Hi guys, I am really busy working away on books, so I wanted to tell you what the next few publications are likely to be. This does not mean that other books have been forgotten. Negi and Shaw are still on the way, the QID is coming down the line, as are more Gelfand book and a lot of other interesting stuff, we would like to keep secret for a little bit.
This is just what we are looking to complete over the very near future.
Tibor Karolyi | Mikhail Tal’s best games 3 – The Invincible | 27 September 2017 |
Nikos Ntirlis | Playing 1.d4 d5 – A Classical Repertoire | 27 September 2017 |
Mihail Marin | Grandmaster Repertoire – Pirc | Autumn |
Esben Lund | Sharp Endgames | Autumn |
Jaan Ehlvest | Opening Preparation | Autumn |
Axel Smith | Woodpecker | Autumn |
David Llada | The Thinkers | Autumn |
Boris Avrukh | GM Repertoire 2A | Autumn |
Marin’s book on the Pirc is at the printer and Sharp Endgames by Lund will follow briefly. The Thinkers are going to print any moment and Andrew is moving swiftly through the editing of Avrukh’s latest 1.d4 book.
But I also wanted to take the time to tell you about two books that will come slightly later in the autumn; a book on opening preparation by former participant in the Candidates matches, Jaan Ehlvest, which is promising to be an interesting read, and a book for the more practically inclined, by Axel Smith on the Woodpecker Method. The final titles and covers have not been decided, but I would be surprised if we did not go with The Woodpecker Method…
How is it the popular phrase goes?… “Shut up, and take my money”? 🙂
Interesting line up.
As Marin’s book is already at the printer, how about an excerpt?
@Thomas
“The Pirc Defence” excerpt should be up later today, unless something odd happens. Just the small matter of deciding which part to put in the excerpt.
@John Shaw
Great!
Hi Jacob, “The Thinkers”… I remeber Thinkers vs Doers from the Lars-Bo Hansen book. Does it has something to do with this concept or what is the meaning of it. Just thinking.
When you say “Nikos Ntirlis Playing 1.d4 d5 – A Classical Repertoire 27 September” does that mean it’s out on Forward Chess today?
@Bulkington
This is a book of photographs by the premier chess snapper David Llada. Check out his website: http://www.davidllada.com/
@Mark Crowther
iOS only, Mark. Android version is delayed until further notice.
The excerpt for “The Pirc Defence” is available now: http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/PircDefence-excerpt.pdf
@ForwardChess
But very soon presumably? Not the same basic process?
@Mark Crowther
Mark, yes, hopefully a day or two. But we dont want to set a date yet.
e3 Poison is book of the year for the next cycle. Looking forward the the Woodpecker Method, whatever it is.
Thanks for posting the excerpt, looks great – I’m very much looking forward to this book, being a Pirc player myself 🙂 . By the way, I noticed Marin recommends 5…c5 vs the Austrian Attack, so those who predicted 5…0-0 6.Nf3 Na6 were wrong 🙂 .
@Michael Yip
Axel explained this method in his previous book ‘Pump Up Your Rating’.
@ Michael Yip:
I guess you haven’t read “Pump up your rating”? The woodpecker method is about solving the same set of puzzles over and over again, the idea being to drill the patterns into your head.
The Woodpecker Method . Good old WM !
In tribute to Herbert Chapman ?!
@Ray
I guess the question is what kind of material Alex Smith is going to provide in his book on the Woodpecker Method. In that book if I remember correctly he said any puzzles would do.
I dropped an entire rook last night. Haven’t done any tactical training for a while, used to do it daily. It really helps.
What is the recommended line in the 4.Be3 variation of the Pirc book? An accelerated 4…c6, leaving the bishop on f8 for a while? And in the classical? 6…c6, and so on? Thank you very much.
Can I write a repertoire book that includes in part some variations offered as repertoire of another book already published?
Only main lines, not the same format (selected games,…).
@ForwardChess
Not on iOS either yet
@The Doctor
Perhaps within an hour or so.
Thanks for the update Forward Chess. I will keep the cash for d4 d5 burning a hole in my pocket.
@ForwardChess
Do you intend to propose a Cloud in the future ?
@Pinpon
Sorry, could you, please, elaborate? We already have a cloud setup and we will continue developing its functionality.
The method has been perfected by Hans Tikkanen , his name means woodpecker in Swedish.
or in Finish languagei think, Axel says something in his book
Hi Forward Chess, when does the Tal book go on Ios? Got the d4 d5 book looks excellent so far
@Simon Harding
Both got released at the same time. Please restart the app or, better yet, the device.
@ForwardChess
Was there a problem with the Android upload?
@ForwardChess
While you are here if you were able to address in a future update the problem in iOS on iPhone that when you switch the engine off the display jumps to top of the page that would be great.
Is there any advantage to the cloud functionality other than allows you to swap between android and iOS?
@John Shaw
I wonder what Marin plans after what probably is the most critical line of the entire book, Austrian after 5…c5 6. Ab5.
My guess is that this publishes Wednesday 18 August. Would this be a close estimate?
