I have been working on the 2016 leaflet today. We had a few things we needed to sort out before I was able to make a first draft. The final draft will come when we have the final covers (at least most of them) ready to attach. It will go to the printer together with a few books being finished at the moment.
Artur Yusupov’s 10th book in the Yusupov Chess School series, Revision & Exam is almost done. It is just indexes and a few illustrations at this point.
John Shaw’s Playing 1.e4 – Caro-Kann, 1…e5 and Minor Lines is being edited and a few chapters are being updated, as they were written about a year ago. This is mainly done and I will start typesetting the book today or tomorrow.
Razuvaev’s book Key Concepts of Gambit Play needs John to be available to check the language and writing. It will be finished very quickly, once John is available; which will be soon.
Kotronias is in action in Aeroflot Open in Moscow. His fourth book in the Kotronias on the King’s Indian series, Classical Systems is being proofread by Colin, who is near the end. Off to the printer with it any day now.
For those interested in German language books, we have finished the proofing of Dame am Brett, the third and final book in Judit Polgar’s series on her career. We also have an original book coming in German, Vom Schüler Zum Grossmeister, by Thomas Luther, which will be out later in the year as Luther’s Chess Reformation.
Other books in the works are 1.e4 vs. the Sicilian III by Negi, Beating Minor Openings by Mikhailevsky and GM Rep 1B – The Queen’s Gambit by Avrukh are all being edited at the moment. We will have them out in due course, which is over the next few months. We also have the final manuscript from Tibor Karolyi for Mikhail Tal’s Best Games 3 – The Invincible, waiting for editing. It will be done after the opening books, as they will grow old a bit quicker.
Personally I am working on the second Gelfand book, called Dynamic Decision Making in Chess, which is much more than halfway there. Hopefully we will be done this month, ready for John to edit it in the spring. I think we will put this book out in September, but it might change. But this is 95% certain at this moment. I am also working on a book provisionally called (tongue in cheek) King’s Indian Warfare by Ilya Smirin. This will be a how-to-play book that supplements Kotronias’ five book series perfectly, by maybe the most creative grandmaster alive. The material is fantastic. The book will need some editing, but it is simply a remarkable draft.
Further down the line we have Michael Roiz Grandmaster Repertoire – The Nimzo-Indian, where the first time author is working on the final chapters at the moment.
In the spring/summer we will have time to work on the second volume of Playing 1.e4, which I hope will be done by summer and Thinking Inside the Box, which I have worked on on/off for the last few years. I am honestly a bit overwhelmed with the difference between what I want the book to be and what the book actually is. But I expect to be able to write it non-stop from May/June, but also want to take a few weeks out to finish Chess from Scratch, which I have been working on for a few years as well.
Finally, we have a non-standard book called Chess Behind Bars, about how chess is used positively in the UK to make life better for criminals before reintroducing them to society. The author is Carl Portman, who has worked in this field for years and the book looks very interesting, though not yet finished.
Further down the line we are hoping for new books from Axel Smith, Mihail Marin, Esben Lund and Mauricio Flores Rios, the completion of Gelfand’s, Negi’s, Avrukh’s and Kotronias series. I have plans for more books personally and John has promised to never ever write or announce another book. Long term there is also a GM6B on the Najdorf coming, but we are not there yet where we want to promise it.
I know this publishing schedule does not have a date and title schema as usual and the reason is this: We do not want to commit today. We will commit to some dates soon, but not today. The above covers everything in the leaflet btw.
Looking forward to read chess behind bars. I work with social problems, mainly addiction and I have often thought about mixing in chess in the treatment. The importance of filling life with other things then just staying sober cannot be underestimated. Then add the bonus that many have problems with concentration its a must read for me. So a big thank you for publishing this book.
Wow, that’s a great line-up for this spring! I gues as usual I’ll end up buying all of them (except the German books). Great news also about Smirin – one of the readers of this blog guessed right!
Oh my goodness, tomorrow I’ll go and rob a bank.
Which lines are considered “Classical Systems” for Kotronias’ book?
That sounds great. Very excited about the additional KI book by Smirin!
Also curious about Chess Behind Bars.
Please make John reconsider, though;)
Wow, my wife can’t find out about my pay raise !
Having high expectations for Smirin’s book. I remember bumping into him in the streets of Jerusalem. He was his charming self, entertaining Nepomniatchi and Korobov.
He is definetely in that league of ultra-entertaining players. Jobava, Sutovsky, Khismatulin and Smirin all play by their own rules and have crossed the 2700 barrier.
I would hope there would be other how-to-play books on other important openings such as the Spanish and QGD.
I would guess stuff like:
Gligoric
Petrosian
Exchange
Makagonov
@Remco G
Excerpt time in a few weeks.
My guess would be everything with Nf3. And then the last volume will be on the Saemisch, Four Pawns and Averbakh. I’m looking forward to the lines against the Makagonov, since it seems quite difficult to obtain counterchances against that line, and it’s quite popular at the moment on GM level. Actually I’m playing it myself as white, so that also means some repair work to do…
@Jacob, I guess M. Rios’ new book will talk about chess structures ;-), but coud you tell us, if possible, what the new books of M.Marin and A.Smith will talk about? thanks!
@Ray
That last volume might be a heavyweight like the first one.
Saemisch, Averbakh, Four pawns, Ne2+Ng3, h3+Bg5(Be3), Bd3+Ne2,
plus some minor lines without e4 (Bg5, Bf4, e3).
