I do not want to come with a big comprehensive update at this point, but just a look at where we are with the immediate projects.
Grandmaster Repertoire 1.e4 – vs. The Sicilian II by Parimarjan Negi
This will be out on 18th November.
Grandmaster Repertoire 6A – Beating the Anti-Sicilians by Vassilios Kotronias
The book is done, edited and typeset. We are in the phase called “proofreading”, which is where we reduce the number of mistakes we have made. Then it goes to printing and conversion into Forward Chess. The book will be out in the middle of December, a week earlier on FC than on paper, as usual.
Key Concepts of Gambit Play by Yuri Razuvaev
The Razuvaev chapters have been edited and most of the appendices have been written. I need a bit of help from Nikos to finish a few of them. I have just driven him here from the airport, so that is definitely going to be easier. So, this book will be finished in 1-2 weeks from now. Then comes typesetting and proofreading, which will take another week.
Playing 1.e4 – Volume 1 by John Shaw
Lots and lots of this book has been written. We are in the last 50 pages or so. If John did not have a day job, then it would have been out a long time ago. It is a bit frustrating that the book is not finished yet, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that a lot of the second volume has been done as well. I am sure that it will not be too long between the two of them.
Playing 1.e4 e5 – A Classical Repertoire by Nikolaos Ntirlis
Andrew has just started editing this book. Nikos has delivered everything with the exception of the Italian game. He says he will finish it in 2-3 days, so this is not a problem. This is thus about 2-3 months from publication, meaning early January I think.
Further down the line we have GM 19, the third and final volume of the Mikhail Tal trilogy and more. Exactly how everything pans out is not easy to predict.
“Cheer up (John), you can do it!”
This is going to be another great winter:-) Very much looking forward to all these books! And great to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel for John 🙂
John Shaw’s next project – Unraveling the Mysteries of the Najdorf Poisoned Pawn
😀
… it all started with the big bang
@Seth
Nikos and I are on it!
@Jacob Aagaard
I’d prefer reviving the Polugaevsky variation!
@Thomas
Neither will be in 6B. I don’t like Zombies…
(not speechless, the smiley didn’t work…)
Thomas, so your emoticons work just as well as the Polugaevsky variation 🙂
@Jacob Aagaard
Hasn’t Negi already shown the way for black to equality in his white reportoire book on the Najdorf?
Are these John Shaw books like 2000 pages each?
Dear Jacob and John,
Do you know why Dutch Leningrad is not popular among top players … ? Is it because it is a bad opening or some other reasons we normal club players don’t know … ? Thanks …
We’re just making sure John has something to do for the next ten years. 🙂
@Douwe
500-600 it seems for the first volume.
@Ray
Things develop. I like White and in practice a 2662 just died when faced with one of the weaker ideas. Can you prove that chess is a draw? Probably not. Yet it is and the Poisoned Pawn is not ruining it. But it comes awfully close in my opinion.
Ten years only? It’ going to be a small booklet?
The cover of “Playing 1.e4 e5 – A Classical Repertoire” is worst that I have ever seen. Trashy white color, so to cut down the expenses… What a pity…
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
Once more it is hard to agree.
Tastes are different. I for one like the cover and the colours…
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
I also really like the cover and is in the same style as the other ‘Playing the’ series.
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
I actually think the cover for Playing 1e4 e5 looks really good. Sharp colours very smart!
I’m also looking forward to the book “playing 1.e4 e5” by Nicolas Ntirlis. January is a good date for that book. I hope i’ll have time for working on it then.
@ The Doctor
@ Michael
I agree. I think it looks smart and is in keep with the rest of the play series.
I don’t normally respond to 1.e4 with e5, but I am tempted to get the book anyway because of the author.
So another repertoire with the italian game? Waiting for years now for a new good 3. …Nf6 analysis, for both colors!
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
Indeed tastes can differ, but to me it seems a bit like jumping to conclusions to state the the ‘colour is trashy white to cut down on the expenses’. I think if QC wanted to cut down on expenses there would be some easier ways to do that, like not hiring world-class authors. If this is the worst you’ve ever seen I’d say you’re quite privileged.
@Chris
I guess you don’t like the Bologan book then? It contains a lot of analysis an 3…Nf6.
The content says almost 100 pages of italian food, 12 about the two knights defence?! So i didnt look at it at all.
