We are a little disappointed by our printer. How dare they put anyone else in front of us in the queue? Well, easily it appears. But with Kotronias on the King’s Indian – Fianchetto Systems uploaded and the King’s Gambit being uploaded today, everything is well and we dare project a publication date for seven books. This includes Playing the Trompowsky – An Attacking Repertoire, as well as the Mongoose title Best Play by Alexander Shashin and the paperback versions of Calculation, Positional Play and Strategic Play.
Things can still go wrong, get delayed and so on. But at least there is something to look forward to.
| Vassilios Kotronias | KID – Fianchetto Systems | 12 July |
| Richard Pert | Playing the Trompowsky | 12 July |
| John Shaw | The King’s Gambit | 12 July |
| Ntirlis/Aagaard | Playing the French | Summer |
| Emanuel Berg | GM 14 – The French (Winawer) | Summer |
| Axel Smith | Pump Up Your Rating | Summer |
| Jacob Aagaard | Attack and Defence | Summer |
| John Shaw | Playing 1.e4 – Caro-Kann, 1…e5 | Autumn |
| Ftacnik (Aagaard) | GM6a – Beating the Anti-Sicilians | Autumn |
| Danny Gormally | Mating the Castled King | Autumn |
| Jacob Aagaard | Endgame Play | Autumn |
| Tibor Karolyi | Mikhail Tal’s best games 1 | Autumn |
| Judit Polgar | From GM to Top Ten | Autumn |
| John Shaw | Playing 1.e4 – ASicilian & French | Winter |
| Jacob Aagaard | Thinking Inside the Box | Winter |
| Ftacnik (Aagaard) | GM6b – The Najdorf | Winter |
Looking forward to your book on the Tromp, which unlike the London isn’t one of those opening that just should be thrown into the garbage bin 😉
Looks great. Can’t wait to get my hands on the KID Fianchetto by Kotronias, hope it will be as good as I think it will be. Was 50/50 on getting Playing the Trompowsky, but after Carlsen used it against Kramnik, will be getting that too. Bit annoyed to see GM6b as a Winter release, was hoping to get it before the start of the next English Chess season. Ah well.
Well, now, instead of a battle of amateurs, it’s about to be Hilton, Ippolito, and Avrukh vs Kotronias in games involving the King’s Indian Defense.
…”We dare project a publication date for seven books.” What is the date for Playing the French, GM14, Rating, and Attack/Defence?
@Jacob
I was wondering if it is possible to make a pdf update for GM12? I noticed that there are lines covered in the last news letter and this morning I read on chesspublishing.com that Nikos will do some more coverage on GM12 about the new ideas that Dreev came up with in Dreev vs. the Benoni( In case anyone is wondering Nikos said he didn’t see anything for black to worry about)
Would be nice to have what ever this new analysis will be with the omissions section from the last QC news letter put into on easy to find place like the updates for the pgn excerpts section.
Thanks!
Again…Fantastic book!
Does anyone believe “Summer” for a new Shaw book…unless it’s summer of 2014 or 2015?
@Gilchrist is a Legend
Summer, summer, summer and summer. *grin*
Great news that the King’d Gambit book has goine to the printer. Nothing can go wrong anymore! John, congratulations with finishing this monster :-).
Just to stick to one issue at a time, where on the above list are you seeing “Summer” for a Shaw book?
@John Shaw
:-).
*Rubbing my eyes*…did the post get edited overnight? Time to get my vision and reading skills checked. 🙂 All the same, color me extremely skeptical as both the Berlin and especially the King’s Gambit books were published far after their initially projected dates. The Berlin book was excellent and I expect the KG book will be even better, so I anticipate that this will be a fine book too. I just don’t anticipate it coming out this year. 🙂
When someone has a moment, it would be good to see the pdf previews for the King’s Indian and (updated/revised pdf) for the King’s Gambit books.
Obviously I can imagine you are busy/super stressed at the moment wanting to get the books out for the July date, so whenever there is time, it would be highly appreciated.
Don’t tempt fate!
I am happy to claim credit for the Berlin book, as I think it was great, but that was written by John Cox, not me. Still, I can understand your doubts after the King’s Gambit delays, but the Playing 1.e4 books are more under control.
when will the playing 1 e4 appear. and is there some news about the opening serial of Jacob A.
Keep up the good job!
i mean whenn i autum and winter
@Franck Steenbekkers
Hi Franck,
‘Autumn’ or ‘Winter’ is as detailed as we will go now. No more guesses from us about which month, which later turn out to be wrong.
