Playing 1.e4 update – our backs have broken

Hi Guys,

We have good and bad news. The good news is that we have a publication date for Playing 1.e4 – French and Sicilian Defences, the bad news is that we have been forced into making a decision we did not want to make. We really really really wanted this to be a single-volume companion to the first book. But physically it cannot be done. We currently have 1000+ Word pages to typeset. We know from experience that anything over 600 pages is way too big as a book. And with our recent decision to upgrade to 90 gram paper, this only becomes even more of a problem.

We have therefore made the decision to split the book and will end up with two books:

Playing 1.e4 – French Defence and Sicilian Sidelines

Playing 1.e4 – Sicilian Main Lines


Both books will be more than 400 printed pages. The splitting makes it possible for us to keep our standard 10.5 font size, to include variation indexes at the back of the book and in all other ways make no compromises on quality – no need to delete material that really should be in the book. We will be fined by some distributors for cancelling the original title and we know that some customers will be upset with us.

Nothing about this split pleases us, except that the book will be done. And we have a publication date: 23rd May 2018. For both volumes. It will incidentally also be the publication date for Jaan Ehlvest’s book Grandmaster Opening Preparation.

The final Playing 1.e4 books will be excellent, but the effort involved has been massive – far too much to be a rational business decision. John said at our editorial meeting: “Once we are done with this book, it no longer exists. We shall never ever talk about it again.

Looking at the European Championship, I noticed that the line we suggested against the Caro-Kann is alive and well.

276 thoughts on “Playing 1.e4 update – our backs have broken”

  1. “Once we are done with this book, it no longer exists. We shall never ever talk about it again.”

    Strange advertisement for a “Magnum opus”.

  2. @Thomas

    Not really an advertisement. More an honest admission that finishing these books has required a painful effort. The advert would be “The final Playing 1.e4 books will be excellent.” Which I also believe is true.

  3. Great news, and congratulations with this result! I don’t mind buying two books at all, they look nice on my book shelf 🙂 . And looking at Negi’s experience with the 3 volumes on the Sicilian, maybe 2 books (without resorting to sidelines) was an unrealistic target to begin with. Anyway, I sincerely hope that you they will sell very well!

  4. Great, but — wouldn’t it make much more sense to make a clean split, French in one book and Sicilian in another?

  5. When can we hope for any exerpts of the new books please? Also, are we nearing the 2018 pdf brochure?

    Thanks all.

    James

  6. The good new is great and the bad news doesn’t matter. I eagerly await these books, and will buy both as soon as they are available.

  7. Once again the QC team has done the right decision. I’ll reward this attitude buying both books. Thanks for your great work!

  8. Beware of not growing two heads the size of the first one 🙂
    Apart from that, a bundle offer would be a nice touch…

  9. The split is a perfectly understandable decision and I see no reason to critisize you for being rational.

    It´s the content that matters and for this I have high hopes since I like volume 1 very much.

  10. Presuming you will be using the original ISBN for one of the books, can you let us know the ISBN for the second book please?

    Thank you.

    James

  11. Not too surprised! John you can now rest in pieces. You’ve now completed 4 tour de forces but keeping on schedule hasn’t been your strongpoint. In the nicest way possible please keep writing but never announce a further book till you have sent it to the printers to avoid disappointment! Thanks for all the unseen editing for others’ books we haven’t fully appreciated

  12. I’m confused. If you chose the Scotch instead of the Spanish against 1…e5 why opt for the Open Sicilian (which I’m assuming is causing all the headaches) against 1…c5?

  13. @Alice Red
    Negi will be doing the Spanish in one of his books, so they probably didn’t want to duplicate work and space was a factor.

    Nothing wrong with the Open Sicilian as an option. You could choose Be2 against all of the B30-B90 lines and cut down on a lot of work (that is what Taylor did in his Everyman book) but I think this will be a cracker. Also, perhaps they felt they had some new insight into some of the existing theory there….

    There are so many other books on anti-sicilians. I think there will be a 1 e4 repertoire coming out from Everyman in a couple of months by Lakdawaka. It says he recommends Bb5 lines against the Sicilian. I’m sure it will be an interesting book.

    Thank you.

    James

  14. Should be my 93rd and 94th book at QC .
    What will be the 100th ?
    King’s Gambit 2 by John or 1.c4 c5 by Nikos ( which would be logical ) ? ?

  15. @Pinpon
    Perhaps spmething might catch your eye from the (as yet unpublished) 2018 brochure. It might be Negi 4 or 5! Or perhaps An Anti-Computer Repertoire in Black and White.

    James

  16. James2 :
    @Alice Red
    Negi will be doing the Spanish in one of his books, so they probably didn’t want to duplicate work and space was a factor.
    Nothing wrong with the Open Sicilian as an option. You could choose Be2 against all of the B30-B90 lines and cut down on a lot of work (that is what Taylor did in his Everyman book) but I think this will be a cracker. Also, perhaps they felt they had some new insight into some of the existing theory there….
    There are so many other books on anti-sicilians. I think there will be a 1 e4 repertoire coming out from Everyman in a couple of months by Lakdawaka. It says he recommends Bb5 lines against the Sicilian. I’m sure it will be an interesting book.
    Thank you.
    James

    You’re proving my point. Yes, Negi will write a book on the Spanish but that book is not out yet, but you know what is? His repertoire based on the Open Sicilian. And if space is a factor in the decision to ignore the Ruy it most certainly should also count when it comes to the Sicilian. As far as the number of books on anti-sicilians, that’s not an argument, there are many books on the Scotch too, and that didn’t stop GM Shaw to include it in his repertoire.

  17. Any indication where the sidelines vs main lines split lie?
    And how does it compare to Kotronias’ Anti Sicilian book?
    Know I will buy the mainline book but not sure if I need the other

    Thanks

  18. Fantastic to hear that these are coming out. Huzzah.
    Sound business sense to separate. Put an exclamation on that – a good move.
    Yes, aim for the best, but a) there are business decisions to be made and b) you all need to retain your sanity.
    As a keen player here who reads and tries to get better when time avails, thank you to your team for your conscientious efforts. Respect. I’ll be buying both in hard copy and on FC.

  19. Two questions:
    1. If the Word pages are 1,000+ doesn’t that translate into 2 500+ page books rather than 2 400+ page books?
    2. Now that Playing 1. e4 volume 1 has been out for two years, do you plan to update that volume for the rapidly changing theory?

    Congrats on nearing the end of this project.

    Question 2. was a joke in the hope you don’t ban me from your website.

  20. Hi Jacob, John and cohorts:

    A question: I see that you are not doing a softcover version of Under The Surface (at least not right now). That’s fine by me. What about a Forward Chess version? That’s actually my favorite format, and so I am hopeful. Keep up the great work!

  21. @ Alice Red

    I don’t understand – what’s wrong with combining the Scotch with the Open Sicilian? There are loads of people who play both. Essentially black is equal after both 1…e5 and 1…c5 so it seems to me it’s more a matter of personal taste whether to opt for the Scotch, the Ruy Lopez or the Italian, and the Open Sicilian, a Bb5 Sicilian or the Alapin.

  22. @Johnnyboy
    The sidelines are stuff like Pin Variation, Move 2 alternatives and so on. Already the four knights will be in the second book. The first book is 90% on the French.

  23. @SimonB
    We obviously love to sell the same book twice to as many customers as possible! Thank you. But really, the main reason for the split here was that a 850-900 page book is unmanageable in many many ways. John had big emotional reservations doing the split.

    Someone mentioned a bundle deal. The books will come to almost €80 for three, so maybe I can get John to make a special offer on them!? It is worth a try at least.

  24. @Pete Prochaska
    Yes, the book should be coming out on Forward Chess today. We follow the Amazon system which is that books that are only out in Hardback will be somewhat dearer in electronic format until the paperback comes out, when the price drops.

    Yes, we are desperately trying to move everyone on to hardback. There are a few reasons for this, mainly that we do not put hardbacks on Amazon and other discount websites: It gives us a chance to follow their system of wanting 6-9 months warning and gives the chess retailers a chance to stay in business. Also, we think this luxury format is what will make people enjoy our books the most and keep us in business long term.

  25. The split is good news for my back – I can take a single book with me without training for heavyweight championships before 😉

    And considering time and efforts John and the team spent it’s more than ok paying for 2 books …

  26. Jacob Aagaard :
    @Alice Red
    Because it is the only serious way to play. The Scotch is a serious opening, the Grand Prix Attack is not.