Aagaard as usual. Books are ready, edited, done….I think nothing will come until summer to autumn. Over the years, think for example the books from John Shaw who are ready for years, the same outlook. This publishing schedule is nothing worth and make only angry.
@Ray
It is something like that, yes. I am not keeping you in the dark, just focusing on work…
@Fer
No
@Marc Barb
Get lost in the woods please, preferable with no phone reception 😉
Smirin on the Kingsindian is great news!
He really is a virtuoso on the subject.
Ray,
I agree that the Makagonov is one of the hardest lines for a KID-player to meet these days.
6.-e5 7.d5, Nh5 seems to be the current fashion.
@ Marc Barb
Can you substantiate your statement? I disagree – for the majority of books the publishing schedule is met – certainly for the coming 1-2 quarters. Of course there are exceptions, such as John’s books, but I think it’s wrong to call the whole idea of a publishing schedule worthless just because some books are delayed. Apart from that, I’m always interested to see which books we can expect – sooner or later they will be published and it’s nice to see what’s coming. I think it’s a creative process which can’t as easily be predicted as building a house. QC is always adding the disclaimer that the timings are provisional, so what’s the problem?
I like the books and if i get lost in the woods then with published books from quality chess. Waiting is not my thing and the books does always seems so near when aagaard published the schedule.
@Marc Barb
Dear Marc Barb,
personally if I should be lost in the wood without phone, all I would like in QC books and a chess board.
Thanks a lot for all the good work Jacob and QC team.
And many thanks to Jacob to let us know what we can expect in the near future.
QC rock !!
I fully agree – QC should be applauded for being so transparent 🙂
I’m really looking forward to buying a lot of QC books in the near future. By the way, Luther’s Chess Reformation is a really cool title 🙂
What Will be THE first published books?
@Franck steenbekkers
My bet is the Kotronias KID book
Please tell us, what will be the subject of Mauricio Flores next book?
@Jacob Aagaard
You already confirmed on another blog here Marin is working on Fischer-Spassky.
@Jacob Aagaard
In your publishing schedule i´m missing “Playing 1.e4 – Sicilian & French”. I know that´s a sensitive issue, but i think you should give us hope…
@PaulH
And sometihng else
@FM To Be
No comment beyond that I think no words have been written. We are simply in friendly talks.
@Manfred Brod
It is plausibly out this summer
@The Doctor
Sounds plausible
Ok, I think I just wet myself a little bit in excitement reading about King’s Indian Warfare and the next installment of the KID by Smirin and Kotronias respectively! Wow
Also Razu’s book and the Nimzo! Wow! What can I say! You guys are the best in industry!
Something about chess structures, you can be sure.
@StevenS: I switched to the King’s Indian a couple of years ago, one of the reasons was that entertaining books on it will continue to come out every few years forever, so this is good to see 🙂
@Remco G
We have done our bit after this year 🙂
It will be interesting to compare Smirins book with the Kotronias serie.
I am guessing that thay will cover different choices against some of the main variations.
Against Sämisch I think Smirin will cover 6.-Nc6 and Kotronias 6.-e5 or 6.-c5.
I think that against the Bayonnet attack Smirin will cover something else than Kotronias.
I have very high expectations for Smirins book. I think it will provide inspiration for many
KID-fighters and be both instructive and entertaining. There is nobody alive today with a better feeling for the Kingsindian.
Who says it will be an opening book? It could also be a book about Smirin’s games in the KID, with general strategic advice. Jacob said it will be a ‘how-to-play’ book, and that can mean a lot of things 🙂
Ray,
Yes, I think it is a book with Smirins best Kingsindian games.
And he has played a lot of games with 6.-Nc6 against the sämisch.
I do not think the opening phase will be left without comments.
Probably he will give both strategical and tactical advice.
It is important to know how he reasons when he use a particular
variation to create a “Kingsindian Warfare”.
Kotronias books on the KID are equally interesting from white ´side , allowing you to choose the system that suits you best
The book is indeed based on 49 great Smirin games and is about an approach to the opening much more than about opening theory (which is hardly mentioned).
Jacob,
Thanks for the info. Sounds very interesting indeed.
Ray,
It seem that you were right on this one. Hardly any opening theory.
@Bebbe
🙂 Good to be right for a change 🙂
“Personally I am working on the second Gelfand book, called Dynamic Decision Making in Chess”.
Nice. The first Gelfand book was a masterpeace.
I was especially interested in “Gelfans 6th Rule of Space Advantage”. It makes a lot of sense. However, it may not ably to many Yugoslav Dragon position where all black players have good memories when the knight starts to collect whites far advanced king side pawns. Then again there are always exceptions to the rules. But I am sure Gelfand wasnt referring to these kind of positions where the king is far from the far advanced pawns.
Will GM1B cover the 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Slav and the 3. e3 QGA?
@Bebbe I am sure Kasparov and Shirov amongst others perhaps Adams might have a few things to say about that not to mention Nunn and Short! I admire the enthusiasm though.
@Steven S.
Some other greatest KID connoiseurs alive are:
Kotronias, Radjabov, Nakamura, Ding Liren, Bologan. But other than that Smirin ihas the best feeling for the KID 🙂
@Ray
Grishuk, Bacrot.
@Kirill
Gallagher, Vigorito
Great list guys. I am sure there are others we are all leaving off.
@Ray
Kasimdzhanov, Dejan Bojkov, Gelfand (earlier), Kasparov.