@John Shaw
Well, it’s not like we’re complaining if a book is delayed somewhat, it it? :-).
Thanks to Ray and all for your congratulations about finishing the King’s Gambit. With the working week over, we are heading to the nearest pub to figure out which drink goes best with the King’s Gambit. My guess is a single malt from Islay.
@John Shaw
The autumn/winter ones are fine, but it was said that seven books had a date projected–or are the ones listed as “summer” still unsure? Cheers, and last time I was in Glasgow on holiday, I ate with family in the Merchant City. Nice restaurants there.
@Gilchrist is a Legend
I think the other four are the Shashin book and the three paperback versions of Jacob’s books currently only available in hardback.
@Gilchrist is a Legend
It says in the first paragraph which books. The additional 4 are the Mongoose title and the 3 paperback version of Grandmaster Preparation.
Playing the French, GM14 still say July 2013, so if I had to guess, I would say Friday 26 July in the shops, Monday 30 July websales shipped. Not sure exactly though.
@Michael Wilde
We have this Chessbase file on the left side of the front page, which includes all updates. Sort by ECO code or subject and you should be fine, finding everything.
@Gilchrist is a Legend
The french book will not be out in July. Sorry, we have fallen behind; the KID and King’s Gambit were tough to get done…
### The Indian Defences by Lars Schandorff practiced by Carlen ###
Hello Folks!
If you’re a fan of excellent Schandorff’s repertoire for White, and if you have at your shelf particularly the “Playing 1.d4 – The Indian Defences”, then you can easily see that the winning move in following Carlsen’s game was actually mentioned on page 47, as Ponomariov’s move 16.Bb4!
Besides if you don’t have got Schandorff’s book, but you are doing the training as I do, namely with “Grandmaster Preparation – Positional Play” by Jacob Aagaard, then take a look at the exercise number 24 on page 157.
Here is the game:
Carlsen,Magnus (2864) – Anand,Viswanathan (2786) [E46]
8th Tal Memorial Moscow (5), 18.06.2013
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 Nimzo Indian
4.e3 suggested Botvinnik move 0–0
5.Nge2 the true concept of Schandorffs repertoire d5 6.a3 Be7 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nd7 9.g3 b6 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Bg2 Bb7
and now the strong 12.Bb4! Nf6
the rest is: 13.0–0 Re8 14.Rc1 c6 15.Bxe7 Rxe7 16.Re1 Qd6 17.Nf4 Bc8 18.Qa4 Rc7 19.f3 Be6 20.e4 dxe4 21.fxe4 Qd7 22.d5 cxd5 23.Qxd7 Rxd7 24.Nxe6 fxe6 25.Bh3 Kh8 26.e5 Ng8 27.Bxe6 Rdd8 28.Rc7 d4 29.Bd7 1:0
As you can see Carslen has done good work and played accordingly to Schandorff. This is best possible promotion for the book! Congratulations 🙂
Jacob,
What is the difference between 3.Nf3 and 3.Nc3 after Slav moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6? According to Schandorff we play 3.Nf3, but the upcoming Kornev’s book suggests 3.Nc3 lines.
Thanks for help.
@JohnShaw
Congratulations on finishing the KG book. I’m definitely going to buy that and I’m definitely going to keep playing the KG. But the big question now is: do you think it’s objectively ok for white?
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 obviously allows 3…dxc4, one move earlier than with 3. Nf3, and this line is completely different. The idea of 3. Nc3 and 4. e3 without a committal to Nf3 is also the idea I would suppose. 3. Nc3 can lead to 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4, the main line. But if 3. Nc3 Nf6, White can play 4. e3.
Jacob, Love Quality books !!!! Of the 3 books which would you get and study first Calculation,Positional Play or Strategic Play? I am a 50+ yr National Master who is a chess coach .
I haven’t played Tmt chess in a long time ( a lot of blitz).
@michael
Positional Play, then Calculation and finally Strategic Play.
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
The main point is that with 3.Nf3 you avoid dxc4 lines and you keep flexibility regarding …e6 lines. This is especially important if you like 4.e3. But many lines offer transposition.
@Gilchrist is a Legend
I’d like to add that after 3.Nf3 e6 4.e3 black can play 4…f5, which is less good after 3.Nc3 e6 4.e3.
@Ray
Why is it less good there? I am not afraid of any g4-nonsense. You might be right with some f3-options, but I was never sure. Maybe the knight is better on d2 and thus the Nc3-system is worse. Hard to say.
Hi Mathijs,
Thanks. I do think the King’s Gambit is OK (as in equal or unclear) but only if you answer 2…exf4 with 3.Nf3.
