A quick short term publishing schedule

Hi guys, I am really busy working away on books, so I wanted to tell you what the next few publications are likely to be. This does not mean that other books have been forgotten. Negi and Shaw are still on the way, the QID is coming down the line, as are more Gelfand book and a lot of other interesting stuff, we would like to keep secret for a little bit.

This is just what we are looking to complete over the very near future.

Tibor Karolyi Mikhail Tal’s best games 3 – The Invincible 27 September 2017
Nikos Ntirlis Playing 1.d4 d5 – A Classical Repertoire 27 September 2017
Mihail Marin Grandmaster Repertoire – Pirc Autumn
Esben Lund Sharp Endgames Autumn
Jaan Ehlvest Opening Preparation Autumn
Axel Smith Woodpecker Autumn
David Llada The Thinkers Autumn
Boris Avrukh GM Repertoire 2A Autumn

Marin’s book on the Pirc is at the printer and Sharp Endgames by Lund will follow briefly. The Thinkers are going to print any moment and Andrew is moving swiftly through the editing of Avrukh’s latest 1.d4 book.

But I also wanted to take the time to tell you about two books that will come slightly later in the autumn; a book on opening preparation by former participant in the Candidates matches, Jaan Ehlvest, which is promising to be an interesting read, and a book for the more practically inclined, by Axel Smith on the Woodpecker Method. The final titles and covers have not been decided, but I would be surprised if we did not go with The Woodpecker Method

227 thoughts on “A quick short term publishing schedule”

  1. Hi Jacob, “The Thinkers”… I remeber Thinkers vs Doers from the Lars-Bo Hansen book. Does it has something to do with this concept or what is the meaning of it. Just thinking.

  2. Thanks for posting the excerpt, looks great – I’m very much looking forward to this book, being a Pirc player myself 🙂 . By the way, I noticed Marin recommends 5…c5 vs the Austrian Attack, so those who predicted 5…0-0 6.Nf3 Na6 were wrong 🙂 .

  3. @ Michael Yip:

    I guess you haven’t read “Pump up your rating”? The woodpecker method is about solving the same set of puzzles over and over again, the idea being to drill the patterns into your head.

  4. @Ray
    I guess the question is what kind of material Alex Smith is going to provide in his book on the Woodpecker Method. In that book if I remember correctly he said any puzzles would do.

    I dropped an entire rook last night. Haven’t done any tactical training for a while, used to do it daily. It really helps.

  5. What is the recommended line in the 4.Be3 variation of the Pirc book? An accelerated 4…c6, leaving the bishop on f8 for a while? And in the classical? 6…c6, and so on? Thank you very much.

  6. Can I write a repertoire book that includes in part some variations offered as repertoire of another book already published?

    Only main lines, not the same format (selected games,…).

  7. Pinpon :
    The Woodpecker Method . Good old WM !
    In tribute to Herbert Chapman ?!

    The method has been perfected by Hans Tikkanen , his name means woodpecker in Swedish.

  8. @ForwardChess
    While you are here if you were able to address in a future update the problem in iOS on iPhone that when you switch the engine off the display jumps to top of the page that would be great.

    Is there any advantage to the cloud functionality other than allows you to swap between android and iOS?

  9. @John Shaw
    I wonder what Marin plans after what probably is the most critical line of the entire book, Austrian after 5…c5 6. Ab5.

    My guess is that this publishes Wednesday 18 August. Would this be a close estimate?

  10. @PaulH
    Please contact us directly with general questions. We should probably limit this discussion on Quality Chess blog to the issues related to Quality Chess books ?

  11. @ Leon Trotsky

    The big disadvantage is that white has a forced draw in that line. I’m also interested to see what Marin will recommend against 6.cxd5 Qa5 7.Qd4, which is a tricky line recommended before by Greet.

  12. @Ray

    Black has the forced draw. And he can deviate. For example, with the nice move 6. … Nc6!?
    It would be interesting if he recommends this, since it is not very well explored. But maybe too risky for a GM rep.