@Leon Trotsky
Is that 2018? ;0)
@Leon Trotsky
We will need to make some changes to the Android app before new books are released.
@PaulH
Please contact us directly with general questions. We should probably limit this discussion on Quality Chess blog to the issues related to Quality Chess books ?
@James2
I had a keyboard lapse, I meant 18 October 2017.
Is November still Autumn in UK?
@ Leon Trotsky
The big disadvantage is that white has a forced draw in that line. I’m also interested to see what Marin will recommend against 6.cxd5 Qa5 7.Qd4, which is a tricky line recommended before by Greet.
@Ray
Black has the forced draw. And he can deviate. For example, with the nice move 6. … Nc6!?
It would be interesting if he recommends this, since it is not very well explored. But maybe too risky for a GM rep.
@Mark Crowther
Thanks! Great photos. Looking forward to see book.
Hi all,
Jacob said “Marin’s book on the Pirc is at the printer and Sharp Endgames by Lund will follow briefly”.
What about an excerpt of Lund’s new book ?
@Nico
What about 6. Ab5+ Ad7 7. e5 Cg4 8. e6 Axb5 9. exf7+ followed by either 9…Kf8 or 9…Kd7 ?
…..a book on opening preparation by former participant in the Candidates matches, Jaan Ehlvest, which is promising to be an interesting read,……
well that sounds good. I hope this book will explained how to ( better) use all those excellent GM Rep. books ! really curious to see what it will talk about.
I think it will be next week before a “Sharp Endgames” excerpt appears.
I have no idea if the question fits in here but lets see 😀
I am reading GM Rep 6 and 6a at the moment. And i can’t find the line 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd 4.Nxd Nf6 5. f3 in any of the mentioned books. Is this a hole or am I too blind? 😉
Best regards, keep up the great work!
Why Did ntirlis recommend the kramnik approach and not the tartacower wich had a good and Health reputation
@Franck Steenbekkers
Yes, shame on him, recommending the trendy line that all the top players play…
I understand you well. TMB is great and fun to play, in my opinion the line to choose if you want to fight for more than equality.
Resulting positions are complex and the player with better knowledge and understanding always has a chance to outplay his opponent.
TMB is real classical chess 😀
@Marcus
Pardon my ignorance, but what is TMB?
James
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessopening?eco=d58
@Muffin
Sergei Kasparov did a book on this ‘Steamrolling the sicilian’ so not a minor line- not sure why this was not classed as an anti sicilian in 6a as it is a clear attempt to avoid main lines at only move 5. Carlsen used it to succcessfully shut out Karjakin in their final tie break game
Any indication from Forward Chess on the Android App upgrade?
@Steve
This weekend, probably Saturday, if all goes well.
Would Secret Life of Bad Bishops has any hope to get into Forward Chess app?
TMB=Tartakower-Makagonov-Bondarevsky variation
the …b6 setup against Nc3/Nf3/Bg5 move order in the QGD
tartacower makogomov bondarevsky i think so is this variation named in former rossia
I think nothing new has happened in the Tartakower for the past 100 years. I.m.o. it’s great that Nikos recommends something fresh – besides, you can do worse than playing a variation endorsed by Kramnik, especially with black.
P.S.: those who want exciting chess shouldn’t play the QGD in the first place, but swith to the KID or something similar.
Re TMB, IM John Cox wrote a repertoire book (declining QG) for another publisher recommending Tartakower and the Lasker. IM Cox is an excellent writer having also written the Berlin book and the older meeting 1 d4 deviations openings book.
A book on the tartakower wold be nice micky adams is een expert on it
@Johnnyboy
Hi Johnny,
Yes, this is maybe the biggest mistake we have ever made. Mainly because it was made twice, by the same editor, first in GM6, then in 6a. People in Glasgow can still hear my shouting in anger about it.
I will get Colin to do a new blog post with what was recommended in Experts on the Anti-Sicilian.
Any chance of a white repertoire book against 1…e5 based on the Evans Gambit and another system against the Two Knights (and I guess the Hungarian too…)? The Alterman Gambit Guide gets into the Evans, but something more definitive would be great. And if I were to be particularly greedy, I’d love to see analysis on the 4.Ng5 approach against the Two Knights; 4.d3 and 4.d4 seem pretty well covered, but I haven’t seen much of anything regarding 4.Ng5 from the White side.
Will
@Jacob Aagaard
Sorry, different editor, same proof readers. Does not matter, we take the responsibility as a team.
He said ‘Fun to play’ and ‘Fighting for more than equality’ so obviously he meant The Modern Benoni, what else.
Don’t you just hate lazy people that post uncommon abbreviations and acronyms without once refering to their meaning in the body of the text. These kind of posters I would never accept or offer a draw to over the board, you either checkmate them or play till only kings are left.
Dear Mr. Forward Chess,
If possible please provide the exact release date of 1…d6 against everything, I can hardly wait to examine this, as the blurb says, refreshingly slim repertoire.
Thanks in advance.
a few questions
1. will there be an 1. e4, e5 (for black) GM Rep in the near future ?