Wow, I just noticed the new excerpt. Dealing with the bishop’s gambit in one chapter entitled “The Refutation of 3.Bc4?!” makes me very curious indeed.
(after reading it) Ok, this will be my next chess book. The only problem is that I was going to wait with switching to 1.e4 until your books on that are out, but I want to play this stuff 🙂
I’d like to thank John to have added the honest insight that
“Is the King’s Gambit the ideal choice as a competitive weapon? In a top-level correspondence game, I think the honest answer is no”
Now I’ll read and enjoy your book.
Both excerpts look phenomenal……already fell in love with Kotronias’ book when I saw him state “The supporting analysis presented in this book should not and indeed cannot be memorized in its entirety…………of course there are certain lines that do have to be memorized more thoroughly, but they are pointed out by yours truly and are not too numerous.”
@Remco G
I will push John hard to finish the other 1.e4 books quickly. A lot have already been done on them. 2013 has been a bit chaotic, but we are finding our stride now!
@Jacob Aagaard
I’m afraid I was referring to g4 nonsense…
@Jacob Aagaard
Jacob, are you planning to publish more GM Guides? I’d like to have one on Grunfeld for Black, QGD or Slav for Black also, and a Breyer for Black.
For Grunfeld you’ll have to work hard, cause The Safest Grunfeld is very good competitor book.
Also can you say something more about GM Repertoire for Black – g3, English 1.c4 and all other 2nd moves besides 1. e4 and 1.d4.
@Remco G
You’re actually considering switching to 1.e4? My impression is that most people switch away from 1.e4 – a brave decision by you!
Jacob, we need a GM Guide for “1.d4 … 2.Nf3 … player” – a white repertoire!
Chess is a hobby for me, and I’m only around 2000. No bravery necessary, life is just too short to play 1.d4 forever. It’s just an easy thing to postpone because there is some work involved, and I don’t have a line I’m enthusiastic about against all the 1.e4 defences yet.
And I believe that in order to improve, it’s sometimes good to switch to completely fresh positions. Maybe my chess understanding has improved, but by playing the same old positions I stay stuck in my old thought patterns.
And anyway, I long for Open Sicilians as white. And the King’s Gambit will be a great companion 🙂
I have seen the King’s Indian book. This is an absolutely massive GM Repertoire book, when I never thought that the size of GM2 would be superceded, and this is only on the Fianchetto Variation. I would not be surprised if the Mar Del Plata was 1500 pages then, although I certainly would not complain. King’s Gambit, King’s Indian, and Trompowsky totalling about 1700 pages–perhaps I need to bring the books from the postbox using one of those big SportsDirect bags…
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
Over time. Not so many planned right now.
@Jacob Aagaard
Thanks!
A confirmed sighting of Nessie is indeed wonderful news!
Congrats to Captain GM Shaw for the eternal vigilance required to finally get her up on the deck and into the records of history.
Now, the only question, does the dear gal Nessie still have any sharp teeth left in that old head of hers?
🙂
I suppose the King’s Indian book will keep me busy until the two French books..more revamping of repertoire in the future.
GM Guide Breyer is interesting. I am not sure many people are familiar with playing against the Breyer; I am not even sure how many people play it under 2400. But I think it is an underrated opening, and not very many books have written on this subject.
@Remco G
Still, you’re about to climb a mountain of theory, especially if you’re going to play the Open Sicilian :-).
@Shurlock Ventriloquist
Hi Shurlock,
The King’s Gambit still has plenty of bite, and punch, and a few other things. There are many lines I would love to get on a board against someone, before they have had a chance to read the book. In fact, at the Scottish Blitz last week I was planning on playing the King’s Gambit against Arkadij Naiditsch, but he chose 1…c5. I played 2.f4 anyway, but it just wasn’t the same.
I did get one King’s Gambit on the board at the Blitz: 1-0 against 2…Bc5, but not a great game.
The recent lot of 3 books look pretty amazing guys, great work! I can’t wait to get my hands on that Kotronias tome! Currently contemplating moving to Europe for faster acquisition…
The King’s Indian looks very good too, but the I really liked the battle manual too. I have made so many Nessie jokes that I am obliged to get the King’s Gambit, also a not completely curable case of romanticism is another compelling reason.
@TonyRo
If everyone would move to Europe I could save a fortune on postage costs. Plus parts of Europe have a single currency, which I am sure is working great.
@John Johnson
It is curious that we are delivering two books at the same time that have a lot in common. The King’s Indian and King’s Gambit books are both huge, both full of wild lines. We should probably add health warnings:
“Don’t read them both at the same time.”