  13. Hi all,

    Jacob said “Marin’s book on the Pirc is at the printer and Sharp Endgames by Lund will follow briefly”.

    What about an excerpt of Lund’s new book ?

  14. …..a book on opening preparation by former participant in the Candidates matches, Jaan Ehlvest, which is promising to be an interesting read,……

    well that sounds good. I hope this book will explained how to ( better) use all those excellent GM Rep. books ! really curious to see what it will talk about.

  15. LaurentF :
    Hi all,
    Jacob said “Marin’s book on the Pirc is at the printer and Sharp Endgames by Lund will follow briefly”.
    What about an excerpt of Lund’s new book ?

    I think it will be next week before a “Sharp Endgames” excerpt appears.

  16. I have no idea if the question fits in here but lets see 😀
    I am reading GM Rep 6 and 6a at the moment. And i can’t find the line 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd 4.Nxd Nf6 5. f3 in any of the mentioned books. Is this a hole or am I too blind? 😉

    Best regards, keep up the great work!

  17. Franck Steenbekkers :
    Why Did ntirlis recommend the kramnik approach and not the tartacower wich had a good and Health reputation

    I understand you well. TMB is great and fun to play, in my opinion the line to choose if you want to fight for more than equality.
    Resulting positions are complex and the player with better knowledge and understanding always has a chance to outplay his opponent.

    TMB is real classical chess 😀

  18. @Muffin
    Sergei Kasparov did a book on this ‘Steamrolling the sicilian’ so not a minor line- not sure why this was not classed as an anti sicilian in 6a as it is a clear attempt to avoid main lines at only move 5. Carlsen used it to succcessfully shut out Karjakin in their final tie break game

  19. I think nothing new has happened in the Tartakower for the past 100 years. I.m.o. it’s great that Nikos recommends something fresh – besides, you can do worse than playing a variation endorsed by Kramnik, especially with black.

  20. Re TMB, IM John Cox wrote a repertoire book (declining QG) for another publisher recommending Tartakower and the Lasker. IM Cox is an excellent writer having also written the Berlin book and the older meeting 1 d4 deviations openings book.

  21. @Johnnyboy
    Hi Johnny,

    Yes, this is maybe the biggest mistake we have ever made. Mainly because it was made twice, by the same editor, first in GM6, then in 6a. People in Glasgow can still hear my shouting in anger about it.

    I will get Colin to do a new blog post with what was recommended in Experts on the Anti-Sicilian.

  22. Any chance of a white repertoire book against 1…e5 based on the Evans Gambit and another system against the Two Knights (and I guess the Hungarian too…)? The Alterman Gambit Guide gets into the Evans, but something more definitive would be great. And if I were to be particularly greedy, I’d love to see analysis on the 4.Ng5 approach against the Two Knights; 4.d3 and 4.d4 seem pretty well covered, but I haven’t seen much of anything regarding 4.Ng5 from the White side.

    Will

  23. James2 :
    @Marcus
    Pardon my ignorance, but what is TMB?
    James

    He said ‘Fun to play’ and ‘Fighting for more than equality’ so obviously he meant The Modern Benoni, what else.

    Don’t you just hate lazy people that post uncommon abbreviations and acronyms without once refering to their meaning in the body of the text. These kind of posters I would never accept or offer a draw to over the board, you either checkmate them or play till only kings are left.

  24. Forward Chess :
    @Steve
    This weekend, probably Saturday, if all goes well.

    Dear Mr. Forward Chess,

    If possible please provide the exact release date of 1…d6 against everything, I can hardly wait to examine this, as the blurb says, refreshingly slim repertoire.

    Thanks in advance.

  25. a few questions

    1. will there be an 1. e4, e5 (for black) GM Rep in the near future ?