Its strange that there is no new stuff about it and everyone plays Lc5 in the repertoires, but i have no real refutation for blacks play. And none in the white repertoires as well. Kind of stepchildren of opening books 🙂
All money on Lokander then. 😉
By the way, Palkovi’s book is one of the best, despite its age.
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
You pay for the number of colours you use, 1, 2 or 4. This is why there are hardly any chess books with colour inside, as it doubles the costs. Our covers are always in four colours (all colours). The amount of ink used is an expense for the printer, not us.
@Chris
There are 93 pages on the Italian and 48 on the Two Knights.
@Jacob Aagaard
By the way, nice game Jacob 🙂
Strange,Mikkel (2155) – Aagaard,Jacob (2260) [C57]
DEN-chB Aalborg (6), 1994
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 b5 6.Bf1 h6 7.Nf3 Qxd5 8.Nc3 Qe6 9.Bxb5 Bb7 10.d3 0–0–0 11.Bxc6 Qxc6 12.Qe2 e4 13.dxe4 Ba6 14.Qe3 Bc5 15.Ne5 Qd6 16.Nxf7 Qb6 17.Qf3 Rd7 18.Nxh8 Ng4 19.Bd2 Bxf2+ 20.Kd1 Qd4 21.Kc1 Qxd2+ 22.Kb1 Ne3 23.Rc1 Bd3 24.a4 Nxc2 25.Rd1 Ne3+ 26.Ka2 Bc4+ 27.Ka3 Nc2#
0–1
# # # observation on new trend in openings book # # #
To my mind Bologan has uplifted publishing openings books to the new level. This can be seen in his “Bologan’s Black Weapons in the Open Games” and “Bologan’s Ruy Lopez for Black”.
What he has done is following:
I. On the POSITIVE side:
– very skilled player gives his own repertoire (peak rating Elo 2734 – August 2012),
– general introduction before each part of the book,
– fast lane summary before each chapter,
– transpositions, move orders and strategies at the end of each chapter,
– exercises at the end of the book,
– proposed repertoire for those who want to drive fast,
– two lines against each White try: one solid and other aggressive,
– diagrams with the Black side first!
– minimum level of inputted chess knowledge Elo 2400.
II. On the NEGATIVE side:
– no hardcover,
– Quality Chess has better layout 🙂
According to my source, Italian game starts p.337 and ends p.434, 2 Knights starts 435 till 447, next is center gambit attack. Is my source wrong??
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
Seems like you don’t need a new book on 1…e5 then 🙂
Bologan is a great author. So is Nikos. Personally I would prefer to publish both!
@Ray
I’m not biased, I just want high quality books. Who is the publisher doesn’t matter, but the content does. A decade ago Quality Chess raised the bar very high, from trashy Everyman book by unknown writers, from 144 pages up…
But these days they all tend to produce good books… That’s the conclusion of publishign evolution by Quality Chess: we profit all!
Talking about Bologans 1. e4 e5 books: They have reintroduced the awful layout idea that for a Black repertoire book diagrams are turned upside down. QC please don’t even think of doing that!
@kratnasan
We surveyed it. About half would like it and the other half would entirely hate it. Better the current situation where some people think it could be a bit better, but won’t get it that way.
So you actually thought about it! … Never mind – you got to the right conclusion 🙂
@kratnasan
You are absolutely right! Upside down and awful coloring of the diagrams. I was looking for a line in Bologan’s book but took ages to find it because of the unreadable diagrams.
I love the crystal clear diagrams QC uses!
Not wrong but not very knowledgable. The stuff you mentioned *is* part of the 2-Knights game.
Bologan’s book has 98 pages on the Italian and 48 on the Two Knights. However 28 pages of the Italian coverage concerns White’s plan with 4.d3 and 5.c3, which a Two Knights player also needs to know (after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3). The “center gambit attack” is Bologan’s name for 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4, so still part of the Two Knights.
Apologies to the QC team for going on about someone else’s book. Please be assured that I will be buying Nikos’s book the moment it’s published!
Hi
Im looking to spice up my game.
Could you tell a Little about Key Concepts of Gambit Play by Yuri Razuvaev? How will it be organized? Will it (also) be about positional gambits?
Larsen_fan
I like Black on the bottom in Black repertoire books but I realize that while I like it, the people who don’t like it hate it, so Quality Chess has probably made the right choice.
@Larsen_fan
14 Chapters with 14 mainly modern gambits, with appendixes written, well, just now for example. It is a general insight into gambits, with lots of ideas.