“Don’t lift them both at the same time.”
I am also quite eager to see what’s recommended in “Playing 1.e4” in the Mieses. I could never find anything conclusive for White after:
5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Ba6 and now:
9.Nd2 interests me greatly, but I have nothing against 9…O-O-O!? 10.b3 f6
9.b3 g6 10.f4 and now I liked the underplayed 10…d6!?
There’s also the famous ending after 9.b3 g6 10.g3 Bg7 11.Bb2 O-O 12.Bg2 Rae8 13.O-O, but I’m under the impression that’s been ruled equal for quite a long time.
@John Shaw
It does not matter since the UK are not in the common currency zone however..
Is it common to read two opening books at the same time though? I usually read one at a time. And I was planning to use a SportsDirect bag to bring the books from the postbox.
@John Shaw
Was having some lessons online with Boris Avrukh 2 years ago and when the talk came to the kings gambit, he showed me a pretty simple line for black going something like. 1: e5, e5 2: f4, d5 3: exd, exf…..Do you have an antidote for this? Remember it´s Boris A. and properly pretty serious stuff he has ready for the black side.
I believe the refutation of 3.Bc4?! was posted on the chesspub.com forum for quite some time now.
Tops 🙂
I have noticed that the Coming Soon section does not have the next King’s Indian book, but I think if the Fianchetto one is 700 pages, quite some time would be required for the more theoretical variations..
@TonyRo
1…e5 and the Mieses is certainly going to be a tough test. When I get to it, I will certainly check out the lines you mention.
@S. Hansen
2…d5 3.exd5 exf4 is one of the best defences against the King’s Gambit. After 4.Nf3 it is a transposition to what is often known as the Modern Variation – 2…exf4 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5 being another move order. We have various new ideas against it, but nothing I could call an antidote, if I take antidote to mean forcing an advantage for White. Equal or unclear is more like it. Having new ideas is a practical advantage in itself, as Black is less likely to be prepared for them.
So Boris Avrukh suggested a good defence (of course!).
After reading the introduction to the Kings Gambit I forgive John for the delays in publishing the book! I enjoyed the excerpt and look forward to getting the book! Let’s have no more bashing of John.There is a great book waiting for us on July 14.
@John Shaw
A single malt with some age, for sure.
@John Shaw
My personal favorite being Lagavulin 16. I believe Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) said something about it finishing with a “bear hug of peat,” which is pretty much right on.
@Remco G
I notice that after 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.h4 g4 5.Ne5 there is no separate heading for 5…Bg7! Must be in amongst Black’s “rare 5th moves.”
My impression was that 6.Ng4?! stinks out loud due to 6…d5! 7.exd5?? (7.Nf2 =/+ or 7.Nc3 =/+) Qe7+! 8.Kf2 Bd4+ 9.Kf3 h5!! (securing a half-open h-file is even more convincing than the other winning move 9…Bxg4+ immediately) 10.Nf2 Bg4 11.Nxg4 hxg4+ 12.Kxg4 Nf6+ etc.
Meanwhile 6.d4 Nf6! 7.Nxg4 Nxe4 looks like reliable equality. 5…Bg7 is my personal preferred defense when I am Black (and the reason I switched over to 4.Bc4 instead of 4.h4 – I must admit 4.Nc3 is not a move I had even studied), so I am looking forward to seeing why John Shaw doesn’t dignify it with an outline heading.
@ John Shaw, I have read the excerpt and really enjoyed the narrative and I am really tempted to get this and the Kotrionias KID for Christmas (if I can wait that long but there is a cap on my chess budget!) and just play through the books. I might not actually play in tournament these openings but the books look fun (yes, I am one of those who think playing through chess lines is fun!)
But can I ask f your KG book is a complete game book similar to Schandorff or variations/lines like the KID and Avrukh books? I prefer the former format even though I know lots of others on this blog forum prefer the latter.
@ Toppy, great to read your entry here. I wish you would contribute again back at ChessPub. BTW, re the refutation of Bc4 line in the KG, will I find it easily if I do a search of ChessPub forum? or do you have an easy to hand reference link?
@ Jeff Dixon, yes! single malt whisky is a must after a long project. I myself prefer Isle of Laphroaig but I did visit Lagavulin distillery and tasted their celler door special (56% (?) proof) and it was amazing! But the peat is the trump! and in my reckoning the secret to Scotland’s whiskies!
DeBesteZet have the two French books and Rating as Saturday 31 August, not sure why..
However the King’s Indian, King’s Gambit, and Trompowsky are listed as 12 July.