    I’m interested in trying classical openings after getting lost in the hyper moderns and am loving negi’s series but for e5 its harder to find quality material in main lines

    2. will there be a QGD (for black ) GM Rep

    again looking to play classic chess

    Thanks for all the hard work you guys do !

  26. allpieceswanttoplay

    Ray :
    P.S.: those who want exciting chess shouldn’t play the QGD in the first place, but swith to the KID or something similar.

    Playing classical chess, for example IQP or hanging pawns positions, is not exciting?

  27. Topnotch :

    Forward Chess :
    @Steve
    This weekend, probably Saturday, if all goes well.

    Dear Mr. Forward Chess,
    If possible please provide the exact release date of 1…d6 against everything, I can hardly wait to examine this, as the blurb says, refreshingly slim repertoire.
    Thanks in advance.

    Don´t hold your breath. The repertoire is slim indeed but that also means that Black sometimes lands in passive positions. The Authors admit that White is better in some lines but that Black´s better understanding will outweigh this.

  28. @Savage Dragon
    No and no. The main reason is that we have them from Ntirlis. He is the coach of many strong GMs, but not a titled player. This is the only reason he is not in the Grandmaster Preparation series. His books are used by grandmasters…

  29. @Jacob Aagaard
    Haha, I wasn’t planning to coninue this discussion because I concluded tastes differ 🙂 . Still, now I can’t resist adding that with the proper definition of ‘exciting’ one can even call the Petroff exciting. But seriously, @allpieceswanttoplay: the point I wanted to make is that the idea of playing the QGD is to gradually equalise with solid positional moves. Kramnik’s line (like all his lines) fit this bill perfectly. And if you want IQP’s, I think you can get them also with the recommended repertoire line. And really, I doubt whether there is much excitingly new and fresh to add to e.g. Cox’ book on the Tartakower.

  30. allpieceswanttoplay

    Franck Steenbekkers and me just said that we both would have appreciated TMB to be covered in the book. Nobody said that Kramniks variation is bad, of course it equalizes and Black is solid

    @Ray:
    Same goes for TMB. You equalize, but TMB has a big adavantage: Depending on which move order Whites chooses, there is more potential left in the position or not?
    And even QGD-players like to have chances with Black or not?

    Your reference to a 2011 published book makes no sense to me. First of all theory changes so quickly and please compare the publisher. Come on Ray, you cannot compares apples and oranges …

  31. Hi all,

    While I’m awaiting my paper copy of Nikos’ 1 d4 d5 book, could anybody who has the electronic version let me know what his recommendation is against the London System ( 2 Bf4 and 2Nf3/3 Bf4)?

    Thank you.

    James

  32. I haven’t really delved deep into Cox’s book on the TMB, so I cannot really say how much of it needs an update; but I seriously doubt it would take him more than 2-3 days in the TMB chapters. I have been following the TMB theory very closely for many many years, for various reasons not relevant to this thread, and I can assure you all that the last 5 years in this system may have produced not much more than a couple of pages’ worth of new material. The theory has been almost played out after decades of testing at the very highest level, computer assistance is of minimal significance (it’s just not that type of position), and even the strategy has been worked out to a great extent.
    On the other hand, I personally agree with Ray: the TMB’s philosophy is completely different from that of the Lasker or the Kramnik, if I may call it so, and the resulting play is certainly much more interesting and strategically rich, if one is interested in that!

  33. @middlewave
    Thanks, I fully agree that there is not much to add to the theory of the Tartakower. Besides, Cox is a good author, who also wrote a splendid book for Quality Chess on the Berlin Wall, so the publisher does not always say that much about a book.

  34. John Cox is a serious guy who writes these books for fun and the challenge of it. He writes for Everyman because of personal relationships with some great people there.

    Having said that, I remember that one line in the book did not work. So be careful. And no, I do not remember which one, only that it was around move 20 where one minute for the engine was enough to crack it. This has happened to everyone and is not meant as criticism, just a warning for those wanting to rely on the book.