I’m interested in trying classical openings after getting lost in the hyper moderns and am loving negi’s series but for e5 its harder to find quality material in main lines
2. will there be a QGD (for black ) GM Rep
again looking to play classic chess
Thanks for all the hard work you guys do !
Playing classical chess, for example IQP or hanging pawns positions, is not exciting?
@Forward Chess
Is Saturday still likely? Those iOS users already have the new iPhone release plus 1. d4 d5 book, and we Android users still wait 🙂
@Leon Trotsky
It is likely, but it is not guaranteed. Not sure if it makes you feel better.
And yes, those iOS users have had an advantage over the last 48 hours. ?
Don´t hold your breath. The repertoire is slim indeed but that also means that Black sometimes lands in passive positions. The Authors admit that White is better in some lines but that Black´s better understanding will outweigh this.
@Will
I will consider it
@Savage Dragon
No and no. The main reason is that we have them from Ntirlis. He is the coach of many strong GMs, but not a titled player. This is the only reason he is not in the Grandmaster Preparation series. His books are used by grandmasters…
@allpieceswanttoplay
£1 on Ray in this fist fight 🙂
@Topnotch
We are planning to release an update to the Android app over the weekend. Once it is done, it should have the same list of titles as the iOS one.
@Forward Chess
Thanks for the prompt reply, I look forward to the Android app update.
@Jacob Aagaard
Haha, I wasn’t planning to coninue this discussion because I concluded tastes differ 🙂 . Still, now I can’t resist adding that with the proper definition of ‘exciting’ one can even call the Petroff exciting. But seriously, @allpieceswanttoplay: the point I wanted to make is that the idea of playing the QGD is to gradually equalise with solid positional moves. Kramnik’s line (like all his lines) fit this bill perfectly. And if you want IQP’s, I think you can get them also with the recommended repertoire line. And really, I doubt whether there is much excitingly new and fresh to add to e.g. Cox’ book on the Tartakower.
Franck Steenbekkers and me just said that we both would have appreciated TMB to be covered in the book. Nobody said that Kramniks variation is bad, of course it equalizes and Black is solid
@Ray:
Same goes for TMB. You equalize, but TMB has a big adavantage: Depending on which move order Whites chooses, there is more potential left in the position or not?
And even QGD-players like to have chances with Black or not?
Your reference to a 2011 published book makes no sense to me. First of all theory changes so quickly and please compare the publisher. Come on Ray, you cannot compares apples and oranges …
Hi all,
While I’m awaiting my paper copy of Nikos’ 1 d4 d5 book, could anybody who has the electronic version let me know what his recommendation is against the London System ( 2 Bf4 and 2Nf3/3 Bf4)?
Thank you.
James
Against the London he recommends same as Avrukh in GM Rep 11, the lines where you play an early …e6.
I haven’t really delved deep into Cox’s book on the TMB, so I cannot really say how much of it needs an update; but I seriously doubt it would take him more than 2-3 days in the TMB chapters. I have been following the TMB theory very closely for many many years, for various reasons not relevant to this thread, and I can assure you all that the last 5 years in this system may have produced not much more than a couple of pages’ worth of new material. The theory has been almost played out after decades of testing at the very highest level, computer assistance is of minimal significance (it’s just not that type of position), and even the strategy has been worked out to a great extent.
On the other hand, I personally agree with Ray: the TMB’s philosophy is completely different from that of the Lasker or the Kramnik, if I may call it so, and the resulting play is certainly much more interesting and strategically rich, if one is interested in that!
@The Doctor
That’s great, thank you. Does he recommend the Wesley So line against Giri (..cxd4 followed by ..Nh5)?
James
@middlewave
Thanks, I fully agree that there is not much to add to the theory of the Tartakower. Besides, Cox is a good author, who also wrote a splendid book for Quality Chess on the Berlin Wall, so the publisher does not always say that much about a book.
John Cox is a serious guy who writes these books for fun and the challenge of it. He writes for Everyman because of personal relationships with some great people there.
Having said that, I remember that one line in the book did not work. So be careful. And no, I do not remember which one, only that it was around move 20 where one minute for the engine was enough to crack it. This has happened to everyone and is not meant as criticism, just a warning for those wanting to rely on the book.
“Woodpecker” is the best chess book title I’ve ever heard!
Hi Jacob
early this summer There was a question about a possible ( or not) new edition by QC of “imagination in chess” by P.GAPRINDASHVILI . Is this project still on the board ?
@Topnotch
Despite all the hours that we put in over the weekend, we didn’t finish it then. The good news is that the update is now live in the Google Play Store. Once you upgrade, the new books should be available.
Please EMAIL us if you have questions or comments ?
I would like to add that, IMO, the best sources from which to study the TMB are Kasparov’s books (Kasparov vs Karpov, particularly the first volume about the 1984-85 and 1985 matches) and Ivan Sokolov’s “Winning Chess Middlegames” (a lot of material in that book focuses on the TMB opening theory and resulting structures).
@ForwardChess
Thanks very much.
I was wondering if Berg has any update or just some information on how the main line in his Winawer book volume 2 with 7. Dg4 0-0 8. Ad3 Cbc6 with 13. Dg4 b5 14. h4 Tf5 is going, after the move 15. Cg5.