Strangely enough, I chose an Islay whisky with no great age at all, just because I had never heard of the new distillery. Kilchoman – liked it.
Obviously Jeff knows, but probably worth mentioning for others that the Michael Jackson mentioned above would be the late British drinks writer, not the US pop star.
@Jeff Dixon
5…Bg7 is in the rare 5th moves chapter. I am less keen on it than you. More details in the book of course.
@weng siow
Is the King’s Gambit book based on complete games or laid out in A-B-C variations? It is both; it depends on which chapter and which variation it covers. For some of the lines (for example, Chapter 1) almost no games have been played with the lines I needed to analyse.
Hi John, incidentally a few days ago I was in Madrid for a psychiatric course and had a dinner with my great friend Jesus Seoane, I remember several years ago in the Spanish Teams Championship (2nd Division) when I began to told him about that line 1e4 e5 2f4 ef 3Cf3 g5 4Cc3 and he shows me the game you are publishing in the book, fantastic work by the way.
I have played for many years the King’s Gambit, curiously enough nobody answer me with 3…g5 in an official classical game, however I had faced many Falkbeers with an amazing 100% for me, including my first GM “scalp”, Orestes Rodriguez, back in the 80’s. Lately, I was losing my faith precisely for the impossibility to take advantage in the mentioned line 2…d5 3ed ef 4Cf3 Cf6, so I await eagerly for your fresh material to maybe return to the opening, although neurones are now, I fear, no that fresh anymore…
Thanks for bring us a book almost nobody will be crazy enough to publish. All the best!
@Alfonso
Hi Alfonso,
I hope there is enough in the book to tempt you back into playing the King’s Gambit.
It is interesting what you say about never facing 3…g5. It probably takes an aggressive and principled player to choose 3…g5 against an opening that Black will rarely face. At the very top level, I associate 3…g5 with Ivanchuk and Shirov, so that makes sense.
@Michael Wilde
Adding to your comments on the Benoni book: it is indeed a great book. But… I’m missing a recommendation against 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 cxd4 4.Nxd4. Since Avrukh only covers lines without 2.c4, there seems to be a gap which is not filled with the current GM Reportoire books. Any advice on the best reply against this line? Maybe something to cover in a news letter?
Vaganian Gambit in Boris Alterman’s Gambits for Black.
@Ray
There is analysis on a relevant line in Alterman’s ‘Black Gambits 1’. The Vaganian Gambit, as we called the 4…e5 line.
Kirill’s comment wasn’t there when I posted (honest) but we are on the same page.
@John Shaw
Great, thanks for your quick replies – I will check it out!
@Ray
I do not think that you should always follow these booklines. Even if Avrukh would give a line, that doesn’t mean that you should follow.
The bad thing about these lines is that they not always fit the way you play. For some players it will be a good line, but others will feel unhappy and will have trouble handling them in practice.
In the last year i have tried different systems to test in practice which systems fit to my style. An example, I have great books on the French, but in practice it did not work out fine for me. The two systems with black that i feel comfortable with, without knowing much booklines were Benoni and Pirc. Other openings like French, queensgambit and Slav although i liked them whenplaying through these games from books, in practice i felt unsecure.
It is good to look at what best fits with your style of playing. Helpfull is Jacobs tip from 10 june.
I must say that the upcoming books look great (again!).
However 700+ pages on the g3-Kingsindian as a black repertoire with the 6…Nbd7 line frightens me. Of course it is already in the introduction stated that you cannot memorize these lines, but still , how to work with such a book, where to start, what to skip ?
Jacob mentioned some time ago that he would recommand memorizing the main lines (bold moves in GM-Repertoire), but even that seems a lot for only one of the main lines Kings Indian.
Maybe this is one of the future themes in the training blog, how to work with an opening book and how much to really memorize ?
@boki
I second that one Boki. I am sure that playing through from Ch 1 to the end has to be too obvious.
And the battle is on (“Blue corner” [a boxing reference] represents White, “Red corner” represents Black):
12 Rounds, 3 minutes a round, no low-blows!
In the blue corner – Avrukh
In the red corner – Kotronias
And the second battle of the double-header:
In the blue corner – Mongoose Press (Wojo’s Weapons – Volume 2)
In the red corner – Quality Chess (KID – Fianchetto Systems)
Who will win these fights? Stay Tuned! 🙂
@Peterm
I totally agree with you – I never follow just one book / author. But the Vaganian gambit fully fith my style, which is aggressive and aiming for the initiative ‘at all costs’. That’s why in this particular case it does seem a good choice :-).