Chigorin, Averbakh, Smyslov, Capablanca, Tal, Petrosian, Samisch, Alekhine, Spassky and Many others also had a great feel for KID positions!
What about: Mikhail Golubev; Igor Nataf; John Nunn; Fedorov; Cvitan: Socko; Spasov; Shirov; Milov; Maiwald; Vadim Milov etc. etc. etc
@Topnotch
You forgot Geller, Gufeld, Boleslavsky, Bronstein, Gligoric. 🙂
And of course Najdorf – how could we forget him?
Fischer, Robert James
@Anssi Manninen
Rules are like law of the land. Do not exceed the speed limit. However, if …. you can do it.
@ Quality Chess
Since the start of Quality Chess only one endgame book (Grandmaster Preparation – Endgame Play) was published. In comparison – how many Opening books were published in this time? Is there no room or interest on the market for endgame books?
There is also Learn from the Legends and Rook vs Two Minor Pieces.
I agree that it does seem a little odd when looking at their overall output, the small number of books which emphasize the endgame. But the endgame market seems pretty stuffed to me. I think it is much better that they have found some very solid niches between opening books, the Yusupov series, the Aagaard series, books on legends like Karpov and Tal, and books by legends like Polgar and Gelfand.
Many opinions on the KID-player with the best feeling.
Some more serious than others. Short has almost never played the KID.
Also Chigorin, Samisch, Capablanca, Cvitan, Socko, Spasov, Vigorito Dejan Bojkov and Maiwald seems rather odd.
I talked about players alive which rules out Chigorin, Samisch, Capablanca, Tal, Petrosian, Samisch, Alekhine, Fischer, Najdorf, Geller, Gufeld, Boleslavsky, Bronstein, Gligoric.
@Bebbe
While you are certainly entitled to your happy bubble of one “living” player who you think has the best “feel” for the KID whatever that means, I think most of the rest of us will be content to refer back to its’ greatest exponents, the players who made the very most impact and progress in the opening. Nothing odd about that at all. I like Smirin a lot but I’d take ANY world champion or top 20 top 30 player historical or alive over him any day of the week.
@Steven S.
If you want to be historical, Smirin is a Top 20 player. For example, World Number 13 in July 2001 with a rating of 2702. No idea if that was his highest ever world ranking.
I also disagree with your opinion, at least if I am understanding what you mean. When you say you would “take” other players, do you mean to write a book sharing their understanding of the King’s Indian? If so, I think that wildly underestimates the importance of experience and specialized knowledge.
Jacob, I notice your Basic Positional Ideas DVD is half price on the Chessbase website- does this complement your QC books eg Positional Play or is there no point in buying it if you have the books as it contains the same material?
Thanks
@John Shaw
In 1989 Otto Borik wrote a book “Kasparows Schacheröffnungen”. In this book he said Bottvinnik regarded Smirin as one of the top 5 talents in the ussr.
@Wayward son
I disagree with the statement that we have only published one endgame book. We publish improvement books and a lot of them have something on the endgame: including all of the Yusupov books, the Karpov and Tal books, Legends, Chess Lessons and more. Also there will be a technique book in the Gelfand series next year probably.
@Johnnyboy
It is of course a bit dated, but it should still be worth a watch. But remember that I have not thought about it for more than a decade. It has 50 decent exercises in it.
I don’t duplicate my material.
Also, one of the chapters includes his 2.5-1.5 score against Kramnik as black in the KID. I am happy to take Smirin as black in that comparison…
There’s no denying Smirin is a great connoisseur of the KID, i was just challenging Bebbe’s statement that Smirin has the greatest feeling for the KID of the GMs alive. For one thing, Kasparov definitely has a greater feeling of the KID than Smirin (though come to think of it, I’m not sure how I would measure this), and last time I heard, he’s still alive. So maybe we could limit the statement to the players still actively playing chess. But even then, it’s not totally clear to me why Smirin would have a greater feeling for the KID than e.g. Kotronias or Bologan. Anyway, it’s all rather academic, I do understand Bebbe’s enthusiasm 🙂
Two Qs:
– What books are left in the Kotronias KID-series after this classical systems? The Sämish has to be covered. Will Kotronias write a book on the off-beat systems like Botvinnik-setup or general English systems?
-What more books are intended for the Gelfand-series besides Dynamical and Positional? Technical, Practical?
On Smirin is the aim to write a book a bit like Gufeld’s Kings Indian.
Looking forward to seeing what he produces
When will an excerpt for the KID Classical Systems by Kotronias be out?
Stevens S.
We are talking about different things so I do not think there is much to argue about.
If we talk about the players who made the nost impact and progress I will chose:
Boleslavsky, Gligoric, Bronstein, Geller, Gufeld, Fischer, Kasparov
By the way, do you play the Kingsindian as black?
Ray,
Why do you think that Kasparov has better feel for the Kingsindian than Smirin?
Kasparov has not played the Kingsindian for over 15 years.
If you say that he had better Kingsindian feel when at his peak than Smirin has now
it makes more sense.
@ Bebbe
I can’t proof this, it’s just an opinion I have. How do you measure how much feeling a player has for the KID? And at what rate does this feeling fade away over time?
Ray,
Of course it is an opinion. So is mine. There is no way to measure or to prove it.
@Ray
He definitely has a better feeling than Bologan and Kotronias :-). Yeah, Kasparov was special, but in every respect. Sadly also writing for the competition…
@David
Technical in the Gelfand series. Volume 4&5 is all that remains of Kotronias on the KID.
@Bebbe
This week I presume. As always, it is when we send the book to the printer.