@Leon Trotsky
Hasn’t Negi said the final word on this?
@Ray
Well I mean how things have been since Negi’s book, of course.
Dear Madfams and Sirs from Quality Chess, can you tell something about Mr. Negi´s plans against 1….; e5 in his Repertoire series. Can you reveal if he relies on the Ruy Lopez, the Scotch or something else? Thank you very much!
Aah, please excuse my typing mistakes – I was sending the question too fast…
@ Kai Hombrecher
He will rely on the Ruy Lopez, but other than that nothing will be revealed until the book goes to the printer – many have tried and failed to get more information 🙂 . For me the biggest question mark is what Negi is going to recommend against the unbreachable Berlin Wall (not to mention the Marshall Gambit).
@ Ray
Thank you very much – Ruy Lopez is good News for me! :o)
@Ray
Versus the Marshall he wil probably recommend 8 A4 he has already wrote an art About this
Just bought 1 d4 d5 on Forward Chess. I have the nasty habit of buying both the printed version and electronic version, to much of @Jacob Aagaard ‘s delight I’m sure.
Speaking of which, I’m still waiting for Positional Play on Forward Chess (I have the printed version). Any plans to release it soon to complete the series?
Hi all at QC,
Can we hope to see something from the white perspective next year from Nikos? For example, 1 Nf3 2g3 has been very popular over the last year or so. Playing The KIA might be a nice one for Nikos….
James
@Michel Legein
Yes, this is the business plan.
@Jacob Aagaard
Excellent. Looking forward to it.
I suppose Nikos will be interested by the game Brunello-Rodshtein today at Isle of Man ( 13. Tc1 !? )
Sorry . Rodhstein – Brunello
@Jacob Aagaard
Hi Jacob. I have a question. What about the book “Chess from Scratch”. Is it still ongoing?
Any plans to publish a book on Calculation for 1600-2000 elo in 2018?
@Pinpon
Hello Pinpon,
Rodshtein’s move order was indeed quite smart. Black had to find 15…Kb8! not fearing Nxb6 and planning to meet Nc5 with Rc8 when the sacrifices of the knight to b7 (or the other one to c6 when comes to e5) are not dangerous.
Hello,
It is great that the Tal series is complete. Hopefully the special offer for it will be available soon?
A idea fore nikos play .c4-c5
@kutlu hasan
I like 1.c4 e6! (see “Playing 1.d4 d5”)
Thanks Nikos . Seems very solid indeed .
Yes indeed nikos keep up the good work many thanks your great books
@QC
In the website, when selecting “Thinking Inside the Box” it says paperback is “out of stock”, but also that paperback release is scheduled for 2018.
Could you confirm if it has been released?
Thanks
@Al
Yes, I am struggling a bit at the moment with too many irons in the fire, but it is part of a big concept that will happen and is happening.
@John Simmons
I will bring it to John’s attention.
@Fer
Out of stock means there is no stock. It will be out in 2018.
@Jacob Aagaard
Thank you.
@Jacob Aagaard
Thanks Jacob
Hi,
I wanted to ask, when approximately can we expect excerpt from Playing 1.e4 – Sicilian & French by John Shaw.
Thanks
Are there plans for new Avruch books
My bet still on 18th October for Pirc book. 🙂
@Franck steenbekkers
Andrew is more than half way through the edit of 2A
@Leon Trotsky
1-2 weeks early, at least.
Sorry, no predictions on that. I am making progress, but it’s too soon for any date predictions.
@John Shaw
You could ask Mr. Huebner for support: it took him only 30 years to write his masterpiece “25 annoted games”
@Phil Collins
Just out of curiosity: how long did it take you to write your masterpiece “Mama”?
When will the taimanov gm repertoire be published and who is the author? Also will there be a guy Lopez one?
How does Marin recommend against 5…c5 6. Ab5+ in the Austrian, where White can try for the repetition?
@Jacob Aagaard
I see. But still October anyway, right? And one week before for Forward Chess?
“Woodpecker Method” as a title seems a little strange in a line of titles like “Pump Up Your Rating” and “E3 Poison” (“Rating Pump Method” and “E3 Method” would have justified just that). May I suggest some alternatives (where I have to admit that I like Woodpecker) 🙂
1. Woodpecker Delight
2. Woodpecker Workshop
3. Woodpecker Strategies / Strategy (don’t know if there is just one or a whole bunch, I see different types every now and then) (also I am unaware if this is more like a strategic or a tactic)
Whose next?
.
Could we have an instructive/definite book on Paul Morphy? Games, life and pictures of the greatest chess genius in history?
It´s Black who decides on the repetition and he has decent possibilities to avoid this. I´m sure Marin will show a good way to do so. Btw in the past I have usually played 5…c5 against the Austrian Attack and so far have never met 6.e5 in tournament games otb. It seems most white amateur players are reluctant to go for the critical line.
@Tom Tidom
You mean 5…c5 6. Ab5+ Ad7 7. e5 Cg4 8. e6 Axb5 9. exf7+ Kd7 ?