    Oh come on! You’re the best author in the chess community by far but this is disingenuous. You know very well I’m talking about the Rossolimo/Moscow or the Alapin, not the Grand Prix Attack. Anyway, the bigger issue, which you did not address, is the fact that there already is a 1.e4 repertoire series based on the Sicilian mainlines written by GM Negi. So now the obvious question is: how does this repertoire differ from that of Negi?

    1. I do not find my suggestion disingenuous. I find the Grand Prix on par with those other lines and would rather prepare this than those for myself. I could just as well have used them as examples, I used what attracted me most as an alternative. If you think it is a ridiculous line, fine, but I do not.

      There is hardly any overlap with Negi. He goes heavy with 6.Bg5 against the Najdorf, we go 6.f3. The same with the Classical. Dragon he goes 9.Bc4, we go 9.0-0-0 and so on. There is no point trying to sell the same product twice. Cheating your customers or lying to them is not a long term strategy and we do this for what we have always hoped would be a living, not as a way to cash in and run away.

      We definitely make mistakes and no doubt there will be mistakes in these books as well. But looking at a recent book from a competitor where positions where Black is lost by +4 are recommended as part of a repertoire, I feel good by comparison. This is of course an extreme case, but still…

  27. no problem with 2 books
    the other good news is that now QC team is ready to work on the remaining projects ( najdorf, taimanov, Elvest….)

  28. I thought the “Bad News” was going to be, “Unfortunately, John Shaw has taken on a new project to be entitled, ‘The Ruy Lopez – A Chess History of a Much Beloved Opening'”.

  29. Good news – 2 books which will be well worth buying. Somebody should buy John a drink after his Herculean efforts. On a different tack, any thoughts from the Quality team on the Candidates !?

  30. Great to see the latest digital books on forward chess, but the new price makes me think again purchasing as the alternative for slightly more is a marvelous hardcover with high quality paper. Pity, was always eager to buy both (in case of titb for example).

    1. As explained somewhere, we follow the Amazon formula for setting the digital price. The initial release of “Improvement” books is in 90% of the cases in Hardcover only. We generally want to nudge people on to that format, as we find it greatly superior. Also, we do not sell hardcover books through what we can call the standard book distribution network (bookshops and Amazon), so it gives the chess specialists a head start with new titles. Their continued existence is essential to our industry continuing, so this is how we do things. As the idea is not to push people onto Forward Chess through discounts, the price of the book follows the hardcover until the paperback is released, when we will lower it.

  31. I’m lost for words except to say, that after such a wait Vol. 2 better had contain the refutation of the French. I myself have been working hard on the Tarrasch Variation for White and failed to find an edge anywhere in the 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 Lines. Perhaps a last hope for White to extract a little something may lie hidden somewhere in the 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 lines. If all else fails there is always the Exchange French to fall back on, which although offering next to nothing usually frustrates the hell out of Frenchies who much prefer maneuvering in closed positions.

    By the way, when you announced May as the release date, you meant 2018 right?

  32. @ Jacob Aagaard

    For what it’s worth, you’re in the good company of Sveshnikov, who calls the Grand Prix one of the best anti-Sicilians. I’ve played some anti-Sicilians off and on, but I like the Open Sicilians much more since white is attacking. So I’m happy with QC’s choice 🙂 .

  33. Jacob Aagaard :
    I do not find my suggestion disingenuous. I find the Grand Prix on par with those other lines and would rather prepare this than those for myself. I could just as well have used them as examples, I used what attracted me most as an alternative. If you think it is a ridiculous line, fine, but I do not.
    There is hardly any overlap with Negi. He goes heavy with 6.Bg5 against the Najdorf, we go 6.f3. The same with the Classical. Dragon he goes 9.Bc4, we go 9.0-0-0 and so on. There is no point trying to sell the same product twice. Cheating your customers or lying to them is not a long term strategy and we do this for what we have always hoped would be a living, not as a way to cash in and run away.
    We definitely make mistakes and no doubt there will be mistakes in these books as well. But looking at a recent book from a competitor where positions where Black is lost by +4 are recommended as part of a repertoire, I feel good by comparison. This is of course an extreme case, but still…

    Really like this non-duplication of other QC book choices against the Sicilian so we can choose a type of repertoire we best suits our strengths or even mix and match with Negi but we really need an alternative to the Scotch from John’s book against 1.e4 e5 so we can do the same. Please tell us that Negi isn’t going to try and beat the 6 year wait…

  34. ….till we get his next tome and that there hasn’t been a change of heart and god forbid he has put his career first…

  35. Jacob Aagaard :
    As explained somewhere, we follow the Amazon formula for setting the digital price. The initial release of “Improvement” books is in 90% of the cases in Hardcover only. We generally want to nudge people on to that format, as we find it greatly superior. Also, we do not sell hardcover books through what we can call the standard book distribution network (bookshops and Amazon), so it gives the chess specialists a head start with new titles. Their continued existence is essential to our industry continuing, so this is how we do things. As the idea is not to push people onto Forward Chess through discounts, the price of the book follows the hardcover until the paperback is released, when we will lower it.

    Sorry, I’d like to make sure I understand this. Most of your titles will be coming out in hardcover? These won’t be available through amazon. Have I got that right?

    This is significant for some regions of the world. Living in Montreal, I don’t have ready access to a specialist shop that carries your books. I can order them from outside the country, but with the US exchange rate and the crazy shipping costs, they are prohibitively expensive. Is the plan to have them come out in paperback down the road – assuming HC sales justify it?

  36. @Neil Sullivan

    For opening theory books, our plan is to publish paperbacks and hardcovers at the same time.

    For books that are not about opening theory, we will usually plan to publish in hardcover only first, generally followed by a paperback version 6 months or more later.

    “Living in Montreal, I don’t have ready access to a specialist shop that carries your books.”

    Chess ‘n Math in Canada generally have our books. At least they did as of a few months ago. Are they not convenient for you?

  37. John Shaw :
    @Neil Sullivan
    For opening theory books, our plan is to publish paperbacks and hardcovers at the same time.
    For books that are not about opening theory, we will usually plan to publish in hardcover only first, generally followed by a paperback version 6 months or more later.
    “Living in Montreal, I don’t have ready access to a specialist shop that carries your books.”
    Chess ‘n Math in Canada generally have our books. At least they did as of a few months ago. Are they not convenient for you?

    While I have qualms about buying from that particular business, they are convenient. I haven’t seen QC books there the few times I have stopped in though.

  38. @ Neil Sullivan

    I agree with you on postage costs, you should try living in New Zealand…..A year or so back I wanted to buy a book through the USCF …..the postage they quoted was more expensive than I paid for a set of golf clubs I had sent via FedEx from the USA!

    Just got a quote for a book from the UK…the book was GBP18.99 the postage GBP 19.95, needless to say I didn’t buy it.

    Thank goodness QC are very supportive of customers with their postage charges …..

  39. @Michael
    Michael, I am not sure what the USCF postage costs are, but, I do know that from ordering direct from QC, the actual postage on the box is substantially greater than what QC has charged me. I have commented on here before they should charge me and or I will make it up to them. It is pretty ridiculous. But, it is easier for me to order direct from QC since I prefer the hardback books. Most places don’t carry them. I was at Sam’s lecture from the other thread and purchased his book then, so that saved QC postage on that book.

  40. @Ray
    We do not overcharge on postage in one region to subsidise postage to any other region. Postage rates vary depending on the size of the book(s) in question, but on average the cost to customers of 5/8 Euros for 1/2 books is significantly less than the amount we pay for postage within Europe.
    European customers may also benefit from free postage (not to mention a free book) when ordering three titles. So I would say we are more than fair to European customers as well.

  41. @Andrew Greet
    Andrew I did not intend to start any controversy here. QC is simply a great company. Best chess books ever, very fair with customers and responsive. Couldn’t ask for more. As a customer, my only concern is that we keep you in business so we can continue to have new product for many years to come.

    One of the posters mentioned in a thread they were coming up on 100 titles in their library from QC which is impressive. I am only at 55, 35 in hardback. Not sure I have enough time to get through all of them in the detail I would like over the next 10 years. But, I am glad that I have them and look forward to working through these books as well as many more in the future.

  42. Our postage policy is based on us making at least the same which we would do if selling through a normal shop, but not much more. I originally designed it a decade ago on the principle that there will be people all over the World who want to buy our books, but have no access to an outlet. I wanted us to make the same + a bit more to account for the time it takes to package the books, as we do from selling them to the shops.