@ Jacob Aagaard
Yeah, I’m missing Kasparov. But I guess Smirin on the KID is a good second best 🙂
@Ray
The way Kasparov writes, I actually prefer Smirin’s book. But I guess this is very individual. To me these are the two biggest KID players. And this is a very recent assessment. The book is a blast!
Does Radjabov not plays the KID regularly?
Nakamura also has played the KID, but I think he does with mixed success.
Anyway I’m not saying this to diminish Smirin accomplishments, if Jacob says the book is a blast surely will be a blast.
On Smirin,
In one game he unleashed the following amazing rook sacrifice:
1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, g6 3.Nc3, Bg7 4.e4, d6 5.f3, 0-0 6.Be3, Nc6 7.Nge2, a6 8.Qd2, Rb8 9.h4, h5 10.Nc1, e5 11.d5, Nd4 12.Nb3, c5 13.dxc6, bxc6 14.Nxd4, exd4 15.Bxd4, Re8 16.Be2, d5 17.e5, c5!? 18.Bxc5, Nd7 19.Bd6, Nxe5!! 20.Bxb8, Nxc4 21.Qc1, Qa5
Black has good compensation.
@ Jacob Aagaard
Sounds exciting – surely a must-buy!
@Bebbe
This is in the notes. They agreed a draw there I think!
I am very excited by the Smirin book, should be amazing! Someone brought up Nataf earlier, and now that I think about it, he’d likely be a very entertaining and insightful author!
@TonyRo
I am sure he would be. But I think his secrets are all beholden to his employer (ask him, not me).
I noticed that Beating Minor Openings have been delayed again.
Kasparov on the KID > than Smirin if he could make it come to life. Obviously great knowledge, but making it come to life is very hard. Kasparov – Eckert 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 g6 3 e4 d6 4 d4 Bg7 5 f3 0-0 6 Be3 Nc6 7 Nge2 a6 8 Qd2 Rb8 9 h4 e5 10 d5 Na5 11 Ng3 c5 12 h5 Bd7 13 0-0-0 b5 14 Bd3?! bxc4 15 Bb1 Rb4 16 Qf2 Qb6 17 Rd2 Ne8 18 Nf1 Nc7 19 Qh4. Here I missed my opportunity to topple a legend or at least a future legend as this was prior to Garry becoming world champion. Black to play and win. It would make a good position for either positional chess or strategic decisions. Sadly, I played badly after this…
@Rasmonte
It has not. It will be ready before too long.
@Doug Eckert
Great position. Can I ask for all of the game moves, please.
@ Jacob Aagaard
Well, the expected release has been changed from spring to summer since last week. But anyway, I am delighted to hear that it will be ready before too long 🙂
Will the next volume of Kotronias on the KID also cover White´s alternatives after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 (mainly 8.Be3 and 8.dxe5)?
@Tom Tidom
And to add to this, I hope that in the final volume also 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 will be treated? White has the option to play Nd2 instead of Nc3, which is not without a drop of poison.
@Ray Many years ago i scored a nice win with Na3 instead of Nc3, still playing Be3 and Qd2, followed by Ne2-c3 and later Rc1, c5 and Nc4
@Rasmonte
OK, it was technically delayed with 4 weeks because Negi delivered Sicilian 3 and Andrew cannot do everything at once. But it is not much and the stuff is not going to go off…
I think end april there Will be new books published
@Jacob Aagaard
Can you tell us a month when you expect Negi’s Sicilian 3 to come out?
I didn’t know he was still working with Radja, now that he seems to be in a pseudo-retired or at least more family-driven state.
So no third volume on Tal?
@Michael Low
It is in the works. It is written.
@RB
May, I would guess.
To answer my own question ;-): As the table of content in the excerpt shows, both moves are covered.
As Tom Tidom just said, there is an excerpt available for Kotronias on the King’s Indian 4: Classical Systems.
http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/Kotronias_Classical_Systems-excerpt.pdf
@John Shaw
Great, I can’t wait to buy this book 🙂 . Thanks for putting a whole chapter in the excerpt – I like Kotronias’ recommendations against the Karpov variation!
Oh no – It’s taken me years to through Yusupov 1-8…. thought I only had one left to go! :-/
And your progress?
Hmmm… I’m not sure about ‘progress’ in the sense of my playing strength as I play competitively very rarely (and not at all in the last few years). But I think I understand more about the game from the books and would definitely recommend them highly.
@Jacob Aagaard any update on when @John Shaw’s book will be up for download on ForwardChess? Super excited for his work – Playing 1.e4 – Caro-Kann, 1…e5 and Minor Lines. Last we heard was that it was being typesetted. Thanks!
What is Negi doing after Silician 3? I heard at one point there will be only one more volume to the repertoire but I think it unlikely that everything else can be wrapped up in one volume. Will there be 1 (or maybe even 2) 1.e4 e5 volumes and then a third volume covering everything else? What will Negi tackle next?
@Abraham
We are just before typesetting; a lot is ready for it, some it not. Once this happens, the process is quite swift. And yes, it will be on ForwardChess.
@Dave T
Two more, six in total. It was planned to be five, but the Sicilian expanded.
If Roiz is doing a Nimzo book (and I’m very glad he is), will he also be doing a companion volume on the Queen’s Indian or Bogo? Basically, I’m hoping to get a “complete” repertoire when White goes 3.Nf3 or 3.g3, avoiding the Nimzo. Thanks.
@WallaceHoward: there is a book on the Modern Benoni?