@Ray
I mean ‘ fits’ not ‘fith’
I noticed that GM15 by Berg (French non-Winawer) has been added to the Coming Soon section with Spring 2014 as release. Should be a good repertoire combined with the July release for GM14 and Playing the French. I like the cover of GM14/15 as they have the French flags. It would be appropriate to release the two French books on France’s national day, 14 July (Bastille Day).
Also “Late Summer” seems to be updated from July for the GM14/French/Rating books. A late summer sometimes means an Indian summer, which is summer weather in October/November. Although when I was in France last September, that was when there was summer weather…
I love you guys, but why on earth are you postponing for so long the most important books for us:
Berg: Grandmaster Repertoire 14 – The French Defence volume 1
Berg: Grandmaster Repertoire 15 – The French Defence volume 2
Ftacnik: Grandmaster Repertoire 6a – The Sicilian Defence
Ftacnik: Grandmaster Repertoire 6b – The Sicilian Defence
Playing 1.e4 vol2 – Asicilians and french .. is this going to be an anti sicilian repetoire like the rossolimo or is it just a typo?
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
Strong opinion there, huh?
Some of us (cough – myself, for example) find the French and Sicilian books to be at the absolute rock bottom of the list if sorted by importance. For a player that plays 1.Nf3, 1.d4, and 1.c4 as White and 1…d6, 1…g6 w/o 3…c5, and 1…g6 w/ 3…c5 as Black, mainly talking Pribyl, Modern, Sniper, Dzindzi Indian along with direct transpositions to the Philidor (thru 1…d6) and Accelerated Dragon (thru the Sniper), the French and Najdorf books are of zero importance.
The point is, let the guys be. When a book is ready to be published, it’s ready to be published. I appreciate the fact that these guys are willing to announce when they “intend” to release books, but I also know that anything can be delayed, whether it be a couple of months past when it was originally estimated to be, like GM Repertoire 5 was, or a number of years past the original approximation, like the King’s Gambit book.
I’d rather see a delayed product well written and proofread rather than a piece of garbage like the first edition of “Standard Chess Openings” published by Cardoza Publishing around the turn of the century.
These guys are working their butts off, and I just sent Jacob a positive comment about his book Grandmaster Preparation: Calculation along with my results from the 10 tests. These is the type of comments these guys need, not complaints about delays, or granular and literal definitions of what is meant by the word “Summer”. If people want to define Summer, Summer can also be from late December to late March as the Southern Hemisphere (Australia and most of Africa and South America) has Summer while North America, Europe, and Asia have Winter. Positive comments do more than just boost egos. If you know that your audience truly appreciates what you put out for them, it makes you feel good about what you’re doing, and it’s far easier to continue to succeed. If all you are going to do is complain about delays, and complain about errors as opposed to asking in a more civil way about whether something was left out, then all you end up doing is causing more stress for the publishers, and that will simply increase the anger and anxiety levels and these editors will be more likely to fail. Do you want that?
So again, let the guys do their work. Appreciate the fact that they at least allow you to have some idea what is “planned”, but don’t harass and complain when a book is delayed. It’s like finally getting a casual dress code at work (jeans and a t-shirt), and being the one person that abuses it and wears a tank top and Speedo.
The French and Sicilian books will be out when they are out. The book I’m looking forward to most in the list, aside from the Grandmaster Repertoire series, of course, is also delayed, as it was originally slated for April or May the first time it was announced, and now is slated for Autumn. But you know what? If Mr. Gormally needs another 2 years or more in order to get an excellent publication out to the press, by all means take that needed time rather than publishing some horrible slap-job piece of work.
While Everyman, New In Chess, Mongoose Press, Chess Stars, and Chess Evolution do all have their fair share of good books, and while I will admit that I also read books from the first three of these publishers along with Quality Chess and own a couple of books from the fourth one listed, the ratio of good books to bad books is significantly higher with Quality Chess than any of the other publishers listed above, and there’s a reason for that. I’m sure these guys would like to keep it that way!
Slight correction, in the 2nd to last paragragh, “Grandmaster Repertoire” should be “Grandmaster Preparation”.
What result did you achieve, and what’s your Elo?
@Ray
The Aveskulov book has a couple of chapters on the Vaganian gambit. I always try to use at least two books when I am studying an opening system too.
@Paul Lubson
typo 🙂
@John Johnson
Hi John, thanks – in the meantime I found out myself; I have it sitting on my bookshelf actually :-). Without meaning to advertise competitors’ products, it forms a nice addition to Avrukh’s and Alterman’s books.