    I see no reason to change our policy. It works for everyone I think. Of course it is a pity we cannot give customers outside the EU the same service as inside the EU, but it is not cost effective. However, with special offers, such as the Yusupov series, you can always contact us and we will work out how much extra the postage is and we will meet you there.

  43. LE BRUIT QUI COURT

    Dear Jacob other staff members,

    Many many thanks for lifting standards of chess books publishing to the sky!!!

    I’m very pleased with 1.e4 GM Guide cause I switched back to play 1.e4 after many years… thankfully to Shaw’s first book dealing with Scotch et al.

    I have no problem with 3 books in the series and the money is for no issue cause for the quality of the book we all expect I’m ready to pay 50 euros for each and every one 🙂

    Many thanks and special honor goes to Nikos – he is amateur just like myself but he has so strong working ethic and craziness for chess which makes him one of the best chess opening books authors.

    Just like Tony Rotella, Nikos is a driving force for Quality chess so I expect that Tony and Rotella write joint project on “GM Guide – Playing the Sicilian for Black with Kalashnikov” which definitely is destined to be a top-notch lifelong weapon for Black 🙂

    Again, congratulations and my deepest regards to the Quality Chess Team!

  44. What’s next in the horizon after the 1.e4 books, is it the QID or the Taimanov or something we are you to know about ?

  45. Hi all,

    I just wanted to ask is 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 g6 will be met with 3 d4 looking to a transposition to whatever is recommended against the Accelerated Dragon? It could be that 3 cxd4 is met by 4 Qxd4 or that even a different 3rd white move is used.

    I think though, that it will be 3 d4 looking to transpose to the Accelerated Dragon line, and I think that line will be the Maroczy Bind!

    Thank you.

    James

  46. Please Publish them; i cant wait any longer 🙂
    There Will be An offer for just two of The trilogy? Because many People (as me) Will already possess The first

  47. Any plans for an update on Marins trilogy on the English?
    I keep coming back to these masterpieces.
    It really is opening books about the opening, middlegame and endgames.

    I would love to see him write something on the Leningrad Dutch or the Classical Sicilian.

  48. @Jacob Aagaard

    Jacob, any reason why you don’t sell one book with only the french and the other with only sicilian? (Besides of the fact that it sells you two books for people who wants a white repertoire against 1…c5?)

  49. David :
    @Jacob Aagaard
    Jacob, any reason why you don’t sell one book with only the french and the other with only sicilian? (Besides of the fact that it sells you two books for people who wants a white repertoire against 1…c5?)

    Already asked by Remco in post #6 and answered by Ray in post #7.

    My two cents is the decision was made to keep the page count comparable across the three books. Lets hope that necks in addition to backs are not broken, resulting in four books. 🙂

  50. For some days I’ve been looking at Markos’ book now.
    I must say it really is an outstanding piece of work.
    Explaining complicated things in a simple way is an art, and the author succeeds in it.
    It looks at chess from angles I never found in a chess book before – and I have a lot.
    It’s probably suitable for different levels of players, everyone will find useful things in it.
    Great! Thank you!

  51. @ Thomas

    I agree – I also like the set-up with small chapters and a large variety of different topics. Probably Sadler in his review will say that there are ‘some nuggets of wisdom’ in there.

  52. Thomas :
    For some days I’ve been looking at Markos’ book now.
    I must say it really is an outstanding piece of work.
    Explaining complicated things in a simple way is an art, and the author succeeds in it.
    It looks at chess from angles I never found in a chess book before – and I have a lot.
    It’s probably suitable for different levels of players, everyone will find useful things in it.
    Great! Thank you!

    As I’m interested in buying the book as well, may I ask you if you feel that it helps your thinking process in your next games (in the sense of “ah, ok now I should think about this and that) or is it more like a book enrichening your chess knowledge in general (knights vs bishops, weak squares, etc.) which therefore indirectly helps you find good moves? I hope my question makes sense …

  53. @McBear
    Isn’t that the same? But even if there’s a difference, the book is useful for both.
    I haven’t finished it yet. But for example his ideas about the contact between pawns and pieces or his definition of weeknesses are new concepts which are really useful.

  54. Thomas :
    @McBear
    Isn’t that the same? But even if there’s a difference, the book is useful for both.
    I haven’t finished it yet. But for example his ideas about the contact between pawns and pieces or his definition of weeknesses are new concepts which are really useful.

    Sorry, maybe I did not make myself clear enough. I had something resembling a formula in mind which he may talk about, similar to the different steps good players carry out during the calculation process. But whether something like this is in the book or not, it sounds very interesting anyway. Thank you for sharing your impressions!

  55. Thomas :

    I agree too.
    I have read the chapter about comparison between 2 different openings and it was very instructive.
    The part of the book about computer chess is worth reading too.

  56. Hi Jacob,

    I know Avrukh’s GM Repertoire book 2A was released recently, but can we hope for the concluding book 2B in 2018?

    Thank you.

    James

  57. Jacob,

    There is word on another web site that QC will be publishing a book on the Elephant Gambit? If true, can you provide any details for the curious (e.g. do you consider it to be viable, at least at lower levels)?

  58. @Bill
    I don’t know about that. It would seem to go against the Quality Chess ethos and everything that has been published before…

    James

  59. Bill :
    Chesspub forum.

    Apologies. Sounds interesting.

    So we have a book on the Elephant Gambit, but still none on the Classical Sicilian ?

  60. Bill :
    Chesspub forum.

    Yes, one of the Authors has revealed it there. I know John Shaw mentioned in “Playing 1.e4 I” that the Elephant Gambit is not too bad, but I am surprised (and curious!) that it is worth a whole book.

  61. @Tom Tidom
    After looking at Playing 1.e4 I am quite surprised how decent it is. I’ve never faced it or played it so have no experience or knowledge but was interested to see that it is not so easy for White to get an edge and Blsvk gets plenty of counterplay.

    At club level it could be honed into a pretty decent weapon!

  62. April Fool’s surely. But it looks like your reader base has drifted from the “tired of bad positions? play the main lines!” motto.

  63. The Doctor :
    @Cowe
    Smith-Morra is hardly a main line is is objectively not much better than the Elephant Gambit!

    The Morra Gambit has been refuted as confirmed by some key correspondence games in the following line:

    1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 e6 5.Bc4 a6 6.Nf3 b5 7.Bb3 Nc6 8.0-0 Na5!

    Now White faces an uphill struggle to making a draw, and to date in praxis Black’s score is overwhelming. By the way this line is not mentioned by any Morra book including Esserman’s.

  64. The Elephant Gambit is at least better than its reputation and has never been treated seriously in Repertoire Books for White. In contrast the Latvian Gambit has seen much more press and is certainly no better.

    Curiously the Elephant is GM Mark Hebden’s weapon of choice in bullet chess on ICC at least it was the last time i checked.

    Whether the Elephant deserves a full book or not is moot, the point is that there is a huge market out there for Gambit play, after all there are still thriving websites devoted to the Blackmar Deimer Gambit, so a well researched tome on the Elephant with a few novelties thrown in will surely sell well.

    As an aside maybe QC could commission Monson to update his Belgrade Gambit treatise or Ginger GM to do something Spicy on it, as Ginger loves stuff like this and has has already expressed enthusiasm for the Gambit.

  65. @Cowe: when that motto was coined, Carlsen wasn’t world champion yet. Now we live in a time where the most recent World Championship saw the Trompovsky, the 5.Re1 Berlin, 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 and the 5.f3 Sicilian.

    Tired of getting bad positions? Play better! 🙂

  66. Topnotch :

    As an aside maybe QC could commission Monson to update his Belgrade Gambit treatise or Ginger GM to do something Spicy on it, as Ginger loves stuff like this and has has already expressed enthusiasm for the Gambit.

    While I really like to watch Ginger GM, he isn’t exactly known for complete research on the openings he writes about. He would need to be taken on a leash to do his homework and provide a product on QC’s standard.

  67. Andre :

    Topnotch :
    As an aside maybe QC could commission Monson to update his Belgrade Gambit treatise or Ginger GM to do something Spicy on it, as Ginger loves stuff like this and has has already expressed enthusiasm for the Gambit.

    While I really like to watch Ginger GM, he isn’t exactly known for complete research on the openings he writes about. He would need to be taken on a leash to do his homework and provide a product on QC’s standard.

    Can’t argue with you there.