Not really as he doesn’t cover anything other than 4.d5
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.e3/Nc3 not covered but after 4…d5 isn’t this in the Tarrasch book?
Not exactly : 5.cd Nd5 is Semi-Tarrasch and 4.Nc3 d5 5.cd ed ( cd4 is possible ) 6. Bg5 is considered pretty good for White @The Doctor
As Pinpon says, the line 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 is not good at all for Black, and that has been known for a long time. I also think Chessexplained had a video on this, but can’t find it right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZLg9CHSAFg
@Quality Chess:
Is Kotronias’ 4th volume on the KID the final book in the series, or will there be a 5th as mentioned earlier ?
@Alexander
They must cover the Four Pawns Attack and the Saemisch and all the offbeat lines too
@ The Doctor
I hope so, but I want to hear it from QC 🙂
@Alexander
There will be a 5th volume.
@Aagaard
\0/ hurrah, thanks for the quick reply ! Looking forward to many more great publications from your extraordinary house 🙂
Which is the best variation again the Grunfeld Exchange variation with 7.Bc4?
Currently 10.-Qc7 11.Rc1, b6 which was recomended by Avrukh seems the most popular.
A few years ago 10.-Na5 11.Bd3,b6 was very popular. Why has it lost in popularity?
I received Kotronias KID volume 4 last thursday and my impression so far is: absolutely brilliant again! I like the recommended variations, and Kotronias again gives a lot of good explanations. Can’t wait for the last volume in this already legendary series!
I completely agree with Ray.
Interestingly Kotronias choose to cover 7.Be3 c6 8.0-0 Na6 as an alternative option versus the Gligoric which transposes to a classical KID with …Na6 (7.0-0 Na6 8.Be3 and now the rare 8…c6 instead of the main move 8…Ng4). If a player is happy with Black after 7.0-0 Na6 8.Re1 this can be considered as an option demanding less preparation than 7.0-0 Nc6.
One point I’d like to add: I’m missing the variation 7.Bg5 in this book – I guess this will be treated in the final volume? It’s a smal remark and the line is nothing special, but I guess it can’t miss in a 5-volume work on the KID 🙂
Compared to other lines the coverage of the Averbakh variation is a little bit short.
But still I agree: another great volume.
Hi when will Luthers book be out in English?
Jacob,
I was wondering if the final volume in the KID will look at 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Bf4? This could be played on move five with 4. Nf3 as well. I have noticed an increase in popularity for this variation. Unless, I am mistaken, I do not see it in volume 4.
What Will be the next published chessbook of your firm?
@Franck steenbekkers
Let’s all guess
My bet is either Yusupov Revison & Exam or Negi III.
I’d wager it WON’T be John Shaw’s 🙂
I’m betting on Razuvaev, but I’m hoping for Negi.
Maybe bestijg the minor…
Tom Tidom,
I thought that 7.Be3 c6 8.0-0, exd4 equalizes for black rather easily.
Seems like 8.Qd2 or 8.d5 are more critical.
I am very curious about what Kotronias will recommend against the Sämisch.
@ Bebbe
I think I know what you’re hoping for: the classical variation with …e7-e5, including the line with the queen sacrifice.
Ray,
Yes that would be great!
I remember that you had some great analysis in this line that you shared
with us on the blog. Thank you again.
But I do not think this will happen.
I think it will be 6.-e5 7.d5, c6 or 6.-c5 which he has played himself.
I think that white is doing quite well in the sämisch at the moment and that it is real challenge to KID-players. I play it myself as White.
I have the two first books in the Kotronias on the KID series. The Mar del Plata 1 is something special. The book is packed with some of the most Amazing stuff I have seen.
Bebbe, I didn’t share any analysis on this line (must have been someone else) but I do remember an earlier discussion on this blog on this line. I agree the books on the Mar del Plata are amazing. The book on the fianchetto is also great, especially the last few chapters which also contain some amazing stuff.
I bet Kotronias will recommend 6…c5 against the Sämisch, which in my opinion is the best line for black and which he indeed has played himself.
@Ray
I agree but I’m hoping he’ll tecommend 6…e5
I´d rather not see 6…c5 recommended again against the Sämisch. If I remember correctly Vigorito was the only author in recent years going for something different. Even if it´s the best line objectively (I´m not saying it is) it´s time for something different.
Is anything wrong with 6…Nc6 as given by Vigorito?
I’m not a huge fan of 6…Nc6 to be honest having read the Vigorito books. Seems White has many ways to get a nice position, but I suppose it’s a matter of taste really. I have leaned towards 6…c5 and played Bologna’s recommendations, but I would like VK to try an d revive the old 6…e5 as played by Kasparov
Hey he might give two lines against the Saemisch!!!
@ The Doctor
I agree, I didn’t like Vigorito’s repertoire against the Sämisch at all. In a number of lines he gives, black has only a narrow path to a slight disadvantage. I.m.o. black is giving white too much space. Maybe the Westerinen variation (…Rb8 and …Re8) can be revived? I think the most recent serious analysis of that line is by Watson in the late 80ties or early 90ies 🙂 . I really hope Kotronias can revive the 6…e5 variation, but I sincerely doubt whether that’s really possible or just a dream.
@Tony B
Late autumn I think. It will be out in German for some time first.