Totally disagree – Black repertoire books should have Black on the south/bottom of diagrams.
Why it’s generally the other way round it’s a mystery for me. I thought it’s due some problems with editing but now I start to understand that there is a strange habit – people get used to the inconvenient way of reading the diagrams!
Hi everyone!
When will be published Avrukh’s 2A and 3A volume on 1.d4?
@AJZ
Agreed 100%. Just sad how people are such lemmings.
Wrong sided diagrams, insulting people with different opinions, what’s next?
@Thomas – what’s next? Let’s hope “growing up”!
Any chance ifs hint on what GM Rep 19 will cover? Will it give just one response to 1.c4/1.Nf3 or will it cater for people who have different 1.d4 repertoires?
Hi QC team,
Concerning sided diagrams I ‘ve just one question, are you like me ? : when I play an opening with White I’ve it on the bottom next to me & when I play a black opening I’ve Black pieces next to me (in front) so why not with diagrams. It has always make me perplexed …
Solving chess problems is easier if black on move has fliped board than white sl”south” diagram.
@Michel Barbaut
Because about half entirely hates the look of it, while the half that thinks like you are used to what they perceive as a lesser option.
The solution is of course Forward Chess, where you can flip the board as you like.
@The Doctor
Cater for almost all.
@Bobby
It will be 1B, 2A and 2B. The next one will hopefully be out early spring, but the author needs to deliver it first!
Thx @Jacob Aagard!
Instead, when will be out I and II volume of “Playing 1.e4” ?
@Bobby
I think we should open the floor for collective sarcasm from the floor 🙂
@Jacob Aagaard
Ok Jacob I will start
Bobby “Playing 1.e4” will be available in winter.
Please just don’t ask when winter starts or finishes in Scotland or which year.
Thank you
What will Negi publish against the minor defences, such as Scandinavian, Alekhine, Pirc/Modern? Will this be covered in a separate book altogether?
Excited to see the 1 e4 e5 Classical Repertoire – so everything after 1. e4 e5 is going to be covered in one book?
Very curious about Nikos’ line against the Spanish Exchange.
Bologan’s Ne7 and Be7 don’t look too convincing to me…
@David
Yes, but short term John’s book will contain them as well. And be out earlier.
@Kevin Stevens
Yes.
As i understand, yes! See the description:
“Against the Spanish the author recommends the Breyer System, one of the most stable, computer-proof options at Black’s disposal. The Scotch, Italian, Four Knights and various other sidelines and gambits are handled with the same clarity and efficiency.”
@Jacob Aagaard
So Negi is coming up with Sicilian III (Taimanov, Paulsen, Scheveningen etc.) in one volume, and all the rest in another one, or will the Ruy Lopez be a book for itself?
@Thomas
1.e4 e5 should be volume 6, yes.
@Jacob Aagaard
Maybe I did not read it but, will Negi be recommending the Ruy Lopez or does he try to show an advantage in the Scotch like on his DVD for the company?
@Nicolas NIegsch
The Scotch is my choice in the Playing 1.e4 book that’s coming soon.
Negi’s GM Repertoire book on 1.e4 e5 will be later, but the Ruy Lopez is the inevitable choice. Pari’s DVD on the Scotch was not for this company.
so Negi will write
Sicilian 2 (is nearly published
Sicilian 3
Minor opening (Negi 5)
Open Games (Negi 6)
dear jacob is dear a book on the petroff in de pipeline greetings kirpan
Jacob,
I lost my copy of GM rep 10 “Tarrasch”, so I had to buy another one. 🙂
That got me thinking, is there any chance of a 10B (i.e. any chance of an update)?
Also, I’d love to see a chapter on move orders against 1.Nf3 or 1.c4 (obviously White won’t always allow a Tarrasch, but it might be nice to discuss when to play …d5 vs …Nf6 or …e6.
BTW, I think it’s insanely generous of you and John to read these blog posts and respond. It is also very much appreciated.
Skål!
10b should be with cxd and not c5-c4!
@Wallace Howard
I don’t think there is much problem here. If White wants to fight for an advantage he has to play d4, hence allowing a Tarrasch.
@Phil Collins
The Forward Chess version is 10B actually.
@Phil Collins
My understanding of the Tarrasch is that if White gets full control of the d4-square, he is better, making …cxd4 a positional mistake.
“The Forward Chess version is 10B actually.”