  68. One more question about publishing schedule. What about third Gelfand’s book on technical decisions ? Is it still planned for 2018 ?

  69. I recently faced twice the 4 Knights symetrical english as anti-benoni system.
    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.Nc3 cd 5.Nd4 Nc6
    Aside the russian book from Baguirov ( 1989!) i didnt find any other reference book on that line – Is there any thing availiable or planed from QC or any other editor about this subject ?
    – the line is OK for white ? or for black ?

  70. @RYV

    Hilton & Ippolito advocate 6.Ndb5 in Wojo’s Weapons 3, and I believe that Cummings advocates 6.a3. Watson in Mastering the Chess Openings Volume 3 discusses these 2 moves plus also 6.g3. Pritchett in Play the English discusses both 6.a3 and 6.g3.

  71. @RYV
    I have a book on the Symmetrical English by Carsten Hansen published by Gambit from 2000. There is certainly a chapter on that line in the later chapters of that book. It is 18 years old now however, but that doesn’t mean it has diminished in relevance. I haven’t looked at it in years though.

    James

  72. Hi all at QC,

    I was wondering if there is any more information at this moment on Negi 5 please? I know he (and you) have been busy but it is 18 months now since we had Negi 4 in our hands.

    Thank you.

    James

  73. Jacob Aagaard :

    There is hardly any overlap with Negi. He goes heavy with 6.Bg5 against the Najdorf, we go 6.f3. The same with the Classical. Dragon he goes 9.Bc4, we go 9.0-0-0 and so on. There is no point trying to sell the same product twice.

    Hi Jacob
    Not trying to delay a much delayed book any more but just checking that some of the missing lines in Negi’s series have been filled in after reader feedback. If not I’m sure the blog would help out or others may have already pointed out omissions but if you are trying to avoid Negi’s lines and choose Maroczy Bind against the accelerated dragon that you have considered the 2…Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 move order as this was the most obvious omission to me in the Negi series. It seems an easy fix by playing Be3 when probably black will have to play Bg7 and get back to the Negi repertoire but if you are planning the maroczy you have been move ordered out of it. Similarly Negi omits 4…Qc7 in the move order above when after Nc3 probably e6 back to the Taimanov is best but maybe you have chosen a different line against the Taimanov. A bit of guidance on the 2…d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 line when an early 4…e6/…a6/…g6 is played- do we play Nc3/c4/play something else was also missing.there may be other move order niggles others are worried about. Not a criticism but would rather it was…

  74. Dear Jacob
    I am somewhat surprised to see your signature under the infamous Solozhenkin letter (https://www.chess.com/news/view/gm-solozhenkin-suspended-for-cheating-accusations-fellow-gms-protest). It contains inter alia the following statement: “Solozhenkin had expressed his opinion and produced arguments, but FIDE Ethics Commission deprived him of playing, coaching, working and being occupied with his favourite employment because of it.“
    From what I can see, Solozhenkin has clearly done more than just “expressed his opinion”. Instead of following the established procedures for suspected cheating, he has chosen to publicly name and shame a 13-year-old girl without proper evidence. In my eyes, such an approach is condemnable and indeed calls for some sanctioning by FIDE. Where will it lead to if Solozhenkin’s approach catches on in the chess world? Somewhat shockingly, some 50 grandmasters have decided to openly defend Solozhenkin in this matter and attack FIDE instead. Can you share your view on this or provide some additional information to help me understand why you signed the letter?
    Chris

  75. Yes think Jacob’s Facebook page a better place for this discussion. Jacob’s not sitting on the fence for sure but not strictly relevant to QC

  76. I retain the right to have private opinions. One of them is that the burden of proof should remain for all types of crimes. If we have a high burden for proving cheating, we should also have a high burden for proving that an accusation is false. This and other cases show that complaints about cheating are not treated with the impartial seriousness one could wish for and that simply establishing reasonable suspeciouns is a crime.

    If we want a game without cheating, the highest crime cannot be to talk about suspecious behaviour, but actual cheating. At the moment we have a situation where cheating is possible and suspecious behaviour protected. I have personally been cheated against six times that I know of. One where the cheater was later caught and five others where I worked it out. These five were benign; touched piece not moved and GMs helping idiots. Once the GMs were busy with their own games I made a great comeback btw.

    I never complained, because like most people I am worried of being treated with social contempt like those who have actually come out against suspecious behaviour. And as with this case. However, cheating is real and cheaters are always deeply indignant when found out. In chess and life in general. They deny till the end. Surprisingly they have no shame and live off the morality of the rest of it.

    I do not have a public opinion about the content of this case and would not come with assertions online. However, I do not feel that the accusation…

  77. In other news I am in Bangkok Airport on my way home from a working holiday. Normal broadcasting will resume over the next few days when I get a laptop again!

  78. Jacob Aagaard :
    I retain the right to have private opinions. One of them is that the burden of proof should remain for all types of crimes. If we have a high burden for proving cheating, we should also have a high burden for proving that an accusation is false.

    Thanks Jacob for taking the time to answer my question, even when on vacation. I appreciate that. And of course you have the right to have private opinions, I think nobody will deny that. I happen to believe that your quoted statement above is fundamentally flawed and even dangerous for civilized societies. If we as a society grant unproven accusations the same legal (and moral) protection as the presumption of innocence, we give up one on one of the most fundamental principles of justice and human interaction.
    Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat. I would definitely not want to live in a society that renounces that principle and, though no fan of current FIDE at all, I dearly hope that FIDE will uphold that principle also in the world of chess. That does not prevent me from supporting your call for stronger anti-cheating measures in chess tournaments.

  79. I’m very happy when we live in a world of differing opinions but there are also laws so please be very careful that what you say on this website isn’t libellous or you may face the consequences. Not sure about Scottish laws but in most of the UK the burden of proof is on you to prove it rather than anyone to disprove if you accuse someone of cheating. I’m not sure what the laws are in Russia and I presume FIDE have the added complication of trying to balance a whole host of different laws across their many members. Whether the current process is sufficiently rigorous is a separate argument but there has to be due process through the arbiter at the particular tournament/FIDE ethics after that- if not it turns into a disaster like this- I’m afraid Solozhenkin and anyone else who subsequently decides to conduct his own kangaroo court only have themselves to blame if there is a protest from the accuser and you can’t back it up in court.

  80. Come on @Johnnyboy. Both of us obviously disagree with Jacob here. But he is absolutely entitled to present his view (and also to sign the Solozhenkin letter) without being threatened by some ominous libel charge.

  81. So did she cheat or not? and presuming it could be proven that she did cheat then what should the appropriate punishment be.

    This cheating stuff continues to be annoying.

  82. I think it’s very difficult to prove that one didn’t cheat… I agree the burden of proof should normally on the side making the accusation It’s one of the basic principles of a civil society.

  83. @Chris
    Please read what I wrote. Was not threatening anyone but Solozhenkin put his thoughts on a website and is getting sued.and the same could happen here on the qc blog page. Jacob seems to be quite sensibly not naming any names. His signing of the letter is not at all libellous as he is asking for the punishment to be rescinded nothing at all contraversial there even if others may disagree with him doing so. Personally I think they may have got the punishment about right but I’m not going to get into an argument why I think so with very limited information I just I hope the committee look at the full facts not the number of opinions on either side of the argument.

  84. I see another publisher brings out an e4 book in May. The author takes the unorthodox approach in the introduction of stating he has rarely played e4……

  85. Hi Jacob,

    I do have GM Repertoire 6 The Najdorf by Ftacnik, which is a great book. However, I looked at that particular page in your books and I say that it says ‘Playing the Najdorf’ will be coming out in 2018.

    I just wanted to ask, will this include everything after 1 e4 c5 (like Ftacnik’s book did) or will it be just lines after 5…a6?

    Thank you.

    James

  86. @PaulH
    Looking at the excerpt I got the impression that I also could have written that book on a rainy afternoon. Maybe I’m not that experienced and would have taken the sunday morning too.

  87. I am obviously in a minority here, but I thought the idea was to have the GM Guides short and readable. I really liked Schandorff’s books and also bought Shaw’s on 1 e4. I guess I could start playing 1 e4 based on that book and some random sources I have, but there’s no way I can read through 440 pages of Sicilian theory for example. I hope you don’t mind this opinion, as I said, most people have no problem with this and I’m sure the books will be successful. It’s just that I will not buy them.

  88. @James2
    The Najdorf book seems to be written by an author who is struggling to come to grips with the project (maybe other commitments?). As it seems to be taking a ridiculous amount of time to write.