The next book out will be Yusupov’s book. Then we have a few books coming quickly (1-2 months), being John’s 1.e4 book, Negi on Sicilian III, Razuvaev, King’s Indian Warfare and Avrukh 1B. These books are all relatively advanced in the production line. The issue is that Danny took a job in Berlin to be closer to his sweetheart. Long term it fits us well to be a man less, probably, but short term it will cause a bit of a bottleneck problem.
I will put a publishing schedule up in the near future.
@ Jacon Aagaard
Great, it will be a hot summer 🙂
@Jacob
Does this means that the first John’s book will be published before July/August and the second one later. Or does the two books will be published before July/August ?
Is there a excerpt on the way ?
Thanks for all your reply and efforts.
For various reasons I haven’t seen any chess book published between june and september. Unless QC says otherwise, we can probably infer that books not released by end May won’t be released until at least October.
@Grimsey
“Does this means that the first John’s book will be published before July/August and the second one later.”
That first sentence sounds about right.
No ‘Playing 1.e4’ excerpt just yet, but there is a Yusupov ‘Revision & Exam 1’ excerpt at the following link: http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/Revision&Exam1-excerpt.pdf
For a bonus point, name the player sitting behind Artur in the photo.
That no-books-in-Summer idea is not a policy we follow. So we will have books between June and September. As you can see from our complete list of published books at the link below, we often publish books in those months.
http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/published-books.htm
What is blacks best reply in the Najdorf after 6.Bg5, Nbd7 7.f4?
Ftacnic recommended 7.-Qc7.
I have seen that 7.- Qb6, 7.-e5 and 7.-g6 are playable.
Then there is also 7.-e6 transposing to the Gelfand variation.
Seems like the Polugaevsky variation is still playable.
Seems though after briefing through Negis analysis
that the best lines for white give White somewhat better play
with hardly any winning chances for black.
Jacob, John, Andrew
QC still have a gaping hole in their opening books-a WHITE repetoire against 1…e5 and especially a Spanish line- your competitors are no better- while there seem to be a plethora from the Black side eg Kaufman, Bologan but unless you want to play the exchange spanish, Andrew’s Ruy Lopez book on the Worrall seems to be the only choice and that’s almost 10 years old.
Are you in a position to say anything about Negi’s choice against 1…e5 yet? John has chosen to use the Scotch I know (when we get to see it) but all the QC books such as Marin, Ntirlis, Brunello, Mikhalevski etc are from the black point of view and I’m not quite ready to try the King’s Gambit yet. What I’d really like to learn is that Parimarjan has chosen to take on the Spanish? No need to know the details but please let it be 3. Bb5!
@Johnnyboy
I think it was already said at the beginning of Negi’s 1.e4 series that he will go for the Spanish. Some sort of gentelman’s agreement between him and QC team from what I recall.
Scotch in John’s book and Spanish in Negi. It was never a secret.
Are you planning to publish a new book on the Grunfeld in the near future (1-2 years).
The theory in the Grunfeld is developing very fast so I think there is a need for it.
@Bebbe
No immediate plans.
What is the best and most practical line against 7.Bc4 in the Grunfeld Exchange variation?
My choice would be 10.-Qc7 11.Rc1, b6 which seems rather easy to learn. The play is rather thematical. The counter e5 is quite common for black.
Jacob, Hedgehog
Many thanks for that clearing up. Any more details you are ready to divulge?
Without the need to give details, is Parimarjan going to take on the mainlines after 8.c3 or is he deviating sometime earlier than that (anti Marshall, Worrall, exchange etc)?
And as Sicilian 3 is nearly done is the next Negi tome in the pipeline the 1.e4 e5 volume or the one with Scandinaavian/Pirc/Modern/Alekhine etc. Negi seems very good at sticking to his timetable do do we have guesstimates for the release date of either of these?
Have to say as the owner of all 3 Negi titles they are fantastic. I’ve avoided Bg5 against the Sicilian before because of the Poisoned Pawn but I feel fully confident facing it after his great explanations and outlines of plans to follow even if it is ‘equal’ as far as Stockfish/Komodo are concerned. I quite agree that 0.00 does not necessarily mean drawn and I’d much rather be the white side of 0.00 if I follow his recommended lines
Keep it up Parimarjan! Though Nikos has set a high bar with his 1…e5 book it is Olympic Year and I’m sure Negi will sail over it….
Is the the Geller-Tolush gambit in the slav playable for White?
5.e4, b5 6.Be2 looks interesting with long-term compensation for White.
Besides it is not mentioned by Avrukh.
A funny line is 6.-b4 7.e5, bxc3 8.exf6, cxb2 9.fxg7, bxa1Q 8.gxh8Q.
What is happening here?
Johnnyboy,
I agree that the poisoned pawn starts to look a bit impractical for black. Had a look at Negis analysis on 6.-Nbd7. This is the line that I like most for black att the moment. It is flexible and gives black winning chances.
What about 5.Qc2 against the chebanenkoslav?
If 5.-dxc4 6.e4, b5 7.Be2 we have a similar position as is the Geller-Tolush.
White has interesting compensation.
Quick question: Is John Shaw’s “Playing 1.e4 – Caro-Kann, 1…e5 and Minor Lines” going to be out till end of May? I saw somewhere it was announced for the 30th of April. Really looking forward for this great piece of work. Thanks for your great work on all those fascinating books!
@Johnnyboy
If I remember correctly it was mentioned somewhere on this blog that Negi’s next volume will be on the minor openings and the last volume will be on 1.e4 e5.
@Bebbe
No.
How is John progressing his e4 books ?
@Andrew Brett
I guess a couple of weeks from finishing is always the right answer;) But I’m still eagerly waiting and have no doubt his books will rock.
