All the lines presented in this book are very old, some even dating back to medieval times! Lots of things were known about these systems before chess engines started to become very strong, but now we have completely new ideas from not only a tactical, but also positional, point of view on positions that have simply resurfaced in recent times. The rebirth of these lines has become so popular that during my work on this book I was amazed to see such a level of popularity. To make this book readable I broke some positions into smaller files wherever I could. In all my books I try to present at least the basics of many openings and lines: the problem is that basic knowledge about openings is growing even bigger, and it is not an easy job to comprehend and assimilate all that material. That’s why I have also tried in this book to be as concise as possible. After all, reading a book should not only be an aesthetic/interesting endeavour, but also a practical/useful thing at the same time.
The fundamental purpose of Black’s aggressive and provocative move with the d-pawn is to create immediate central tension and to exploit the latent power of the queen on her starting square. Remember Lasker’s observation: “Black’s idea is to make use of the great fighting power of the queen in the opening”. Black’s audacious pawn move effectively compels White to lose a tempo by capturing the pawn, creating an imbalance in the center. Black’s strategy seeks the dissolution of the center, as the immediate asymmetry reduces the significance of So, is the Scandinavian, in essence, a ‘refutation’ of 1 e4, as Black has already activated his queen far ahead of his opponent, while weakening White’s kingside pawn structure? Isn’t White essentially punished for aiming for early kingside development with his first move? Structurally, Black has achieved an ideal exchange, and the core of the Scandinavian lies in the control of the d5-square. Black must, under no circumstances, allow White to support a pawn thrust with d4-d5, as this typically means White has effectively countered Black’s pawn structure both technically and psychologically.
Available via subscription
British Chess Magazine (August 2025)
"One of the few books…which, at a glance, one can recognize as an immortal." — Chess.
The proper use of pawns — of paramount importance in chess strategy — sometimes even puzzles experienced players. This profoundly original and stimulating book by an International Master and prolific chess writer offers superb instruction in pawn play by isolating its elements and elaborating on various aspects.
After a lucid exposition of the fundamentals and the basic formations of one or two pawns that virtually constitute the keys to winning chess strategy, the reader is shown a multitude of examples demonstrating the paramount significance of elements of pawn manipulation. The author’s masterly explanation makes it perfectly clear to the beginner as well as the advanced player how the fate of a game depends on pawn formation and how pawn power holds the proceedings under its remote control. Over 180 games and diagrams illustrate the author’s theory and make it easy to follow the points made in the text.
Hans Kmoch played with distinction in several international tournaments and is the author of a number of books and columns on chess and chess tournaments.
“We consider it the best publication on chess strategy since the end of World War II.” — Die Welt.
Chess Informant 164 “Freestyle!” presents:
* FIDE WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH 2025 by WIM Jovana Srdanović
* 25th EUROPEAN WOMEN'S CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP by GM Mikhail Bryakin
* 4th MENORCA OPEN tournament report by GM Miloš Perunović
* FISCHER RANDOM CHESS “Magnus Carlsen Triumphs in Paris: “A New Chapter in Freestyle Chess” by FM Ivan Martić
* THE APPEAL OF BEAUTY, instructive lecture by GM Michael Prusikin
* STATE OF PLAY WITH SABINA ”REVISITING PAWN STRUCTURES” by WGM Sabina-Francesca Foişor
* ROGERS' REMINISCENCES “In a Wellington State of Mind” by GM Ian Rogers
* STUDIES “IMPROVEMENTS OF EXISTING PROBLEMS - ALWAYS A CHALLENGE” by FM Branislav Đurašević
* WORLD OF CORRESPONDENCE CHESS “Minor pieces endgames” by CCM Barak Gonen
Traditional sections:
* The best game and most important theoretical novelty from the previous Volume
* Endgames
* Combinations
* 204 games + Fragments according to ECO Codes.
The periodical that pros use with pleasure is at the same time a must have publication for all serious chess students!
Beginning students of the game as well as veterans of the board will find this chess guide offers a wealth of inspiration, enjoyment, and practical chess advice. In providing valuable instruction for players at all levels, noted chess writer and teacher Peter Tamburro initially presents elementary ideas that can be used immediately by beginners.
The attack section features the tactics of such great masters of the assault as Fischer, Keres, Alekhine, Larsen, and Rubinstein — all demonstrating how to win the middle game. A survey of endgame concepts follows, along with a selection of challenging chess problems and 60 complete games by Blackburne, Marshall, Tartakower, Polgar, and other champion players. An accessible, enjoyable guide, Learn Chess from the Greats allows readers to learn the fundamentals and improve their game in an informal, user-friendly way.