  89. @ Thomas
    Aren’t you being a bit harsh here? The ‘blurb’ says it’s written by ‘one of the world’s leading chess authors’, and besides it gives a complete repertoire with 1.e4 in less than 400 pages. What’s not to like 🙂

    @ Csaba
    I agree with you 440 pages of theory just on 1.e4 c5 doesn’t seem to fit to the basic concept of the GM Guides as e.g. embodied in Schandorff’s books on 1.d4. And don’t forget the 300 pages against the French too 🙂 . I will buy them anyway, but I do think there is some room in the market for less theory-dense books, e.g. in the past I really liked the “Easy guide to” series. Jacob even wrote one of the books in this series, on the Panov attack. These were a nice combination of verbal explanation of the key ideas, and the essential lines. Another format I like is Chess-stars with their combination of chapters on the essential line and more detailed chapters.

  90. @Ray
    It’s ridiculous to recommend a line like 6.Be3 in the Caro-Kann and then cover it in less than half a page, simply stating that you have to be prepared being two pawns down. Prepared? How?

    If the late Tony Miles was still alive I’d imagine his short review on such a book.

  91. I think Lakdawala has done some acceptable books. The only thing for me is sometimes he takes 10 sentences to write a 3 world sentence and the embroidery with the vocab is sometimes like wading through treacle.

    Another thing is that I don’t think that book is aimed at the same level as QC’s ‘Playing The…xxxx’ books, let alone Grandmaster Repertoire books. You can’t compare apples and pears, especially if the person who made the pear didn’t want to try to make an apple!

    James

  92. @james2
    No problem doing an opening book for players of lower level.
    But then you shouldn’t give mega sharp lines without clear advice what to do next.

  93. @ Thomas 🙂 You got me – I confess I bought a new house with an extra room for the complete works of Lakdawala.

  94. Skating past most of the stuff here.

    I say this 1.e4 book too. I do think you can do a 1.e4 book in 400 pages. It will have to be really flat lines where Black is easily equal. Doing sharp lines like the one mentioned, where Black is equal too, just does not work on 400 pages.

    We wanted a two book series. It was not possible. We feel this is a failure, even if the final product is good. What we could not get ourselves to do is to recommend something that is entirely toothless, as this is not a book for 1200 and below, but 1200 and above…

  95. @ Jacob Aagaard

    I agree. For example in the book on ‘Ulf’s repertoire’ lines like the Exchange KID are recommended, and several other lines with early queen exchanges. I do think it’s a viable option for technically-inclined white players, but on the other hand I feel it’s making life a little bit to easy for black.

  96. @Ray
    And that’s the main problem I have with such books. First of all it makes the life easy for the Author.
    Is it really helpful for an improving player to play lines where his only aim is to grind down his opponent in equal endings? I think that’s the approach of an elderly IM who tries to keep up with younger players. You can go with it, but you’ll never learn how to play an attacking game from such a book. And you will have great difficulties switching style later.
    There’s only one Ulf. Cyrus doesn’t come close.

  97. I know Jacob dislikes the DVD format, but I think Danny Kings DVD’s from a few years ago are best “lightweight” e4 alternative (Giuoco Pianissimo, Sicilian Grand Prix, exchange vs Caro and French). Obviously not comparable to QCs book in terms of ambition or depth.

    On another note, Forward Chess recently released a PC based app. With two screens on my desktop I find it fantastic for working with QCs books and chessbase (though app is still a work in progress). On the back of how useful it is I bought Jacob’s GM prep series in F.C. (already had the hardbacks). When the e4 books come out, I will for sure buy the F.C. version. In fact, the only physical books I can envisage buying in future are QC hardbacks!

  98. Forward chess for PC?? That’s new to me. Could you please tell us where to find it (I cannot see it on the FC website)?

  99. @Tygrysek
    I think you can get an endroid emulator (like Bluestacks) for your desktop, download the app through the emulator and away you go. I haven’t tried it myself but imagine it would work.

    James

  100. @Tygrysek
    No there is dedicated PC app now (not sure if it is still beta). The link was in one of their newsletters……I’m sure if you email them they will help out.

    Early days, with some glitches (as to be expected) – but I find a VERY useful product.

  101. Still beta, for Windows and MacOS, but getting close to official release.
    Email us at info at forwardchess.com if you want to get a peek now.

  102. An E4 repertoire could be done in 400 pages. The name, you ask? “Tired of bad lines? Try the first 8 moves of the main lines!”

  103. @mn
    The first book will upload next week together with the Ehlvest book. The other briefly thereafter. Samples follow rapidly to this.

  104. James2 :
    I think Lakdawala has done some acceptable books. The only thing for me is sometimes he takes 10 sentences to write a 3 world sentence and the embroidery with the vocab is sometimes like wading through treacle.
    Another thing is that I don’t think that book is aimed at the same level as QC’s ‘Playing The…xxxx’ books, let alone Grandmaster Repertoire books. You can’t compare apples and pears, especially if the person who made the pear didn’t want to try to make an apple!
    James

    If you think Lakdawala is verbose then you haven’t suffered through anything by Valeri Lilov. 🙂

  105. Finally, for you, what are the best books in reference of the scandinavian opening and the bird opening
    Thanks for that too!

    webroker

  106. Is 1. e4 really that materially different than 1. d4? I really don’t know (never played 1 e4), but are there really no lines like the e3+Nge2 vs Nimzo and Sämisch vs KID that Schandorff recommended? Not the 100% main lines, but something a bit more stable and consistent across subvariations. And I definitely didn’t ask for a 400-page book on 1. e4, was just mentioning that this seems to go against the self-confessed spirit of “GM Guide”/”Playing …” .

    This is what Nikos wrote about the “GM Guides” (maybe some of this is particularly aimed at the GM Guide French book, but it sounds like it’s mostly his idea on the series):
    The puprose of the GM Guide series is to provide a sound repertoire for the club player.
    (…)
    We are recommending positions that are not very demanding in practice, that are positional in nature, no sharp counterattacks, no pawn races, no structural consesions (of course if this is possible!) and we explain why we choose a line over another as well as explain lots of things in general. In this sense, the book is very different from a GM Rep book which focouses on objectivity and deep analysis aimed to serve more ambitious players.
    (quote over)

    So 1200 pages is not focused on objectivity, deep analysis, and it’s not aimed to serve more ambitious players?

    Mind you, he wrote this about 5 years ago, so I don’t mind if QC changed their vision on the “Playing…”/”GM Guide” series, but it would have been nice if you had specifically…

  107. Who cares about whether the last book is one book or two? It will be great to hold the two books and to dig into them and learn about the recommendation. In the end, isn’t that what we want, not some esoterics as to whether it was done in one book or two? I am looking forward to the Negi last two books and also the last book in the Avrukh updated series.

  108. Once Korchnoi said of an opening; if you want to play like this, why study theory? With 1.e4 there really are far more lines; play is more direct many places. Our main thing is that we do not BS people. We needed to do this book in this way and now it will be out and people will be able to see that we tried really hard.

  109. @Csaba
    I do agree with you that it would possible to do it in less pages and still be somewhat ambitious. For example, Bb5(+) against the Sicilian (rather than the Open Sicilian) is not unambitious and played at the highest levels. Against the French however, I have my doubts. The Advance variation would cut down a lot of theory, but I think it’s not that good (at least I have a heavily postive score with black against it). On the other hand, the Tarrasch and 3.Nc3 are both very theoretical, because black has many sound options. I tackle this problem by playing the King’s Indian Attack against the French, but I admit this is equal if black knows what he is doing. ON the other hand, it’s easy to go wrong with black and with players like Moro and Bologan playing it regularly, it can’t be all that bad.

  110. It is easy to write a book where you recommend equality everywhere with White. We may do this, but it would be for beginners, not tournament players.

    There is an example, in the Najdorf, there is a variation where White has no advantage. So, to make it useful for the reader, we have included a lot of tries for White, giving you a chance to choose. This adds 20 pages to the book, but makes it a lot better book.

  111. Jacob Aagaard :
    It is easy to write a book where you recommend equality everywhere with White. We may do this, but it would be for beginners, not tournament players.
    There is an example, in the Najdorf, there is a variation where White has no advantage. So, to make it useful for the reader, we have included a lot of tries for White, giving you a chance to choose. This adds 20 pages to the book, but makes it a lot better book.