@Jacob Aagaard
So is this the Vaganian gambit 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d5 6. cxd5 Bc5
?
And is it what QC would recommend against 3.Nf3? Which is pretty popular. Even 3.e3 I see sometimes but that does not need much analysis.
I do not own Alterman’s Gambit guide, and only need this one line. So I just thought I would ask if Nikos could include it in the next QC news letter, with omissions? Completing GM12…
Thanks!
🙂
Or I guess you can transpose to hedgehog like positions after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3…
@Michael Wilde
It is about 25% of the Alterman book, so no, we are not going to include it in the Newsletter. We cannot cover everything in a book and the fact that people at times play something else, is just a part of life.
@Jacob Aagaard
Did not know it was that amount…Will get the book eventually.
Thanks!
Kew it was a dumb request after I posted it, but not delete!
🙂
It’s been delayed another week…..
@tony
must be the holiday season… nothing to be worried about… only a major disaster can throw a spanner in the works now.
The release date is pushed back to 19th?
Tony, Ray, Paul,
Nothing could go wrong except the printer being very busy, and it taking about a month to print the books.
@John Shaw
Come on John…the time is arrived for you to admit that the book never existed… 😉
Ahhh….I see now, the date was changed to 19th on your coming soon page. Oh well, good things are worth waiting for….
Whenever we have put up dates, it has always been with the understanding; sometimes explicit, sometimes implicit, that there are things outside our control that can go wrong. In this case one of the printers did not live up to their promises. They have told us we will have the KG book in our warehouse the 19th, but I would not be terribly surprised if it slips another working day, and we do not have it will Monday the 22nd. Either way, we will get it out from there as soon as we can.
@Jacob Aagaard
Of course I’m joking…your willingness to share with your readers the plans for the future is admirable…nobody has the right to criticize you…if somebody doesn’t stand the wait of a few weeks or months to have a top notch product it means he doesn’t deserve it…
@garryk
Hear hear!
garryk: anyone has the right to criticize anyone else … your position is spurious and silly.
@Shurlock Ventriloquist
I don’t know if I should take your comment seriously…but just in case…no, you don’t have the right to criticize the editorial choices of a writer or an editor who voluntarily shares with you his plans and dates and then changes them in order to guarantee the quality of his product. If you criticize this fact then you don’t deserve those books. And if you don’t understand this then you don’t deserve my time either.
We are big boys; we can take any serious criticism and especially a bit of good natured banter.
And we do deserve that everyone deserves to read our books.
@Jacob Aagaard
🙂
Nobody knows when The King’s Gambit is ready for delivery?
Best regards Søren
@Jacob Aagaard
Ok…then you “big boys” can for sure explain why you accepted pre-orders for a book that was nowhere near the completion (and instead would have been delayed for YEARS) and why we shouldn’t think that some problematic variations – that caused the delay – have been concealed in the hundreds of pages in order to expedite the release of the book…
Nobody knows the exact day, including me. Depends when the printer is finished. I have asked for a guess or a prediction from the printer, but “we are going as fast as possible” is as specific as they will go.
@garryk
Sure. We screwed up. We have since changed the procedure. Obviously we have been learning the business and what goes wrong on the job. We don’t accept pre-orders far in advance anymore and we always reimbursed those asking for it.
Nothing is concealed in the book, but it does contain a lot of original analysis. Is it too big? The business person in me thinks so; the chess fan does not.
To whom it may concern,
are you introducing a comedy or a tragedy in chess concerning “The King’s Gambit” publishing date is my only question to you “Big Boys”.
It is all ridiculous. Shame on you Little Boys.
Wolfgang
@garryk
I see Jacob has already replied, but I will add my view anyway.
You are right – we should not have had it available for pre-order until we were sure the book would be finished soon. But the rest of your comment is paranoia run amok.
“why we shouldn’t think that some problematic variations – that caused the delay – have been concealed in the hundreds of pages in order to expedite the release of the book…”
Problematic variations did not cause the delay. The book being huge, and me being slow and busy with other work caused the delay. And hiding dodgy lines in the many hundreds of pages? Even by the internet standards of fake ex-World Champions, that’s nuts. The book is honest and open about the good and bad lines.
@John Shaw
:-). It’s a pity I switched from 1.e4 to 1.d4 some years ago, but I will by the book anyway if only for old times’ sake :-).
@Ray
If you find chess interesting, the KG book is simply fascinating. I bought 3000 copies so far ;-).
what are the variations recommended in Playing the French
I think 3 Nc3-Nf6 with Maccutheon or Be7
and 3 Nd2-c5
Time to make that big move to some form of digital products. I know you are worried about the commercial suicide that might trigger but you have app stores for mac & android awaiting you!