I’m sorry, doesn’t that mean there is new content in the Forward Chess version that’s not in the book? If so, have you considered adding it as a PDF for folks who already own the book? Thanks.
6 books for Negi?!?!
In terms of size this series will probably end up being larger then the 14 volume chess stars series. Crazy.
@Wayward son
Just stick to the bold moves and the comments, and you’ll be fine 🙂
@Wayward son
No. It is 6 volumes. No more. We also have a 2 volume lighter theory series on 1.e4. So there is something for all.
@Wallace Howard
I think Nikos added it to our pgn file on the site already. I shall surely double check.
Is there an update planned voor GI 1 and 2 of Avrukh?
@franck steenbekkers
No
@franck steenbekkers
My personal opinion is that only a few lines need a real update there, from my experience it’s mostly Avrukh’s repertoire against the Russian system that’s very difficult to handle for black. I suggested once the idea to publish a brochure for an update for just that system, maybe even published only through ForwardChess. There was unfortunately no reply back then.
Maybe it would be worth a try? QC is always up for new ideas, right, JA&JS? 🙂
@ Tobias
Also 3 f3 is outdated.
But still the Avurkh s are the best!!
Which gambits will be covered in the new book about gambits?
@Ed
Give us two weeks and we will answer.
An excerpt of AntiSicilians book is up. I was hoping for other lines against 2. c3 and 3. Bb5+ but you can’t please everybody. From the introduction, it seems that the book should be companion to Kotronias Svieshnikov book (number 18B?) and not to forthcoming Sicilian Najdorf book (6B). For example: after 2. Nc3 there is 2…Nc6 examined (and not 2…d6 like in the Ftacnik book) and after 3. Nf3 it’s 3…e5 recommended that mostly suits …e5 systems players.
There is one major problem with excerpts of all opening books from QC (other publishers do the same?): there is no index of lines examined, so I can’t for example check if against the Closed system the repertoire is based on …e6 or …g6 lines. Including the index would probably lower the sales (?). I don’t see any other reason for not including it.
I think there is an important point here, which is that Kotronias recommends a different main line in 2.c3 than he did in the Chess Informant. Basically he had already done the work on the Alapin when we agreed on the book, but I did not like the line he had analysed. So he offered it to Chess Informant. There will for sure be some overlap in the sidelines, but otherwise it is original stuff. We do not do recycling…
Similar to the book from Rusian Chess House in 2014 ? Updated ?
@Jacob Aagaard
But then you have butcherd all Ftacnik’s work! Why can’t his updated book have all his anti-sicilian repertoire? g6 against Alapin etc…
To my mind he will have only his name on the cover, with Scheveningen lines. Very stunned I am 🙂
I didn’t expect this after years of updating…
Very much looking forward to downloading Negi on forward chess on Wed morning.
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
You noticed that it’s Kotronias, not Ftacnik on the cover?
Small question for Beating the Anti-Sicilians: Are the move 3 deviations (3.g3, 3.d3 and 3.b3) after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 covered under chapter 20?
@Michel Barbaut
Yes, very much updated, but still mainly an inspirational work.
How about a really comprehensive book on the Ruy Lopez except the Berlin ? Similar in size to the Kings Gambit book.
Yes, and 3.b4 is also covered in that chapter, if you like that sort of thing.
I’m just wondering if the lines with 3.d4 are covered which don’t lead to main lines systems such as;
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.f3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bd3
As if I remember LOTS of Anti-Sicilian lines were missing from GM6
@The Doctor
Very good question. The Sharpest Sicilian books have them all if I remember correctly.
I just don’t understand why doesn’t anyone write about Grand Prix lines which begin with 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 nowadays.
Sicilian 2 is a book of super categorie!!!!!!!
Dear John,
now, as the first Playing 1.e4-book is almost done, I would love to know what your recommendations against Alekhine and the Pirc/Modern are. Jacob was not very helpful last time as he gives only the second moves 2.e5 and 2.d4…..
It would be great to have the third and forth move ?
@Wolfsblut
It is a matter of principle that we do not talk about content of the books in detail before they are off to the printer…
Was Negi 2 supposed to be out on Forward Chess today?
THE kotronias aproach versus 3BB5 is remarkable!
But iT S universal versus moscow and rosolimo
@Franck steenbekkers
3…d6 as in the game he won against Howell. At least this is what I remember. I have no idea how I became the face of this company, but somehow people think I know all details of all the books. This one I do!