    Really like this idea. Rather than have one ultimate line you have some variety eg one might suit your style, type of opponent, tournament standing etc and you can choose. Bologan and Illingworth had 2 options but if there are more tries in a particular variation you might as well include them all. Who knows fully which way the winds of theory will blow- when all your eggs are in one theoretical basket then you can easily become obsolete or fall into a trap. back in the day I tried to play Nunn’s old 1990 beating the Sicilian lines but his najdorf and dragon line was completely busted very quickly and I soon gave up 2..d6 3. d4 in favour of Bb5 because of that

  112. PaulH :
    I see another publisher brings out an e4 book in May. The author takes the unorthodox approach in the introduction of stating he has rarely played e4……

    Christof Sielecki also has a book coming out this summer with a similar concept of providing an e4 repertoire that is solid, reliable and doesnt require a lot of memorisation.

  113. Clearly others are doing the “easy” 1.e4 books. Once again we will just do the things we are good at. Those who seek something else, will know where to go. So everyone should be happy 🙂

  114. Hey Jacob,
    I have another topic regarding repertoire books: Why isn’t there an repertoire outside, which concentrates on nearly forced draws or move repititions or perpetuals from the white side? Just imagine the following situation: it’s the ninth round of thd tournament, I’m an FM with the white pieces and have an Grandmaster one the black side. Draw would ensure the final IM norm. So I would like to force a draw with white (knowing, that in case I would offer it, my opponent would refuse). Is it possible to produce such an “Draw with White”-Book, for instance one with e4 and d4?
    Thanks in advance for your opinion and discussion.
    Paul

  115. You are good at GM Guides as well (which are much better done than any Starting Out book). I really liked Schandorff’s d4 books and Nikos’ e4 e5 book. I’m just disappointed that this particular GM Guide turned into a de facto GM Repertoire, is all. Sorry, I guess I’m repeating myself now.

  116. LE BRUIT QUI COURT

    Let me add just few sentences about the concept of GM Guide books on 1.e4…

    I’m strongly supporting Ray, Jacob and other fellow chess fans on this blog regarding format of mentioned books. There isn’t any stone unturned and everyone can choose which level of opening play he aspires.

    We, the ambitious ones, are striving for the ultimate 🙂

    Those of you who don’t want to learn theory, train hard, are eligible to skip to other books and authors whose gospel is “secret” placebo pill for becoming GM and expert opening theoretician 🙂

    The weakling should start with something like “A Cunning Chess Opening Repertoire for White” or “A Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for White” …… and if you have Lasker/Capablanca playing technique you might win some games 🙂

  117. @Csaba
    You can have your opinion. I think there second and third book are in the same spirit as the first, so I really cannot see that we have broken any promises or anything like that.

  118. @Csaba
    I understand you hoped for less pages. But I think 1.e4 is really a special case. Not for nothing Kornev wrote in the introduction of his (3-volume!) work on 1.d4 that 1.e4 is not suited for amateurs because of the large amount of theory involved. So I really think 3 volumes is not so bad given this basic fact. I prefer this over a toothless repertoire, and mind you, the idea is not to memorise everything! If you just stick to the bold-face moves you can cut down the workload significantly and still have an ambitious repertoire. Just give it a chance and have a look at it, I would say 🙂 . And compared to the 13-volume repertoire written by Khalifman everything else is a piece of cake.

  119. By the way, Negi needs 6 books, so also compared to this 3 volumes is not bad! If you can’t handle this I suggest you switch to 1.Nf3 🙂

  120. The GM Guide for e4 is about half the length of the GMR for e4 and the GM Guide for d4 is about half the length of the GMR for d4. I admire the quality of GMR books, but I love the GM Guides.

  121. I think anyone upset with to much detail must be upset with the costs. I see no other reason. We spent maybe 5000 man hours on these three books. Maybe more. You get it for less than €80. I charge €115 for private lessons (and I have no time to take on new students). If you do not want this amount of detail, ignore a lot of the detail. If you want to play harmless chess, look elsewhere.

    I never read all the details in an opening book personally, but I liked they were there when there were things I did not understand.

    My preparation suggestion is always to create a file for yourself of the bolded moves from the books you want to follow. The explanations you can look up if you do not understand something. If you remember the bold stuff, you are at GM level preparation already…

  122. > I think anyone upset with to much detail must be upset with the costs. I see no other reason.

    usefulness, readability. Overextending equal lines. Given the tremendous amount of work you put in your books, maybe you could instert review points for “this is becoming too bulky for what it’s worth”, reacting with “find simpler moves of equal merit” or “ask an expert of the other side for a quick assessment”. Surely you already do this and more, just a candid view.

  123. To clarify: I’m not upset at the costs at all. I agree that the pricing is 100% fair. I’m not even upset at all. Cowe expressed my main points better than I have. Thanks. And I’m not saying that you broke a promise or anything. I’m sure I’ll buy many more QC books, be they about openings or other things, just not these two.

  124. @Csaba
    I am sure you are not the only one not to buy these books :-). Everyone are welcome to their opinions. I am not saying our way of doing things is “right,” just that it is consistent with what we we would like to see ourselves.

  125. @jose
    Once the printer gets the books, they will tell us if we can keep the schedule. Currently I am in India for a training camp, so I guess I will put it up early May. But I will put up a few posts about books coming this year over the week.

  126. And thanks a lot for doing what you are doing! Huge fan of your work in general, and also thanks for being so open and responsive about things on the blog.

  127. @Paul
    I remember one strong GM saying that learning/knowing all forced lines to draw with white was a basic knowledge for titled players.
    He was also saying that there is no such line starting at move 1 !

  128. mn :
    That’s been out for about a month now, no?

    I dont think it is available yet as a book. I read that the book is coming out later in the summer. He does cover the same openings electronically as part of his package on another site.

  129. Probably not the correct place to post this, but will there be Revision and Exam books to compliment the blue and green book series soon?

  130. @James2
    Artur is very busy, but I had lunch with him a month ago and he was more positive than for a long time. I think eventually there will be one of each, but after doing the original nine books in three years, we should forgive him for slowing down.

  131. Mark :

    mn :
    That’s been out for about a month now, no?

    I dont think it is available yet as a book. I read that the book is coming out later in the summer. He does cover the same openings electronically as part of his package on another site.

    Ah, I didn’t realize there was going to be a physical book.

  132. The Sicilian Kan is surprisingly underrated, and there has been nothing thorough recently in Print or on DVD covering it. To my mind it would make for an excellent future QC repertoire project for Black.

  133. @Topnotch

    I wanted to adopt this defense (even bought a book on it) but then the Carlsen-Anand World Championship match happened. I was under the impression that the Kan had been under a cloud since then. None of Black’s options after 5.c4 seemed very appealing the last time I looked.

  134. @Topnotch
    The Flexible Sicilian is the most recent.

    We need QC to do a Najdorf or a Classical Sicilian book!

    (I know QC reckon a Najdorf book is on the cards but I’ll bet my mortgage it will not be done in 2018)

  135. @The Doctor

    I agree, a classical sicilian book is high om my wishlist too.
    A Najdorf book with an update on 6.Bg5, Nbd7 would be nice.

    The English according to Marin needs some improvements.
    The variaiton 1.c4, e6 2.g3, d5 3.Bg2, Nf6 4.Nf3, dxc4 5.Na3, Bxa3 6.bxa3 is not holding up for white. I suggest 5.Qa4+ or 5.0-0 instead.
    Also 1.c4, c6 2.g3, d5 3.Nf3, Nf6 4.Bg2, Bf5 5.cxd5, cxd5 6. Qb3 is answered with 6.-Nc6! 7.Qxb7, Bd7 with excellent compensation for black. 5.Qb3 or 5.b3 is better.

  136. @Phil Collins

    You have a point. Then the black players will be better prepared.

    By the way, a book on the hedgehog has not been written by QC.
    I know that Marin is an expert on the hedgehog.
    Shipov wrote two Amazing books on it, but these are not repertoire books.

    Maybe a whole black repertoire based on the hedgehog could be an idea:

    1.e4 Kan sicilian
    1.d4 Nimzo/QID with lines leading to hedgehog when possible
    1.Nf3 and 1.c4 English hedgehog

  137. Bebbe :
    @The Doctor
    I agree, a classical sicilian book is high om my wishlist too.
    A Najdorf book with an update on 6.Bg5, Nbd7 would be nice.
    The English according to Marin needs some improvements.
    The variaiton 1.c4, e6 2.g3, d5 3.Bg2, Nf6 4.Nf3, dxc4 5.Na3, Bxa3 6.bxa3 is not holding up for white. I suggest 5.Qa4+ or 5.0-0 instead.
    Also 1.c4, c6 2.g3, d5 3.Nf3, Nf6 4.Bg2, Bf5 5.cxd5, cxd5 6. Qb3 is answered with 6.-Nc6! 7.Qxb7, Bd7 with excellent compensation for black. 5.Qb3 or 5.b3 is better.