I am not sure what you mean by amateur, but I am guessing that at 2300+, more would play for this line as White. Still I think that Black is equal in both 5…0-0 and 5…c5 in various lines.
Last friday I received ‘Playing 1.d4 d5′, and I think it’s brilliant! I really like the introductory chapters with discussions on typical pawn structures, and the theory is to the point without being to dense. It’s just the right balance for me! Also, Nikos’ recommended lines are crystal clear and easy to remember. For example, with his line against the Catalan I feel confident to play this next time, and i.m.o. white has absolutely nothing. This repertoire is simply rock-solid and will stand for years to come! Together with ‘Playing 1.e4 e5’ (where I have to confess I’m playing the Berlin instead of the recommended Breyer), I have nothing left to wish for with black 🙂
I second Ray’s comments about playing 1 d4 d5. It is a great book.
I only have one question regarding 1 d4 d5 2 e3 and white looking to set up a Stonewall Attack. I can’t find 2 e3 covered in the book. Can somebody refer me to the appropriate page?
Thank you very much.
James
@James2
I dont think that the Stonewall Attack is covered in the book (i think!). It is not a great system though. Just remember not to close your bishop with …e6. Play c5-Nf6-Nc6 and Bg4 or Bf5 before …e6.
I think that i missed it, because White can play the Stonewall in a more flexible way starting with the move 1.f4 and at some point , together with the editorial team, we decided not to cover the 1st move sidelines in the book. I couldn’t match Mikhalevski’s thoroughness, so i saw no point doing it.
@Ray
I also like the 1.d4 d5 book very much I’m using it in conjunction with the GM Rep on the Nimzo.
I’m just waiting for a book on the Najdorf or Taimanov and I’m sorted with Black too ?
A book covering the Black Side of the Najdorf in a thorough manner would be on my wish list too. Maybe Daniel King would like to write it?
@The Doctor
I was considering the GM Rep on the Nimzo too, but on second thought it was a bit too much theory for my taste. What I like about the Playing 1.d4 d5 book is that it is a very compact repertoire, which is easy to understand (and thus remember). Roiz relies fairly heavily on forced / tactical variations here and there, which need to be memorised. Anyway, it’s a matter of taste of course.
@Nikos Ntirlis
Hi Nikos,
Thank you for posting a comment on this. I did a bit of research and there is a line in Avrukh 1 d4 Sidelines which looks good, and there is a very recent game by Kamsky on the black side which features the line.
Thank you.
James
I fully agree that the 1.d4 d5 book is very good!
Congrats to Nikos!
I just bought the FC version of 1 d4 d5 and want to add my congratulations to Nikos for a great book.
@Leon Trotsky
We will do a new publishing schedule when we have dates, which we should have soon…
We managed to make that offer available now: http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/13/309/mikhail_tals_best_games_trilogy_in_hardcover/
I also received Tal volume 3 last Friday. It’s absolutely great! It would be very nice indeed if Karolyi could start a new series for QC…
Against 1 c4, Nikos recommends 1…e6 but only deals with 2 g3. What would he recommend against 2 e4 which leads to quite different positions? Thanks.
@John NS
he would certainly recommend, as he did more than once, to buy Mikhalevski’s book on Minor Openings.
@John NS
This chapter was supposed to be a short one, giving basic guidelines of a “starter repertoire”.
Certainly, in that position 2.e4 is a move no doubt, although a rare one (after 1.c4) and (imho) a dubious one after 2…d5. It most certainly will lead to the type of exchange French we covered with Jacob in “Playing the French”.
In the resulting IQP position, Black plays Nc6-Nf6-Bb4-Qd6 and puts his rooks at e8 and d8. If i recall correctly, after the move a3 we gave two options for Black. One was to play Ba5 and put the bishop to b6 in order to put pressure at the center and the other one was Bxc3 following a positional masterpiece of the 13-year old Carlsen!
I hope this makes some sense to you!
I still think that Spassky would be a great follow-up.
No decent books around about him.
@ Thomas:
I second this. And it would also be interesting to have some good books on the younger generation, e.g. Ivanchuk or Kramnik. I know these are also covered in the Move by Move series by Everyman, but not nearly as thorough and good as Karolyi could.
@John NS
2…d5 is more or less a refutation. White’s only real idea is 3.exd5 exd5 4.d4 and we have the exchange French…
There are realy no books on krammik
@John Shaw
Thank you
Hi.
@Leon Trotsky
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 Bxb5 9.exf7+ Kf8!
(instead of 9…Kd7) is the move if you want to avoid the drawing line:
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 fxe6 9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxe6 Bxd4! 11.Nxd8 Bf2+ 12.Kd2 Be3+ 13.Ke1 Bf2+ 14.Kd2 Be3+ 15.Ke1 Bf2+ (=)
This has been known since 2009 (2005 if you follow certain internet chess forums), when a generally well-written chapter by FM Vigus on 9…Kf8 was included in a Pirc/Modern book from a non-leading other chess publisher. Arguably if Marin does not cover this move he will either have to allow the drawing line above or seriously shift theory somewhere else (e.g. in 9…Kd7) in order to show black to be OK.
