Greetings readers!
This wonderful Nimzo-Indian repertoire book will be published on 21 August (available in both paperback and hardcover from day 1), alongside the previously announced The Woodpecker Method 2 and Tiger’s Chaos Theory.

Playing the Nimzo-Indian offers a complete repertoire for Black in this great opening. I’ve had the Nimzo in my repertoire for decades. Black develops quickly, while keeping a faultless pawn structure with great flexibility – what’s not to love? We are also nearing completion of a companion volume, covering all other lines after 1.d4 Nf6 where White avoids the Nimzo.
As you will see from the description on the above link, as well as the sub-title “A Dynamic Repertoire”, this book offers a direct, counterattacking interpretation of the Nimzo-Indian. Rest assured, this isn’t some kind of attack-at-all-costs nonsense: if there’s a simple and straightforward route to a comfortable position, our friend and author Renier will happily take it. But when the conditions are ripe, Renier shows how Black can fight for the initiative where other authors might settle for a slower, duller approach.
Something else I love about this book is that Renier has gone to a lot of trouble to explain key ideas and concepts. With some of our authors, their quality of analysis might be first-rate, but we have to remind them to produce chapter introductions and conclusions. Renier is the complete opposite: every chapter has a distinct introduction; every main variation ends with its own conclusion before the next variation; and every chapter ends with a generous conclusion, recapping the most important points. Renier also offers superb practical advice regarding which details are important to memorize, compared to other parts where it’s enough to take in the main ideas.
Check out the excerpt, which includes a short chapter, as well as the usual abridged variation index.
This title will be published on Forward Chess and Chess Tempo, on the same date as the printed version. It will also be on the New in Chess app and Kindle, with dates still to be confirmed. It will not be on Chessable.
Finally, sticking with the ebook topic, there was a recent blog comment where I replied with wrong information about the Woodpecker 2 publication date on Chessable. Our print edition is due on 21 August, and our digital partners Forward Chess and Chess Tempo will also publish on that date, but Chessable will NOT publish on the same date. As stated in the edited blog comment:
“I’ve just found out that Chessable will actually have a later publication date, as they need some additional time for the video production process. I’m told they will release the course in two parts, the first being due in September and the second in November or December 2024.”
hi. i already got the nimzo book from roiz, which was very detailed and well analyzed. why should i buy this one? what the difference? are there overlaps? tx
Please could anyone give me any sought of update about ‘A Matter of Middlegame Technique’ , I can’t wait to read it . Thank you .
Joseph Wilson.
Hi,
is it possible that You give some information which openings in the centre of the upcoming opening books?
Greetings
Hi Felix,
Sorry for being a bit slow to reply – especially as you asked an excellent question, which I’m sure other prospective buyers of Renier’s work have also been wondering.
There are at least three main reasons for Nimzo players to invest in both of these books rather than just one:
1) Against most of White’s main options, the two authors recommend different lines for Black. All of them are good and sound, but you will likely find that in this variation you prefer Roiz’s recommendation, while in that variation Renier’s line is the one that chimes with you. Some readers will surely be happy to have two options in their repertoires, to keep opponents guessing.
2) While Roiz did a superb job, Renier’s work benefits from the inclusion of recent theoretical discoveries and stronger engines. A great example is the 4.Qc2 d5 5.a3 variation, where the two books cover the same ground. Since Roiz wrote his book, new ideas have emerged for both White and Black. Renier’s book gives advice against the former and points out the latter where applicable.
3) On a slightly more abstract note, the two authors each have their own way of communicating, and it’s always beneficial to hear what different experts have to say on a topic. I’m sure we can all think of times when we’ve tried to learn something, but it doesn’t really sink in; but then someone else explains the same information in a different way, and suddenly it all makes sense.
I hope that’s of some help. Of course, the excerpt and abridged variation index will offer a bit more detail about Renier’s writing style and choice of recommendations.
Joseph – I understand that Jacob is working on that book when time permits, but some other projects have needed to be prioritized lately. We will provide further scheduling updates in due course.
Stefan – we are close to making an announcement about at least one upcoming opening book. Keep an eye on this blog in the next week or two.
It’s been two weeks, any update on the announcement. I’m really looking forward to it. Thank you.
Joseph Wilson.
It is possible to know what Grandmaster Reinier is going to recommend in his second volume, especially against 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3
Thanks in advance Andrew.
Stepjan – it will be the Vienna (4…dxc4) in that position. The book is almost completely edited, so it won’t be long before further details are available.
5.a3 in the Rubinstein Variation isn‘t covered unless I have overlooked it. Otherwise the book looks excellent.
Good morning David,
If you look on page 246 in the chapter 9 (4 e3 0-0 5 Bd3 d5), you will see a note that says the following:
“5 a3 transposes to positions examined under 4 a3 after 5…Bxc3 6 bxc3 c5! followed by …Nc6. In fact, these positions are more often reached through Rubinstein move orders than they are through 4 a3.”
I think you may have overlooked it…
Thank you!