    Jacob

    Perhaps you could start a new subheading of ‘Readers’ suggestions of new Books’. it would give you as a publisher where the money is, helps us vent what we feel is missing in your catalogue and is all found in one handy place rather than this scattergun approach with suggestions in a number of different columns.

    For me the gaps in your catalogue are
    – for white-Italian , Spanish (negi to come I presume), non fianchetto d4 d5 or d4 Nf6 GM rep as alternative to Schandorff eg London system, non fianchetto english
    – for black- sicilian classical, sicilian ..e6 (taimanov in pipeline), getting in your line early book (great for blitz) eg alekhine, QGA against d4 or e4

  138. Someone awhile back suggested a compendium of Kramnik’s games, in the style of Karpov and Tal. I though that was a very good idea – Kramnik’s “own” (though presumably not really written by him) book must be almost 20 years old now.

  139. Seth :
    @Topnotch
    I wanted to adopt this defense (even bought a book on it) but then the Carlsen-Anand World Championship match happened. I was under the impression that the Kan had been under a cloud since then. None of Black’s options after 5.c4 seemed very appealing the last time I looked.

    Indeed that Carlsen vs Anand game had some impact, but the line that Anand chose was never popular to begin with and Black has other viable options he could try. Anyway I’ve recently begun to appreciate the Flexibility of the Kan, and have started to build a repertoire file with it, this means I have to expand my Anti-Sicilian lines for Black which were geared towards d6 systems like the Dragon and Najdorf now I need additional lines against rubbish like the Grand-Prix Attack, since I intend to meet 2.Nc3 with 2…e6 now, Luckily Simacek – Shirov (2015) looks like the basis of an excellent antidote to Gawain Jones published ananlysis.

    Curiously, Kotronias’ Anti-Sicilian book offered nothing for 2…e6 players vs the Grandprix.

  140. @Bebbe
    I played 1 c4 2 g3 for the last number of years. Unfortunately, I think it is time to move on. Jacob indicated somewhere in a thread there are no plans to update these books. I thought there was an indication a new Playing 1 c4 in a single volume was in the works. In addition to the lines that you mentioned as needing work.
    1. 1 c4 e5 2 g3 c6 3 d4 e4 White shouldn’t go anywhere near this line.
    2. 1 c4 c5 2 g3 Nc6 3 Bg2 g6 4 Nc3 Bg7 5 Nf3 d6 is more flexible for Black and not well covered in Vol 5
    3. In the reverse Botvinnik, Vol 5 Ch 4 line A2, 12…Nb6 instead of 12…Nde7 is good for Black. I have analyzed 13 Bxc6 forever.
    4. The Botvinnik with 6…c5 is equal. Black can try h5 before castling and then transpose back and may gain an edge. See Eckert – Bregadze I almost won this game against a strong IM, but, not because of the opening.
    5. I have a lot more of these.

  141. Let me add one more name to your wish list – Peter Leko! I know that Mr Aagaard finds his games particularly instructive (as he wrote in his first “Excelling…” book many years ago) and uses them often as exercises in his books. Besides Leko is a great annotator and currently doesn’t get that many invitations so he shoud have some free time… Well, maybe this can come true someday.

  142. @Tygrysek

    Indeed, Peter Leko has already written his book. As he revealed to Jan Gustafsson during the Grenke broadcast, it was completely done – but it is in his head and not set down on paper yet. Sadly, it did not sound like it was going to be set down on paper any time soon. But it sounded intriguing. He said the format was unique, as far as he knew. 🙂

  143. @Doug Eckert

    You are right that black equalizes in many more variations than the ones I mentioned.
    I will however not move on. I have banged my head against too many Nimzos and slavs
    so I will stick to the English according to Marin. Still there is chances to transpose to d4-openings. For instance 1.c4, g6 2.d4 or 1.c4, d6 2.Nc3, Nf6 3.d4.

    1. I agree
    2. This normally transposes to the Botvinnik or black plays 6.-Nf6 and White plays the standard plan a3, Rb1, b4.
    3. An improvement is nedded. The position is interresting.
    4. I am not sure about that

  144. @Bebbe
    I played 1 c4 2 g3 for the exact same reasons you cite. But, to progress, I need to play those other openings better. In 2. above, 6… Bf5 has scored well for Black in top level games. No need to rush with Nf6. On 4, there is some scope, but, I am not optimistic. I would love for a Marin update, but, I am guessing we are in the minority of people that have lived and died with this opening. Also, even though Black can equalize, maybe more against 4…dxc4 5 Na3, I will always play that position. I really had not had that position that often, then had it in back to back games against 2 GMs at the 2016 Chicago Open. Gained a large edge in both games which shows the positions are not easy to handle even for a GM. Sadly, I robbed caissa by taking a draw when I should press in the first game and then blundered a huge edge into a loss when I was on the cusp of potentially gaining my first IM norm. Since then, my rating has plummeted. Sinning against Caissa carries a high price.

  145. @DougEckert

    I have tried to for 30 years to get some degen against nimzo and slav. I think some of the critical slav are played out now. My latent try against the Nimzo was 4.f3. Although I has quite good resultat it was not because of the opening. In two of my games I was losing but somehow won one of these and drew the other.

    6.- Bf5 seems like a solid choice for black. Although black probably equalizes there is still lots of play.

    5.Na3 is equal but a good practical weapon as you showed in your games against GMs.

    I intendent to try c4,g3 for a couple of years. The idea is to develope as a player. Maybe I will come to the same conclusion as you have.

  146. John Shaw :
    @Neil Sullivan
    For opening theory books, our plan is to publish paperbacks and hardcovers at the same time.
    For books that are not about opening theory, we will usually plan to publish in hardcover only first, generally followed by a paperback version 6 months or more later.
    “Living in Montreal, I don’t have ready access to a specialist shop that carries your books.”
    Chess ‘n Math in Canada generally have our books. At least they did as of a few months ago. Are they not convenient for you?

    CMA still hasn’t got the new Shankland book. The clerk just shrugged when I ask. Getting QC titles seems easier in India than in Canada. 🙂

  147. @Bebbe
    You can’t have it all. Chess = hard work… I’m quite glad nowadays white often plays umambitious openings. E.g. I recently played a couple of games against the London with Ntirlis’ repertoire, and it’s so easy for black. The plans are crystal clear, black is equal from move 2, and still has plenty of chances to win.

  148. @Ray

    I agree that chess is hard work, but it is also about being practical and to use the time for chess efficiently.

    In my opinion c4, g3 is not unambitios as long as white is well prepared and not plays it only as a system. Routine play is always unambitious. Whites aim after c4 followed by g3 is to get an edge. In most cases black has to work hard for equality. Besides there are many sharp and critical lines. Like the gambit lines in the anti slav and the anti queens gambit, the reversed dragon, the reversed rossolimo and different lines in which white castles queenside.

    London is less ambitious. With c4 white aims for the advantage. Moves like b3, f4, Nc3, c3, e3 do not.

  149. @Neil Sullivan
    If they ordered straight from us and paid up front they would have the books on release day with decent conditions. I think you need to squeeze them a bit on this. I think they are ordering only through our US distributor and they will not have this one before we do a paperback.

  150. @Jacob Aagaard
    I booked one way tickets for you. Btw, South Sudan is safer if you are going to do that. Trying to figure out which of the three Hungarian GMs living in St. Louis can best get this accomplished.

  151. @Doug Eckert
    Had to scroll back and look if it was a comment about Sam reaching 2700 in this event. If it was, I would be packing now. Looks as likely as not at this moment…

    For everyone else’s knowledge, I only ever spent time with Doug together with Sam. Desperately name dropping the next US Champion!

  152. @Bebbe
    I was reacting to your statement above “You are right that black equalizes in many more variations than the ones I mentioned”. But of course 1.c4 2.g3 is a legitimate opening choice if you don’t mind trying to outplay black from an equal position. I.m.o. several authors from the black side (Mikhalevski, Delchev) gave convincing lines against it. Being white, I wouldn’t like the lines where black gets a big pawn centre and space advantage with pawns on d5 and e4. But maybe it’s just a matter of taste.