@Hedgehog
You are wrong. Stay alert.
This post will keep me away from sleep tonight (altough the fact that I’m on a night shift can also have something to do with this).
The absolute tease!
https://www.facebook.com/jacob.aagaard.75/videos/1079468788778575/
Great news! Do you know when the excerpt will be uploaded to the site please?
That’s good to hear. What’s the ETP? ?
Looking forward to it immensely.
I hope the PDF excerpt shows the Qd6 Scandi, that is sure to push sales 🙂
Toppy
@ John Shaw
Next season I want to play a real white opening repertoire, which means only 1 d4 or 1 e4 are possible.
Are the “Playing 1 e4” worth the money?
Phil Collins,
What is wrong with 1.Nf3 or 1.c4?
1 Nf3 and 1 c4 are black openings.
@Phil Collins
? Really?
@ Phil Collins;
Maybe you meant they were ‘bad’ (in your eyes!) openings??
Only 1 e4 (Best by test (c) Bobby Fischer) and 1 d4 (“The System” by Hans Berliner) fight for the advantage!
@ Phil Collins
The idea of fighting for a (theoretical) advantage for white in the opening is so 2015 🙂 . In the recent Moscow tournament many if not most games were opened with 1.c4 or 1.Nf3, if I’m not mistaken. So the elite players seem to be past that.
The real question is: Is the second book ready in time for that? Our team matches start in september. Plus at least round about two months studying time and training games in the evenings for that book on french and sicilian.
When that book is not out early enough: Use some shortcut or start with some other books on these two major openings after 1.e4 ?
That was my question some time ago. I started to look at shortcuts and other maybe halfway fitting books after 1. e4. I went back to 1.d4 , but there i don`t like some stuff in John Watson`s repertoire book, which i used before. And also some shortcuts there were tried.
The right thing for me is 1. d4 followed by 2. c4 likely, where i have some experience in most openings and can change one by one. After that, i want to play active and not the catalan or Watson`s “strategic” stuff. So i ordered two books from quality, which look great after first sight. 🙂
Maybe i also will have a look at John`s book after christmas or so.
At least 1.e4 has the advantage that you can make independent choices against each of black tries (with some minor exceptions). You can pick any system against the Sicilian and French, and use the lines from the first 1.e4 book for the rest.
This is different from 1.d4 where you can’t mix and match repertoires as easily because move order concerns are important everywhere.
You can start 1. d4 with Tromp + Neo-London (Pert + Johnssen/Kovacevic). Against other things you play 1.e4 openings.
You can use Sam Collins book (A Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for White) for supplement.
I was eager to write: At least he is from Scottland, but he is an Irish International Master! 🙂
A Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for White: For the 1.e4 Repertoire.
@ Karl
With Negi’s final book on the Siclian coming out in June, i.m.o. his books and the first volume of John’s book together cover a complete repertoire with 1.e4.
For the Socoöian and French: Play according to Anand!
@Phil Collins
Sicilian
1.e4 according to Anand is heavily outdated, especially the earlier volumes such as those on the French. Why not use Negi on the French? It’s perfect!
5 books! I know how i much i do on chess. I would never finish with that amount of material! To be realistic, it would be a challenging task for me to get ready in time with that two books by John, even if they would be out now.
So my practical choice was to not wait any longer for something forthcoming. I purchased the two Lars Schandorffs Playing 1. d4 books. When i look at the variations index, there are enough overlaps with the repertoire in Watson’s book that i would play if i have a tournament game tomorrow afernoon. So i can change the completely unfitting parts during summer and then go on with the other stuff.
wow, you and i are thinking almost same. so what i need is a book against minor variations, like Alekhine, modern… do you have any advice? Seems like Shaw’s and Negi’s books for those openings wont be published earlier than a year.
Greet’s book? It’s gotta be the closest thing to a chess book version of the slang expression “brother from another mother”, right?
@Hilmi M
No, if I understood correctly Shaw’s voliume 1 will cover 1.e4 e5, 1.e4 c6 AND minor openings. Volume two will cover 1.e4 e6 and 1.e4 c5. So, you don’t need any other books!
“Chess players are offered a dynamic and aggressive positional repertoire for White with 1.e4. Built on main lines, this repertoire is possible to learn quickly and remember. This volume covers the Caro-Kann, 1…e5 and various minor openings. The repertoire will be completed by Playing 1.e4 – Sicilian & French.” I rest my case 🙂
Volume two will not be that long. Both books have been under way for a long time. Months and hopefully not that many.
Do Greet’s lines from Beating Unusual 1.e4 Defenses still hold up? For example, I remember him recommending 3.nf3 against the Scandamavian, is that still a healthy line for white?
When do you expect that volume 1 of Shaw’s 1. e4 book is completely ready?
Is “aggressive positional” an oxymoron?
@Ray
@David Goggins
I am going to rewrite that text, but not because I think “aggressive positional” contains any contradiction. Take the Advance Caro-Kann as an example. Certainly aggressive and ambitious, but also positional – seizing space, cramping Black’s pieces, and so on.
How about ‘solid tactical’?
While I agree that ‘aggressive positional’ can be a thing, I do not agree that the advance Caro is always such a thing. The Shirov variation is certainly not positional, is it?
I would define Negi’s repertoire (at least the first volume, which is the one I own, as aggressive positional. It won’t shy away from sacrificing pawns to get an attack going, but the attack will always have a strong positional foundation. So, which one is more aggressive and which one more slow of the two, Negi’s or Shaw’s?