This book about the best chess player of the 19th century analyzes Paul Morphy's games and positions in depth to get to the essence of his style. Chapters discuss other players of the period (Adolph Anderssen and Wilhelm Steinitz), Morphy's rare blunders and omissions, as well as selected endgames and openings. Also included are a 27-page essay on Morphy by Steinitz and a series of letters between Alexander Alekhine and Eugene Znosko-Borovsky debating Morphy's chess style. With large, clear diagrams, "this book should take its place among first-rank historical chess works." — USA Today Sports Network. 15 halftones.
British Chess Magazine (July 2025)
Dan Heisman has been teaching chess for over 50 years and has been doing so full-time since 1996. He therefore knows very well what kind of advice actually helps players improve. This book is a distillation of that advice.
The book is based around his X (twitter) column "Chess tip of the day" which has been running since 2009 and features over 4,000 tips. The most useful advice has been distilled into 164 tips that contain additional helpful material, including illustrative stories and many diagrams with instructive play.
These tips represent ways to highlight and address the most common problems experienced by chess enthusiasts of all levels. They also suggest ways to mitigate or even avoid these these problems entirely and by doing so improve their chess play and learn to study more effectively. The tips lean towards general improvement rather than focusing on specific positions.
The topics addressed include: general improvement, thought processes, psychology, tactics, safety, positional concepts, strategy, openings and endgames.
Many decently strong players aspire to become an international master. They see very clearly that the grandmaster title is most likely beyond them but the IM title is one they feel they could achieve, if only...
It's this "if only" bit that gets in the way. If only... what? Do they need to study the openings more? Should they focus on improving tactical skill? Do they need to study the classics? Should they concentrate on endgames? Would it help to play blindfold?
There are innumerable books on the openings, a decent number on strategy and plenty on the endgame. However, if you want a book that explains at length the steps needed to improve your skills from those of a very good player to one of IM strength, you will look long and hard and probably in vain. Until now.
In this book, highly prolific author Cyrus Lakdawala maps out a route to take you along this journey. He is well qualified to do so as this is a journey he made himself (he did not shine as a junior) and so knows exactly what to do. He is brutally honest about his failures along the way and this will help readers to avoid natural pitfalls.
Lakdawala identifies the key mental, physical and psychological processes that need to be mastered to achieve IM standard making this book the ultimate chess self-improvement tool.
Cyrus Lakdawala is an International Master, a former National Open and American Open Champion, and six-time State Champion. He has been teaching chess for over 40 years, and coaches top US juniors.
Why Play the Catalan Opening?
If you’re looking for an opening that combines strategic depth with long-term pressure, the Catalan Opening is a top-tier choice. It’s favored by world champions like Vladimir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen for good reason: the Catalan blends solid positional play with dynamic potential.
By fianchettoing the king’s bishop and exerting long-range pressure on the center, White builds a solid yet flexible structure. This opening is ideal for players who prefer a quiet buildup that leads to deep middlegame plans, rather than immediate tactical fireworks.
Whether you’re an ambitious club player or a seasoned tournament competitor, the Catalan gives you a strong foundation with plenty of room to outplay your opponent in a positional battle.
Key benefits:
– Reliable opening with a rich strategic backbone
– Proven success at the highest level of play
– Excellent choice against both 1…d5 and 1…Nf6 setups
– Ideal for players who value control, initiative, and clarity
Swedish chess legend Ulf Andersson was a positional genius with a crystal-clear style. In his prime, in the 1970s and 80s, he rose to the number 4 spot of the FIDE world rankings because he almost never lost a game and kept scoring wins from quiet positions.
But every now and then, he found himself in a position on the board that demanded an attack. And then he would strike! He was fierce and decisive, showcasing his phenomenal talent and his incredible ability to sense any imbalance on the board.
Ulf - The Attacker is an amazing collection of thrilling games! Ulf is widely regarded as one of the most likable figures in the chess world. He is consistently humble, generous with his time, and known for his exceptional sportsmanship. But at the board, he was merciless in his games against Anatoly Karpov, Viktor Korchnoi, Bent Larsen, and Lajos Portisch, to name a few of the chess stars that got crushed in an attack.
This book is both entertaining and instructive. Ulf Andersson's fluid attacking game will undoubtedly influence your own thinking about chess.
Thomas Engqvist is an International Master from Sweden. He has over forty years’ experience as a chess coach, teacher and writer. This is his eleventh chess book, and the first one published by New In Chess.