  153. @Ray

    This is how I see it. As you said you cannot have it all.
    Against Delchevs recommendation 1.c4,e5 2.g3,c6 3.d4, e4 white has tried 4.d5 lately. I think there is still room for improvements for white in this variation. Also 4.c5 has been played by strong players with original play.

    Regarding the pawn center it is really a matter of taste. You seems like more of a classical player.
    Maybe you could try the hypermodern approach in some games and see the advantages of this approach.

  154. @Bebbe
    Thanks for your advice 🙂 . Actually I have tried both approaches – I also regularly play 1.Nf3, with mostly the King’s Indian Attack, and in the past I have also played the 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4. And with black I have played the Pirc a lot. But in the end indeed I prefer a more classical approach, especially with white, since I don’t like to have a space disadvantage with white. In my own experience, flank openings requires more accuracy, and I have suffered some heavy defeats against black players who new their theory.

  155. @Jacob Aagaard
    Best of luck to Sam and you today in the last round. He has played fantastic chess in an exceptionally strong field. There is not a single player in that field that is not capable of beating anyone else in the field. To get through undefeated is fantastic. Hope this does not place a jinx on it. Also, with that much of a “Giant Improvement” from writing a book, writing a second one must be better.

  156. Jacob Aagaard :
    @Neil Sullivan
    If they ordered straight from us and paid up front they would have the books on release day with decent conditions. I think you need to squeeze them a bit on this. I think they are ordering only through our US distributor and they will not have this one before we do a paperback.

    Oh well. I have ordered it directly from you. Turns out that is what I should have done from the start. I suppose I was trying to follow your suggested approach of supporting chess retailers. I’ll know better going forward.

  157. Not sure if this was asked before, but what does Berg recommend against Negi’s 15. Cg5 in the 7…0-0 8. Ad3 Cbc6 Winawer main line of his book ¿

  158. @Jacob Aagaard

    I have had zero success asking this retailer to do anything. They are extremely unresponsive. At one point they were accepting special orders requests from me. Took me 6 months to realize they never actually did anything with them! 🙂

  159. Jacob Aagaard :

    I never read all the details in an opening book personally, but I liked they were there when there were things I did not understand.
    My preparation suggestion is always to create a file for yourself of the bolded moves from the books you want to follow. The explanations you can look up if you do not understand something. If you remember the bold stuff, you are at GM level preparation already…

    Agree you can’t learn everything and the bolded text is the basics but whatever happened to the ECO style overview we had backin the day with marin’s Open Games and Spanish Repertoire? I support your current layout of books but an ECo style page at the end of the chapter would really consolidate the mainlines. Instead of the usual superscript notes you can use the relevant subline this is following in the main text eg C221 so you can quickly refer to the main text for more information. Having all the main tries on one page helps you better see the ramifications when you or your opponent make choices . For instance you can see if you play move x that your opponent has 3 main choices , 2 equal but one leads to forced perpetual whereas move y has 2 choices both unclear. If you are playing for a win its quick to see you need to choose y but if happy with a draw then x is fine. Without that eco table you can’t see the forest for the trees. Sitting…

  160. I see Playing 1 e4 has been delayed another week ?

    Hope it will only be one and not turn into two then three etc

  161. The Doctor :
    I see Playing 1 e4 has been delayed another week
    Hope it will only be one and not turn into two then three etc

    and lost a few pages on the way as well. I can live with early June though my summer holidays start July 1st- that is too late!

  162. Hello, I really like your books John Shaw and your analysis against the Najdorf almost convinced me to change my weapon against the Najdorf.
    I recently saw the game Carsen-MVL where MVL came with an interesting novelty.
    1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3 h5 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. Nd5 Bxd5 11. exd5 g6 12. Be2 Bg7 13. O-O a5!?
    I couldn’t find this move in the book and I think that it is a logical move because Black tries to build a blockade on the queenside.
    What do you think about this variation and can you already recommend something against it?

  163. @joflo
    After 14.a4 and later c3, White seems to have a solid grip on the light squares and some nice enduring things about his position, two bishops and a nice structure. Later comes b2-b4.

  164. The najdorf is a Very versatile opening. Sharp then unstable from a theorical point of view.
    A book on modern lines will hardly stay up to date more than few months or few weeks…if not already outdated at publication time.
    Maybe it is the major problem for QC team ?

  165. I don’t know if this is the correct place, but anybody waiting for a Najdorf book may have seen Everman chess have one coming out before Christmas called Opening Repertoire: The Najdorf by some lads called Doknjas.

    I won’t post a link, it is just a statement of fact. I personally think Lakdawala’s ‘Opening Repertoire’ books are highly superficial (I have read them), but they are likely to be aimed at a less, er….., discerning customer base than QC. Anyway, the two brothers may do a good job.

    I write this as I have seen comments about ‘Playing the Najdorf’ by QC and another book might stem the comments (or probably not!)

    James

  166. @James2

    Yeah saw it a couple of weeks ago!

    I actually think the Everyman ‘Opening Repertore’ series is pretty good!

    The Cummings book on the English is excellent as is the Open Zgsmescand Nimzo-Bogo book. I hope the Najdorf one is as good as those three!

  167. @The Doctor
    I agree with you that the Cummings book is good. The Nimzo one I haven’t read. Perhaps it is just the Lakdawala ones I didn’t like. 1 e4 and 1..c6. MAybe they aren’t so bad, it’s just I think there are some definite gaps or lines (and some critical lines at that) not covered.

    As an example, I don’t think Negi’s main recommendation against the Caro Kann is even given in Lakdawala (I don’t remember how far down the main line you have to go, but I think it isn’t there).

    It’s strange, as Lakdawala did an earlier book on the Caro Kann for Everyman which I actually really like!

    James

  168. James2 :
    . Anyway, the two brothers may do a good job.

    Hopefully so. Still I’m not quite sure if it’s a good idea to have a book on such an opening written by a 16 and a 19 year old with an average rating of below 2200.
    So if it’s not the playing strength nor the experience they might be good at working with the computer.

  169. Today, with combined help from databases and chess engines, everyone can write a book about any openings. So what makes the difference beetween a good book and a bad one ?

  170. RYV :
    Today, with combined help from databases and chess engines, everyone can write a book about any openings. So what makes the difference beetween a good book and a bad one ?

    There’s still a lot of work that can be done to differentiate between authors even given the massive amount of actual chess resources out there that help you make good opening choices: effort (number of hours put in), passion & enthusiasm, writing ability, facility with language, thoughtfulness about the content and structure of the book as a whole. The list goes on, and what I came up with still does not touch on the chess part. Even with previous books, engines, DBs, online content, etc, there is still quite a bit of skill required. For example, nowadays Black is mostly equal everywhere, so there are tons of options within each opening on the table for both sides. But when you’re White which equal do you choose, and vice-versa? As an opening author there’s a lot of practical judgment required in selecting the easiest equality for instance, or the most annoying tiny edge for White, etc.

    If you take Nikos for instance and compare him to the above list, you see he comes out with quite a high grade. I won’t waste the time coming up with a less successful counterpart! 😉

  171. Now The Woodpecker Method is avaible on chessable. I have a question about another chessable book: “1.e4: A Comprehensive White Repertoire”. What do you think about this e4 repertoire compared to Negis GM Rep and Shaws Playing e4. Its writtin by an amateur with about 2000 Elo.

  172. @Phil Collins
    I am happy to allow others to debate it here, but we are not going to debate other people’s book in general. We are happy with our own books, though we appreciate that you can always find reasonable points of criticism with any book.

  173. Topnotch :
    The Elephant Gambit is at least better than its reputation and has never been treated seriously in Repertoire Books for White. In contrast the Latvian Gambit has seen much more press and is certainly no better.
    Curiously the Elephant is GM Mark Hebden’s weapon of choice in bullet chess on ICC at least it was the last time i checked.
    Whether the Elephant deserves a full book or not is moot, the point is that there is a huge market out there for Gambit play, after all there are still thriving websites devoted to the Blackmar Deimer Gambit, so a well researched tome on the Elephant with a few novelties thrown in will surely sell well.
    As an aside maybe QC could commission Monson to update his Belgrade Gambit treatise or Ginger GM to do something Spicy on it, as Ginger loves stuff like this and has has already expressed enthusiasm for the Gambit.

    Wow, would love a commission to do an update to my Belgrade Gambit book!

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