@Jacob Aagaard
Sounds good, Forward Chess already have “October” for Pirc, just no date yet.
Paper book should be a week after, still guessing the date…
@Leon Trotsky
Yeah, we put October, but we are waiting for QC to tell us the exact date. ?
@Nikos @Jacob Aagaard
Thanks for the advice on dealing with 2 e4 in the English. Of course, I wasn’t expecting Nikos to cover all the English lines since that would probably double the size of the book! It also looks like Mikhalevski’s book would be a good compliment to Nikos’s book as Cowe suggests.
@ForwardChess
Last Wednesday of October 😉
Hi Jacob
i posted this few days ago.
“..early this summer There was a question about a possible ( or not) new edition by QC of “imagination in chess” by P.GAPRINDASHVILI . Is this project still on the board ?
..”
maybe it has been forgotten, or Someone else at QC may have the answer… or already in press ???
thx
@RYV
Not in the press and Chrysalis do not reply to emails. So, not happening it seems.
i hope it is just a question of time….but it is sad that some good chess books are out of stock and are not being given a new edition.
We have put up an excerpt of “Sharp Endgames” by Esben Lund. http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/SharpEndgames-extract.pdf
The QC publication date of “The Pirc Defence” by Mihail Marin and “Sharp Endgames” by Lund will be November 1. I know that date is a holiday in some countries, so I guess chess shops in those holidaying countries will have the books a day later.
That makes a Forward Chess release date for both books of October 25.
@John Shaw
Looks very interesting – seems like another ‘must buy’ for me 🙂
Just for knowledge, is there a reason that Forward Chess publish the books one week before the paper release from QC printers, instead of publishing whenever the files are finished?
@Leon Trotsky
Yes, we do not want to upset the retailers that we have worked well with for more than a decade. This is a balanced approach as far as we are concerned.
We have put up an excerpt for David Llada’s beautiful photography book “The Thinkers”.
http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/TheThinkers-excerpt.pdf
I should mention that the excerpt is intentionally low-resolution, so the images in the real book are much bigger and better.
If printing goes on schedule, “The Thinkers” will be published on November 1, the same day as “The Pirc Defence” and “Sharp Endgames”.
@John Shaw
Great pictures – it’s great that you’re publishing books like this 🙂 . I’ll certainly buy this one!
@Ray
Already for sale 😉
I’ve been reading Pump Up Your Rating and have really come to appreciate the program suggested by Axel Smith
I am curious if you guys have some contact info for Axel as I am looking for a coach and he seems to have the best system of teaching/learning down
I’ve already looked around online but to no avail — Thanks either way
Not sure if anyone have mentioned that before:
In “Playing 1. d4 d5” at chapter 2b on pages 72-80 all games begin with 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nc3.
Overall i like the book so far. Good work! I will play the queen’s gambit again.
Yes I saw that too. Ooops.
@Karl
Sorry, an ugly blunder, but at least it is clear what move was intended (4.Nf3). I suspect it went wrong because it was originally there as 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 and someone intended to change the move order to the standard 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3, but managed to make only half the intended change. And no one here noticed.
Just for the record and a possible new printrun: There is a similar thing in Negi I, page 419 when Negi uses his game against Zenklusen to show the merits of 7.Nf3 e6(!) in Caro Kann Main line, when the actual game went 7.h5 Bh7 8.Nf3 Nf6 according to DB and …e6 was only played 10th move and appears in the book a second time, when it should be replaced for the purpose of the book by 10…Nf6.
Hi,
Any plans from Ntirlis for a white repertoire book?
His two books for black made me change my repertoire back to what I used to play when I started. It is a delight! Thank you so much!
Hi Jacob
Please could you tell me when the first of your ‘Grandmaster Training’ series is likely to be published.
Thank you
Kind regards
Andy
Jacob, John et al
Watching the Champions showdown reminded me how much of chess is speeding up. I play in a league with 34 moves in 90 mins plus 15min quickplay and a allegro league 30 mins per game. I know I used to play a much slower time control (anyone remeber adjournments?) and play differently the quicker it gets- both openings and strategies.
Any market for a book for quicker time controls? I know Sveshnikovs did one for New In Chess but this was purely a repertoire- I’d prefer some advice from the professionals- eg time management, which endgames do you need to know off by heart eg mate with bishop and knight, pawn structure or activity more important. Someone told me keep knights are at least the equal of bishops at faster controls due to the forks for instance. Pitching it at the club level would be best for me but happy for you to go where the money is.
Thanks
Good morning Quality Chess Team. I would like to ask if you are planning to do a 1 d4 repertoire book with a classical Nf3 setup, but without fianchetto of LSB. I own the Schandorff books and most of it I liked and had pleasant results with his repertoire. But I want to be more flexible and try to improve in other variations as well.
@Siddhartha Gautama
We just did the e3 Poison book. It is a lot of what you are talking about.