I am trying to integrate the repertoire from Beating d4 Sidelines with a standard QGD declined repertoire and I am running into move order issues when white delays development of his dark squared bishop.
For example, a possible QGD opening sequence could be 1.d4 nf6 2. c4 e6 3. nf3 d5 4. nc3, which leads to a position with white pawns on c4/d4 and white knights on Nf3/Nc3, and with black pawns on e6/d5 and with a black knight on Nf6. Here I would think the normal QGD move would be 4…Be7, so that if 5. Bg5 is played we would be in normal QGD territory. But if I play 4…Be7, white can reply 5.e3 to get to a Colle-Zukertort outside the scope of the Beating d4 sidelines book. In the position I have been describing, I must play 4…b6 so that if 5.e3 then 5…Bb7 leads to chapter 17 of the book. 4…b6 seems potentially playable but after 5.Bg5 may bring us back to a QGD in which b6 was played too early.
Is there something I am missing here that could solve these move order issues to play both the QGD and the Beating D4 Sidelines Colle-Zukertort repertoire?
@Dave T
It is a direct draw, I think.
@pabstars
It is written and typeset, proof reading will take 1-2 weeks, then it goes to the printer. It is a big book, 624 pages or so.
@David Goggins
No
@Jacob Aagaard
Great!!
@Dave T
The “Colle Zukertort” you describe after 4…Be7 5.e3 is actually a known line of the “Old QGD” which transposes to some not-so-dangerous QID lines after 5…b6. The “Colle Zukertort” system is when White delays the c4 move and plays b3-Bb2-e3 quite early. I understand that this line might transpose to a C-Z a bit down the road (or better, the C-Z might transpose to a QID which makes more sense), but in any case, Black can play b6-Bb7-a6-c5 and have a fine position.
The idea of the Avrukh repertoire, is to meet the “not-early c4” lines with …c5 and …Nc6, but if White plays a quick c4 we are back to traditional QGD theory and not “anti” lines.
@JA
624 pages! It’s impressive. Do you know when the excerpt will be ready?
Any news about Michael Roiz Grandmaster Repertoire – The Nimzo-Indian?
@Vassilis
1-2 weeks
@Luís Bacelar
He is trying to finish the book before the is going to second Eljanov in a tournament at the end of May.
@Nikos
Thank you for your response it is very helpful.
I hope that if quality chess ever decides to do a QGD book for black, they will consider a chapter covering some of these non-main lines that can arise in a d4/c4 QGD formation. I understand they are not critical but a chapter does help a player like myself see example games and strategies. The QGD repertoire books I have seen cover Bg5, Bf4, and exchange systems (and sometimes Catalan) in depth but nothing else. Then the d4 sidelines books also don’t cover these systems because they include c4, which leaves club level players like myself searching multiple sources to piece together full coverage after 1.d4. It’s so much easier after 1.e4 when you can buy a three volume work on the the Sicilian or French and be set.
@Dave T
Good point
So quite soon then 2-3 months?
624 pages, hooooooly hell that’s a big book. Shaw goes big again! 😉
Looking Forward to this one!
@ Jacob:
Will Negi vs. Sicilan 3 and Razuwajew be published together with 1.e4?
@Dave T
Avrukh books cover all white sidelines (Colle,London,etc) after 1…Nf5 or 1…d5
I mean 1…Nf6
@Vassilis
I have read the relevant chapters (everything but g6 systems) from Avrukh’s beating d4 sidelines book, if that is what you are referring to.
I don’t have an issue with this book (it is good), but my point is that I get frustrated with finding books with coverage of offbeat systems with d4/c4 that are outside chapter 17 of Avurkh’s book and outside a typical QGD repertoire book. If quality chess makes a QGD book or series, I hope the combination of the QGD work(s) with Avrukh covers all possibilities after 1.d4. For example, I don’t want to see a QGD book that after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3. Nc3 nf6 4. Nf3 be7 5.e3 tells me that after white follows with b3 and bb2 to seek a colle-zukerfort or other book. As noted above, with my bishop at e7, I have been move-ordered out of the Avurkh repertoire in chapter 17.
I want a set of books comprehensive to respond to 1.d4. I am sure NID / QID players also have these same kind of issues. Can quality chess throw in a miscellaneous chapter such that between the roiz NID book, a future QID book, and Avurkh d4 sidelines everything is covered, including something like the seirwan attack? These offbeat systems May not be critical, but there is this coverage gap against 1.d4 that I find frustrating.
@The Doctor
I am hoping so. Roiz has a tendency to go ridiculously deep in his analysis. He is famous for it. So the book will be good, but maybe he is overdoing it a bit :-).
@Krokohol
Not exactly sure. We will finish a lot of books in the next 2 months (add 3-4 weeks for printing). These are among them for sure.
Is a new book about the Berlin Wall in sight or planned for the next years?
I wonder if the old one by John Cox is still theoretically fine.
The book by Cox is not a theoretical book for the most part. It looks at typical themes/endings etc and so would be incredibly useful for a prospective Berlin player.
That’s right but I heard the Mainline he looks at is Ne7 which is no longer seen as the best way to play for Black. Or at least it should give White a good chance to get an advantage. But I only heard that somewhere but it would make sense, since most Top GMs seem to go for Ke8 h5 or Bd7 Systems in recent years? Is this assumption right? But your pint is valid of course the biggest part of the book is still extremely useful, so there is no real need for an new book.