  35. Hi Jacob
    early this summer There was a question about a possible ( or not) new edition by QC of “imagination in chess” by P.GAPRINDASHVILI . Is this project still on the board ?

  36. @Topnotch
    Despite all the hours that we put in over the weekend, we didn’t finish it then. The good news is that the update is now live in the Google Play Store. Once you upgrade, the new books should be available.

    Please EMAIL us if you have questions or comments ?

  37. I would like to add that, IMO, the best sources from which to study the TMB are Kasparov’s books (Kasparov vs Karpov, particularly the first volume about the 1984-85 and 1985 matches) and Ivan Sokolov’s “Winning Chess Middlegames” (a lot of material in that book focuses on the TMB opening theory and resulting structures).

  38. I was wondering if Berg has any update or just some information on how the main line in his Winawer book volume 2 with 7. Dg4 0-0 8. Ad3 Cbc6 with 13. Dg4 b5 14. h4 Tf5 is going, after the move 15. Cg5.

  39. Dear Madfams and Sirs from Quality Chess, can you tell something about Mr. Negi´s plans against 1….; e5 in his Repertoire series. Can you reveal if he relies on the Ruy Lopez, the Scotch or something else? Thank you very much!

  40. @ Kai Hombrecher

    He will rely on the Ruy Lopez, but other than that nothing will be revealed until the book goes to the printer – many have tried and failed to get more information 🙂 . For me the biggest question mark is what Negi is going to recommend against the unbreachable Berlin Wall (not to mention the Marshall Gambit).

  41. Just bought 1 d4 d5 on Forward Chess. I have the nasty habit of buying both the printed version and electronic version, to much of @Jacob Aagaard ‘s delight I’m sure.

    Speaking of which, I’m still waiting for Positional Play on Forward Chess (I have the printed version). Any plans to release it soon to complete the series?

  42. Hi all at QC,

    Can we hope to see something from the white perspective next year from Nikos? For example, 1 Nf3 2g3 has been very popular over the last year or so. Playing The KIA might be a nice one for Nikos….

    James

  43. @Pinpon
    Hello Pinpon,

    Rodshtein’s move order was indeed quite smart. Black had to find 15…Kb8! not fearing Nxb6 and planning to meet Nc5 with Rc8 when the sacrifices of the knight to b7 (or the other one to c6 when comes to e5) are not dangerous.

  44. @QC
    In the website, when selecting “Thinking Inside the Box” it says paperback is “out of stock”, but also that paperback release is scheduled for 2018.
    Could you confirm if it has been released?
    Thanks

  45. @Al
    Yes, I am struggling a bit at the moment with too many irons in the fire, but it is part of a big concept that will happen and is happening.

  46. Lunaticx :
    Hi,
    I wanted to ask, when approximately can we expect excerpt from Playing 1.e4 – Sicilian & French by John Shaw.
    Thanks

    Sorry, no predictions on that. I am making progress, but it’s too soon for any date predictions.

  47. “Woodpecker Method” as a title seems a little strange in a line of titles like “Pump Up Your Rating” and “E3 Poison” (“Rating Pump Method” and “E3 Method” would have justified just that). May I suggest some alternatives (where I have to admit that I like Woodpecker) 🙂

    1. Woodpecker Delight
    2. Woodpecker Workshop
    3. Woodpecker Strategies / Strategy (don’t know if there is just one or a whole bunch, I see different types every now and then) (also I am unaware if this is more like a strategic or a tactic)

    Whose next?

  48. .
    Could we have an instructive/definite book on Paul Morphy? Games, life and pictures of the greatest chess genius in history?

  49. Leon Trotsky :
    How does Marin recommend against 5…c5 6. Ab5+ in the Austrian, where White can try for the repetition?