Any chance for another minor update of the publishing schedule? The ‘Coming soon’ section is looking rather desolate at the moment…
@Ray
Yeah, will do it at some point. The main problem is that we are lacking covers. I think we have one for a book called “under the surface”, which will be out early next year. I have (as one among others) approved a drawing, based on a quirky idea Andrew and I made up in conversation. Probably 80%+ him I should say, in case no one likes it 🙂
Hi
I hope we will have news about Gelfand 3rd book on decision making…
I have a bit of news, which is that Boris and I will do some more recordings in the near future. This book is far into the future. I would expect autumn 2018. We know what we are doing, but I will have to spend a lot of energy on it, as I do not want to compromise on quality.
@Jacob Aagaard
I looked into the excerpt and I am quite confused. Taking chapter 5 as an example, what is a reversed KIA?
KIA is defined by Nf3/g3/Bg2/0-0 and d3.
Black has multiple ways to play against this, therefore calling chapter 5 a reversed KIA says me litterally nothing.
As you mentioned only Axel Smiths book, there is nothing planed in the long run with main line play 1 d4 / 2 c4 / 3 Nf3 (but without fianchetto)?
@Siddhartha Gautama
e3 against the King’s Indian, leading to a typical reversed reversed position. I cannot see it is so complicated. But the book does require some work to get the most out of it, but that is what happens when you want to be flexible…
Any prediction for when the taimanov book will be released?
Seems very little is going on at QC at the moment. Very big lull
I interpret the quiet on the blog as a sign that they’re very hard at work. Sssh, don’t disturb them!
@Dextro53
No. But it is getting closer.
@The Doctor
Yeah, we should get into writing books over the weekend like some other publishing houses :-).
@Remco G
Absolutely. When I have time, I am more active on the blog. Currently working from 6am till 10pm on many days.
Hi Jacob,
I was just wondering, although the title may sound self explanatory, are there any more clues as the the type of content in Opening Preparation by Ehlvest?
Thank you.
James
@James2
No 🙂
Are you preparing a new book with my Hero marin.
He is an excellent choise for book About benoni or Leningrad dutch or repertoire books for white.
Is there Some negi news
love your succinct and subtle answers. any chance I could get the same treatment about my question about any QC plans for a book for rapid/blitz play I posted last week. A simple yes or no as usual is fine…
Hi,
I have been greatly enjoying Nikos’ books on 1 e4 e5 (again) and 1 d4 d5 over the last couple of weeks. I got to thinking that we haven’t seen anything from Nikos from the white perspective. Can we hope for a white repertoire book in 2018 from Nikos?
Thank you.
James
@Franck steenbekkers
We just put one book out by this newly married man…
@Johnnyboy
No plans. I do not see that you need different openings.
@James2
Nikos is helping John, like the rest of us, with finishing 1.e4 vol 2.
Congrats to Nikos,
his book ‘Playing 1.d4 d5 – A Classical Repertoire’ received an outstandingly good review by IM Dirk Schuh in the December edition of the German chess magazine Rochade Europa. He wrote quite a detailed review and called it already the book of the year 2017.
I bought the book a short time after publication and fully agree with Mr Schuh. ???
@Jacob Aagaard
Yes, this is great news! Hopefully we will see book 2 very soon!
Thanks Jacob.
James
I’m also very much looking forward to volume 2 of Playing 1.e4! By the way, it seems some of your competitors are not aware of volume 1?! In his recent book on the Caro-Kann, Kornev recommends the 3…c5 variation against the Advance. After 4.dxc5 e6 (! according to Kornev) 5.a3 he claims black is equal, but he does not even mention Shaw’s recommendation from Playing 1.e4.
Hey John,
I’m very curious about Playing e4 Volume 2. When do we get the chance to have to look into an excerpt? Currently I’m looking nearly every day?
Thanks a lot
Is there some news about Negis next book?
Looking every day?? I love a diehard optimist…………..
Date Received: 24/8/2016 22:07 GMT
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@Ray
I don’t play 1 e4 so don’t have Shaw’s book but curious to know whether the recommendation against the Caro- Kann you mention above has been played with success at a reasonably high level? You never know I might reconsider my position on playing 1 e4 when the 2nd volume is published…
@Frank
Do have a link to the review?
Thanks.
@Ray
Just curious – What does John recommend instead of 5 a3?
Thanks.
@John NS
I think this is a magazine you have to purchase online and maybe it comes physically. I could be wrong and there could be a digital copy. Either way, I don’t think the review is ‘free’.
James
@John NS
You can find the review online on the Niggemann-Homepage.
@John NS
The review by IM Dirk Schuh can be found on the Niggemann homepagem which is schachversand.de. Ssearch for Ntirlis, click the “d4d5” book title, then go to “reviews” and there you are. It is, however, in german language. The IM was really quite enthusiastic about the book, here is the last sentence of his review: “Kaufen Sie dieses Buch!”.
@Bulkington, @John NS
The URL of the page described by Bulkington is: Rezension Dirk Schuh
It would seem that Kornev has commented on this line on Chess Pub and has recommended a move not in Shaw…
It’s a bit hard to find, because it’s not in the thread on Kornev’s book, but in another thread that started on Lakdawala’s book:
http://www.chesspub.com/cgi-bin/chess/YaBB.pl?num=1511440189
Kornev says: “Writing a book takes a long time. And at that time, I was not familiar with the book “Playing 1.e4 vol. 1″.
