champions, Grandmasters and other experts all agree: the art of chess calculation is the absolute key to the success of a player. In Excelling at Chess Calculation, Aagaard tackles the subject matter head on, unravelling the many secrets behind chess calculation and arming the reader with the necessary tools to be able to calculate effectively at the chessboard. Aagaard pays particular attention to the searching practical questions like "when should you calculate?", "how can you discover candidate moves?" and "how long should you spend on critical moves?"

The Tarrasch Defense arises after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5. Named after the German World Championship contender and theoretician, this chess opening leads to wildly complex and dynamic play. With new analysis and countless novelties, Ntirlis and Aagaard have worked hard to revive this, the coolest of the classical openings, and thoroughly update it for use by Grandmasters and amateurs alike in the 21st Century.Besides a thorough treatment of the Tarrasch Defense, advice is given against White's less critical but equally popular alternatives, such as the London System, the Colle, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, and so on.

Attacking Manuals 1 & 2 comprise the first thorough examination of the nature of dynamics in chess, and the principles explained in this book are relevant to every chess game played. In lively no-nonsense language, Aagaard explains how the best players in the world attack. The rules of attack (the exploitation of a dynamic advantage) are explained in an accessible and entertaining style. This groundbreaking work is well balanced between easily understandable examples, exercises and deep analysis.Volume 2 covers what to do once the attack is up and running, and deals with weak kings, intuitive sacrifices, opposite castling, king hunts, and enduring initiative. Attacking Manuals 1 & 2 were chosen as the English Chess Federation's "Book of the Year 2010."

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. These 2 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

Brought together in one volume are two of Jacob Aagaard's great books- Excelling at Technical Chess and Excelling at Positional Chess. "And the rest is a matter of technique" is an annoyingly common phrase used in chess literature. The implication from the author is that the task of converting a typically winning position into a full point or converting a drawing position into half-a-point is relatively straightforward. However, as all of us practical players realise, it's not always a simple as this, and many hard-earned points are wasted through "a lack of technique" In Technical Chess Jacob Aagaard aims to solve this perennial problem. He arms the reader with several endgame weapons that every strong technical player has in his toolbox. These include important skills such as schematic thinking, domination, preventing counterplay, building fortresses and utilising zugzwang. These tools are illustrated in deeply analysed games containing numerous different themes. A serious study of this book will ensure that the reader need no longer need fear the word "technique"! Positional chess remains a mystery to many and yet an understanding of the finer points of the game so often makes the difference between two equally matched players. Improve your positional play and you will see chess in a totally new dimension! In Positional Chess, Aagaard selects many original examples of positional chess, the creme de la creme of those that he uses for training and study. Aagaard also delves deeply into the ideas of positional evaluation and analysis

Positional chess remains a mystery to many and yet an understanding of the finer points of the game so often makes the difference between two equally matched players. Improve your positional play and you will see chess in a totally new dimension
In this unique book, International Master Jacob Aagaard selects many original examples of positional chess, the creme de la creme of those that he uses for training and study. Aagaard also delves deeply into the ideas of positional evaluation and analysis.
* Teaches how to mix calculation with evaluation
* Contains many original exercises
* Written by a battle-hardened expert

Some players become good at chess, some very good, while others excel at the game. In this book Jacob Aagaard identifies the key factors that separate the very strong players from the rest. In Excelling at Chess, he includes chapters on when to calculate, how to evaluate positions, how to study theory, how to study the endgame and when to force the position. Anyone who follows the advice in this book cannot fail to improve their feel for the game.
-- Ideal for players who are serious about improving
-- Discusses all phases and aspects of the game
-- Packed with useful practical tips

The French Defence is one of the most solid and strategically rich responses to 1.e4. Many chess opening lines have been analysed to death by computer, but the French is relatively resistant to this growing trend, as the characteristic blocked pawn centre leads to situations where a player with superior understanding can overcome an opponent whose expertise lies in computer-assisted preparation. Acclaimed authors Ntirlis and Aagaard present a complete repertoire for Black based on 3.Nc3 Nf6 and 3.Nd2 c5. With many new discoveries and detailed explanations of positional and strategic motifs, this book is essential reading for those playing this complex opening with either colour.

There are many differing opinions among the top players in the world of chess, but there is one thing upon which World Champions, Grandmasters, and other experts all agree: the art of chess calculation is the absolute key to the success of a player. Master this discipline and chess players can surely expect their results to improve dramatically. And yet there have been very few serious attempts in the past by chess authors to delve into this delicate topic, perhaps not surprisingly given its complexity and difficulty. In Excelling at Chess Calculation, Jacob Aagaard tackles the subject matter head on, unravelling the many secrets behind chess calculation and arming readers with the necessary tools to be able to calculate effectively at the chessboard. Aagaard pays particular attention to the searching practical questions like when should players calculate?, how can players discover candidate moves?, and how long should players spend on critical moves?. A thorough study of this book will enable them to calculate with confidence in future games.
Highlights include:
*A crucial guide to the skill of chess calculation
*Ideal for both club and tournament players
*Written by a renowned chess coach and author

The Stonewall is an ideal choice for those players who are keen to avoid the reams of theory that surround more popular openings such as the King's Indian and Nimzo-Indian Defenses. By playing the Stonewall, Black stakes an immediate claim in the center and lays the foundations for a potentially dangerous kingside attack. The route to success with the Stonewall is very much based on an understanding of themes and ideas and these are clearly elucidated by experienced author Jacob Aagaard. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 144 pages, diagrams)