    It´s Black who decides on the repetition and he has decent possibilities to avoid this. I´m sure Marin will show a good way to do so. Btw in the past I have usually played 5…c5 against the Austrian Attack and so far have never met 6.e5 in tournament games otb. It seems most white amateur players are reluctant to go for the critical line.

  50. @Tom Tidom
    You mean 5…c5 6. Ab5+ Ad7 7. e5 Cg4 8. e6 Axb5 9. exf7+ Kd7 ?

    I am not sure what you mean by amateur, but I am guessing that at 2300+, more would play for this line as White. Still I think that Black is equal in both 5…0-0 and 5…c5 in various lines.

  51. Last friday I received ‘Playing 1.d4 d5′, and I think it’s brilliant! I really like the introductory chapters with discussions on typical pawn structures, and the theory is to the point without being to dense. It’s just the right balance for me! Also, Nikos’ recommended lines are crystal clear and easy to remember. For example, with his line against the Catalan I feel confident to play this next time, and i.m.o. white has absolutely nothing. This repertoire is simply rock-solid and will stand for years to come! Together with ‘Playing 1.e4 e5’ (where I have to confess I’m playing the Berlin instead of the recommended Breyer), I have nothing left to wish for with black 🙂

  52. I second Ray’s comments about playing 1 d4 d5. It is a great book.

    I only have one question regarding 1 d4 d5 2 e3 and white looking to set up a Stonewall Attack. I can’t find 2 e3 covered in the book. Can somebody refer me to the appropriate page?

    Thank you very much.

    James

  53. @James2
    I dont think that the Stonewall Attack is covered in the book (i think!). It is not a great system though. Just remember not to close your bishop with …e6. Play c5-Nf6-Nc6 and Bg4 or Bf5 before …e6.

    I think that i missed it, because White can play the Stonewall in a more flexible way starting with the move 1.f4 and at some point , together with the editorial team, we decided not to cover the 1st move sidelines in the book. I couldn’t match Mikhalevski’s thoroughness, so i saw no point doing it.

  54. @Ray
    I also like the 1.d4 d5 book very much I’m using it in conjunction with the GM Rep on the Nimzo.
    I’m just waiting for a book on the Najdorf or Taimanov and I’m sorted with Black too ?

  55. A book covering the Black Side of the Najdorf in a thorough manner would be on my wish list too. Maybe Daniel King would like to write it?

  56. @The Doctor
    I was considering the GM Rep on the Nimzo too, but on second thought it was a bit too much theory for my taste. What I like about the Playing 1.d4 d5 book is that it is a very compact repertoire, which is easy to understand (and thus remember). Roiz relies fairly heavily on forced / tactical variations here and there, which need to be memorised. Anyway, it’s a matter of taste of course.

  57. @Nikos Ntirlis
    Hi Nikos,

    Thank you for posting a comment on this. I did a bit of research and there is a line in Avrukh 1 d4 Sidelines which looks good, and there is a very recent game by Kamsky on the black side which features the line.

    Thank you.

    James

  58. I also received Tal volume 3 last Friday. It’s absolutely great! It would be very nice indeed if Karolyi could start a new series for QC…

  59. Against 1 c4, Nikos recommends 1…e6 but only deals with 2 g3. What would he recommend against 2 e4 which leads to quite different positions? Thanks.

  60. @John NS
    This chapter was supposed to be a short one, giving basic guidelines of a “starter repertoire”.

    Certainly, in that position 2.e4 is a move no doubt, although a rare one (after 1.c4) and (imho) a dubious one after 2…d5. It most certainly will lead to the type of exchange French we covered with Jacob in “Playing the French”.

    In the resulting IQP position, Black plays Nc6-Nf6-Bb4-Qd6 and puts his rooks at e8 and d8. If i recall correctly, after the move a3 we gave two options for Black. One was to play Ba5 and put the bishop to b6 in order to put pressure at the center and the other one was Bxc3 following a positional masterpiece of the 13-year old Carlsen!

    I hope this makes some sense to you!