To prove the superiority of white Shaw leads weak moves for Black. For example,”
@James2
Link please! Or variation! (I am both ill and lazy).
@Jacob Aagaard
Here you are Jacob:
http://www.chesspub.com/cgi-bin/chess/YaBB.pl?num=1511440189
He gives 13..Nd4 in one of the lines given by John.
James
@Frank
Thanks Frank and Bulkington for the link.
Thanks for the link! I’m not fully convinced by Kornev’s argument. Shaw’s book has been published over a year ago, and i.m.o. it’s the autor’s or editor’s job to check the manuscript against major new books such as Shaw’s. By the way, I’m curious to hear QC’s view on Kornev’s accusation that Shaw proposed weak moves for black to prove a plus. I can’t imagine this is the case, in this ‘engine-age’.
@ John NS:
John recommends 5.a3, my comment related to a later move in this variation (as given in the link by James2)
@ Michael: I don’t know, I suggest you check this in a database.
We do a lot of the cross referencing for the authors. Otherwise it does not happen.
I did not read it as an accusation what Kornev wrote, but an evaluation of the moves. Let’s focus on them, rather than potential verbal mix-ups. In that spirit, we will check his book, his 13…Nd4 here and the line in general. It feels a bit artificial to me to play like this with Black, but the proof is in the eating…
Maybe time fore a update of the schandorf book of the Caro kan greetings hk
@kutlu hasan
It will not happen
Winter is comming…, no estimated release dates for the books scheduled for autumn?
@Jacob Aagaard
I agree it’s best to focus on the content, and thanks for looking into this!
@Reyk @Jacob Aagaard @Ray
There is a debate above (and in links) regarding where Volume 1 of ‘Playing 1.e4’ meets a later Caro-Kann repertoire by Kornev. The position in question is after: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.a3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bxc5 7.b4 Bb6 8.Bb2 Nge7 9.Bd3 Ng6 10.0–0 Nf4 11.c4 0–0
In my book we gave the novelty 12.Bc2, but after 12…dxc4 13.Nbd2 then 13…Nd4!= improves on my analysis and leads to equality, says Kornev online. Agreed.
So my engine and I have an idea, not mentioned in either my book or Kornev’s:
12.c5!? Giving Black a protected passed pawn, but White blockades d4, and keeps the black pieces quiet.
12…Nxd3N +0.23 at depth 44 on asmFish. For example: 13.Qxd3 Bc7 14.b5 Ne7 15.Nbd2 Bd7 16.a4.
12…Bc7 +0.17 at depth 44 on asmFish. For example: 13.Bc2N a6 14.Re1 Bd7 15.g3 Ng6 16.Nbd2.
The assessment at the end of both lines is a debate: a tiny edge to White or unclear? Playable positions though.
It’s worth emphasizing that I did not criticize Mr Kornev or his book, and I am not doing so now. A reader made a comment on our blog, and we have gone from there, just looking at the chess. It’s the nature of chess opening analysis that the debate can continue forever, with one side having an idea that the other reacts to, and then repeat the cycle.
But now I should leave Volume 1, and get back to Volume 2.
Academic debates are always interesting, especially when they are conducted by adults like GM Korneev and GM Shaw.
Just wondering – is this a pretty much bulletproof classical repertoire for Black?
Playing 1.e4 e5
+ Playing 1.d4 d5
+ Beating Minor Openings: 1.c4 e5, etc.
+ Beating Minor Openings: 1.Nf3 d5, etc.
+ Beating Minor Openings: recommendations against other lines (i.e. not 1.c4 and not 1.Nf3)
(I’m asking because at the end of Playing 1.d4 d5 there are useful starter recommendations for building a 1.c4 e6 and 1. Nf3 e6 repertoire, but I’m confused as to whether these would be necessary if the above repertoire is available).
I think using Ntirlis´ recommendations against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3 reduces your workload considerably and is more in line with the QGD.
Instead, Mikhalevski´s lines can become a lot sharper. Therefore I wouldn´t call them bulletproof.
That said, I´m sure your choice is still excellent for Black.
@ John Shaw
Great, thanks for sharing this with us!
@ Michael
I play the Michalevsky repertoire and i.m.o. his book is absolutely superb. I think it is the most principled classical, since black occupies the centre whenever given the chance. I.m.o. it’s pretty bulletproof.
Thanks for the insights Tom & Ray.
Ntirlis and Mikhalevski have their own logic: N lets you stay on QGD-like territory (esp. after 1.c4 e6), while M says do 1.d4 d5 players: “don’t give White an easy life after 1.c4, so answer 1…e5, and be ready to face sharp lines after 1.Nf3 d5”. By personal taste I prefer M’s way, but I reckon both logics are excellent. To be honest though, I never played 1.Nf3 e6 with either side and don’t know what Black can expect here.
Is there any new about Axel Smith “The Woodpecker Method”? I hope he or qualitychess didn’t give up..