PS: Can’t wait to see the full 3.Bc4?! bust.
What is the status of the new gambit 1.d4, Nf6 2.Bg5, Ne4 3.Bf4, e5 according to Playing the Trompowsky?
@Jacob Aagaard
:-). I don’t doubt that fore a second. I’m looking forward to the diagrams with crazy positions – let alone the variations themselves :-).
I am still trying to guess how long the other volumes of the Kotronias King’s Indian books shall be given that the Fianchetto volume is 700 pages. Regardless, I anticipate spending my summer reading that book starting next week. I am still surprised that it is longer than Avrukh’s GM2.
> Franck Steenbekkers
> what are the variations recommended in Playing the French
> I think 3 Nc3-Nf6 with Maccutheon or Be7
> and 3 Nd2-c5
Personnally, I rather hope for the Winaver with the Winawer Poisoned Pawn Variation, as in the great William’s book, Nf6 vs. the Tarrasch and 5… Bd7 vs. the Advance. Also/or for the Berg works. 🙂
I am really looking forward to the July releases -esp the King’s Gambit (ordered a while ago), and the King’s Indian. Do you think the London Chess Centre will have the hardbacks on 27th June? Trying to work out whether to buy there when I’m passing or direct from you.
Also, I ordered my first “book” from the app Forward Chess the other day. Took forever to download, but apart from that I really liked the format (already owned the book in chessbase, kindle and actual physical format). Is it likely the book on the Tromp will make its way there relatively soon? Trying to decide whether to buy the book on release or wait for it to make its way there. Thanks for your answers and efforts in producing books I’m looking forward to reading.
@Paul
Hi Paul,
If all goes smoothly with shipping companies, the London Chess Centre should have the books by July 27th.
The Trompowsky is highly likely to be one of the first of our books in Forward Chess.
Buying in Forward Chess and “already owned the book in chessbase, kindle and actual physical format”. If you also buy the same book in hardcover AND paperback you will be our ideal customer.
@Blue Knight
It will be 3.Nc3 Nf6. The Winawer and Tarrasch with 3…Nf6 will be covered in Berg’s books. By the way, I was not that impressed by Williams’ book. Especially his recommendation in the Posioned Pawn. He recommends his own pet variation (something with …Nf5), which he admits is not sound. I think that’s silly, taking into account that there are more sound ways to play the Poisoned Pawn (though there are some people on this blog, whose names start with a P, who maintain it is busted anyway :-)).
The Winawer without the Poisoned Pawn is interesting too…surely there are players who play it without ever playing the Poisoned Pawn Variation.
@Ray
“which he admits is not sound” you say? Well, his very detailed analysis don’t show some real, or great, advantage for White… The only thing is after 13. Qxc3, “this seems to be the most testing for Black” (Williams) the best is to transpose back into main line theory with 13… Bd7. Other plan “does not have quite enough punch if White responds” perfectly, if he can 😉
And in the good line 13… Bd7, he gives 16… Na5!? (after 14. Rb1 O-O-O 15. Rg1! d4 16. Qd3) as the modern choice, and “the Black’s latest try”. And, at the time of the book (2011), “Perhaps White will find a route to an advantage, but in a practical game Black has excellent chances and 16 … Na5 currently looks to be in good health.”
By the way, in his conclusion Williams states: “I’m pleased to say that my favourite move, 12… Nf5, looks to be in good health, although after 13. Qxc3 I’m afraid that Black likely has to prepared to transpose to the main line after all.”
So, I don’t see where you see “which he admits is not sound”… OK after all you must transpose into the main line with 13… Bd7 after 13. Qxc3!, and what?
You talk about the Berg’s books? Great, probably I’ll buy them! 😀 Although this does there are more things to learn as they are quite tactical lines…
@John Shaw
John- thanks for your answer. Step forward your dream customer- when the London Chess Centre were offering the Marin hardbacks at a small discount, I bought despite owning the paperbacks.
The source of this extravagance? One J Aagaard with his Grandmaster Preparation series which introduced me to the hardback versions (though also my Marin books are well used). As Jacob has said the hardbacks are well worth the extra- be it the small amount versus your own retail price, or the larger amount versus the amazon price when eventually sold there.
@ the Quality Chess team, Mr Aagaard maybe.
What is the expected publication date of the Berg and Aagaard/Nitlis works on the French please? If I understood well, both will be release at the same time, right? In August, September, October, later?
Thank you very much by advance for your answer. 🙂