  61. Ray :
    I also received Tal volume 3 last Friday. It’s absolutely great! It would be very nice indeed if Karolyi could start a new series for QC…

    I still think that Spassky would be a great follow-up.
    No decent books around about him.

  62. @ Thomas:

    I second this. And it would also be interesting to have some good books on the younger generation, e.g. Ivanchuk or Kramnik. I know these are also covered in the Move by Move series by Everyman, but not nearly as thorough and good as Karolyi could.

  63. Hi.

    @Leon Trotsky
    1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 Bxb5 9.exf7+ Kf8!
    (instead of 9…Kd7) is the move if you want to avoid the drawing line:
    1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 fxe6 9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxe6 Bxd4! 11.Nxd8 Bf2+ 12.Kd2 Be3+ 13.Ke1 Bf2+ 14.Kd2 Be3+ 15.Ke1 Bf2+ (=)
    This has been known since 2009 (2005 if you follow certain internet chess forums), when a generally well-written chapter by FM Vigus on 9…Kf8 was included in a Pirc/Modern book from a non-leading other chess publisher. Arguably if Marin does not cover this move he will either have to allow the drawing line above or seriously shift theory somewhere else (e.g. in 9…Kd7) in order to show black to be OK.

  64. @Nikos @Jacob Aagaard

    Thanks for the advice on dealing with 2 e4 in the English. Of course, I wasn’t expecting Nikos to cover all the English lines since that would probably double the size of the book! It also looks like Mikhalevski’s book would be a good compliment to Nikos’s book as Cowe suggests.

  65. Hi Jacob
    i posted this few days ago.

    “..early this summer There was a question about a possible ( or not) new edition by QC of “imagination in chess” by P.GAPRINDASHVILI . Is this project still on the board ?
    ..”

    maybe it has been forgotten, or Someone else at QC may have the answer… or already in press ???

    thx

  66. Jacob Aagaard :
    @RYV
    Not in the press and Chrysalis do not reply to emails. So, not happening it seems.

    i hope it is just a question of time….but it is sad that some good chess books are out of stock and are not being given a new edition.

  67. We have put up an excerpt of “Sharp Endgames” by Esben Lund. http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/SharpEndgames-extract.pdf

    The QC publication date of “The Pirc Defence” by Mihail Marin and “Sharp Endgames” by Lund will be November 1. I know that date is a holiday in some countries, so I guess chess shops in those holidaying countries will have the books a day later.

    That makes a Forward Chess release date for both books of October 25.

  68. Just for knowledge, is there a reason that Forward Chess publish the books one week before the paper release from QC printers, instead of publishing whenever the files are finished?

  69. We have put up an excerpt for David Llada’s beautiful photography book “The Thinkers”.
    http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/TheThinkers-excerpt.pdf

    I should mention that the excerpt is intentionally low-resolution, so the images in the real book are much bigger and better.

    If printing goes on schedule, “The Thinkers” will be published on November 1, the same day as “The Pirc Defence” and “Sharp Endgames”.

  70. I’ve been reading Pump Up Your Rating and have really come to appreciate the program suggested by Axel Smith

    I am curious if you guys have some contact info for Axel as I am looking for a coach and he seems to have the best system of teaching/learning down

    I’ve already looked around online but to no avail — Thanks either way

  71. Not sure if anyone have mentioned that before:

    In “Playing 1. d4 d5” at chapter 2b on pages 72-80 all games begin with 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nc3.

    Overall i like the book so far. Good work! I will play the queen’s gambit again.

  72. @Karl
    Sorry, an ugly blunder, but at least it is clear what move was intended (4.Nf3). I suspect it went wrong because it was originally there as 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 and someone intended to change the move order to the standard 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3, but managed to make only half the intended change. And no one here noticed.