I got Negi Sicilian II book today and I’m very impressed with his analysis of the Dragon variation. They’re more detailed than Jones when they meet 3 times, although the Dragon seems to hold, especially in the Topalov variation. It’s a must buy for the Dragon players.
is the book is for sale now, negi’s 3rd book, on sicilian?
@Hilmi M It’s on Forward Chess. As I understand it, that means you’re a week or two away from the paper version.
@TonyRo
It is out one week earlier on Forward Chess.
@Jacob Aagaard
I can’t wait 🙂 I just finished his book on the Najdorf and it’s just superb!
my bad, i remember it will be out on 25th september, but it was written that 18th. still so excited to get this book.
@TonyRo
Good discussion of Kalashnikov and your excellent book too 🙂
It’s an honor simply being in the bibliography! I haven’t had a chance to look at Negi’s recommendation in detail, but I am sure it will be a challenge. I think there are improvements for White in my main line with 8.Nc4! as well (I also have an earlier deviation for Black I think is interesting, but I found it too late for my book) – perhaps they’ll pop up in Shaw. 🙂
Any prizes for guessing what will Nikos propose to play for a win against the Ruy Lopez Exchange?;)
My bet is
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5 7.d3 Bxf3!? 8.Qxf3 Qd7 and castling long. I tried this variation last month is rapid, got a better position with Black after about 15 games and blundered horribly… But the variation seems to be more interesting then a lot of Black tries against the Exchange.
@Jacob Aagaard
You became the face of this company because you are its most vocal, outspoken and controversial member 🙂
@TonyRo
I have to say to me your book is best non QC opening book of last few years . Your enthusiasm really shines through in the book. When it came out I hesitated buying because you are not a super (or even normal) GM, but that was stupidity on my part which thankfully I ignored. Would be very interested to know what you think of Negi’s thoughts on the Kalashnikov!
@middlewave
You clearly have never met John!
@Paul
I agree Tony’s book is very good.
However I. My opinion the best non QC opening book is The Triangle System by Sherbakov. That book is streets ahead in terms of depth of analysis than pretty much anything else they have ever done. Would have been worthy of been a QC book do you agree Jabob?
@The Doctor
Oh, there are many books we could easily have done. Those two are definitely good books, but obviously there are a lot of good books out there.
Any chance to have Key Concepts of Gambit Play under my christmas tree the 24/12 ? 😉
Will playing e5 come out in january or sooner?
For me, the.best non openings books and i must say i learned q lot from them are tactics from scratch, karolyis books on karpov, gelfand posituonal dm and aagaards positional play.
I have recently realized that I really need to know more about how to play against the English. I don’t suppose you could divulge what Mikhalevski’s upcoming book will recommend?
Sherbakov’s book really is one of the best opening books I’ve ever seen. There’s no doubt it will be the “bible” for the Triangle for years and years to come. The ChessPub BotY award was very well deserved in that case!
Geez, thanks! I REALLY appreciate that, means a lot. 😉
@Jacob Aagaard
Oh yes I have! But I meant all those things in relation to the public. John is quiet, in this blog for example 🙂
@Michel Barbaut
No, it will take too long to print (Christmas catalogues). But the book is in the final stages of typesetting and proof reading. It is done.
@middlewave
He does answer things from time to time… But yeah, he is very business like.
@TonyRo
I’m hearing and seeing great reviews of your book. What’s your next project than? As you play the Leningrad Dutch (if I remember correctly from chesspub), you’re my only hope for the Dutch repertoire book based on the Leningrad variation that is really worked out and computer checked.
If you happen to work on such a project, in the main line include at least two options: 8…Qe8 and 8…c6, please.
Well, after his DVDs on the main line Leningrad Dutch I have a tiny bit of hope for such a book from GM Marin too. Is the Leningrad Dutch family “sufficiently correct” for QC standards then?
@Jacob Aagaard
Is Nikos’ book on the Breyer still in good time approximately to still be published in January?
What is the playing strenght of mr. Ntirlis??
He is not a grandmaster but wowwwwwwwwww his books are great!!!!
@AJZ
Thanks! I do indeed enjoy a good Leningrad, but no chess projects in the works for me at the moment, mostly because of time. The Killer Sicilian becoming a book was sort of a fluke – at some point I realized I could fill up a book, and on a whim I shot out an e-mail. I suspect that any chess projects from TonyRo will be similarly whimsical in nature. 😉
@ TonyRo
I thought you were involved in “Play 1.Nf3”. Are you out of that project?