  73. Just for the record and a possible new printrun: There is a similar thing in Negi I, page 419 when Negi uses his game against Zenklusen to show the merits of 7.Nf3 e6(!) in Caro Kann Main line, when the actual game went 7.h5 Bh7 8.Nf3 Nf6 according to DB and …e6 was only played 10th move and appears in the book a second time, when it should be replaced for the purpose of the book by 10…Nf6.

  74. Hi,
    Any plans from Ntirlis for a white repertoire book?
    His two books for black made me change my repertoire back to what I used to play when I started. It is a delight! Thank you so much!

  75. Jacob, John et al

    Watching the Champions showdown reminded me how much of chess is speeding up. I play in a league with 34 moves in 90 mins plus 15min quickplay and a allegro league 30 mins per game. I know I used to play a much slower time control (anyone remeber adjournments?) and play differently the quicker it gets- both openings and strategies.
    Any market for a book for quicker time controls? I know Sveshnikovs did one for New In Chess but this was purely a repertoire- I’d prefer some advice from the professionals- eg time management, which endgames do you need to know off by heart eg mate with bishop and knight, pawn structure or activity more important. Someone told me keep knights are at least the equal of bishops at faster controls due to the forks for instance. Pitching it at the club level would be best for me but happy for you to go where the money is.

    Thanks

  76. Siddhartha Gautama

    Good morning Quality Chess Team. I would like to ask if you are planning to do a 1 d4 repertoire book with a classical Nf3 setup, but without fianchetto of LSB. I own the Schandorff books and most of it I liked and had pleasant results with his repertoire. But I want to be more flexible and try to improve in other variations as well.

  77. Any chance for another minor update of the publishing schedule? The ‘Coming soon’ section is looking rather desolate at the moment…

  78. @Ray
    Yeah, will do it at some point. The main problem is that we are lacking covers. I think we have one for a book called “under the surface”, which will be out early next year. I have (as one among others) approved a drawing, based on a quirky idea Andrew and I made up in conversation. Probably 80%+ him I should say, in case no one likes it 🙂

  79. Jacob Aagaard :
    @Ray
    Yeah, will do it at some point. The main problem is that we are lacking covers. I think we have one for a book called “under the surface”, which will be out early next year. I have (as one among others) approved a drawing, based on a quirky idea Andrew and I made up in conversation. Probably 80%+ him I should say, in case no one likes it

    Hi
    I hope we will have news about Gelfand 3rd book on decision making…

    1. I have a bit of news, which is that Boris and I will do some more recordings in the near future. This book is far into the future. I would expect autumn 2018. We know what we are doing, but I will have to spend a lot of energy on it, as I do not want to compromise on quality.

  80. Siddhartha Gautama

    @Jacob Aagaard
    I looked into the excerpt and I am quite confused. Taking chapter 5 as an example, what is a reversed KIA?
    KIA is defined by Nf3/g3/Bg2/0-0 and d3.
    Black has multiple ways to play against this, therefore calling chapter 5 a reversed KIA says me litterally nothing.
    As you mentioned only Axel Smiths book, there is nothing planed in the long run with main line play 1 d4 / 2 c4 / 3 Nf3 (but without fianchetto)?

  81. @Siddhartha Gautama
    e3 against the King’s Indian, leading to a typical reversed reversed position. I cannot see it is so complicated. But the book does require some work to get the most out of it, but that is what happens when you want to be flexible…

  82. Hi Jacob,

    I was just wondering, although the title may sound self explanatory, are there any more clues as the the type of content in Opening Preparation by Ehlvest?

    Thank you.

    James

  83. Franck steenbekkers

    Are you preparing a new book with my Hero marin.
    He is an excellent choise for book About benoni or Leningrad dutch or repertoire books for white.

    Is there Some negi news

  84. Jacob Aagaard :
    @James2
    No

    love your succinct and subtle answers. any chance I could get the same treatment about my question about any QC plans for a book for rapid/blitz play I posted last week. A simple yes or no as usual is fine…

  85. Hi,

    I have been greatly enjoying Nikos’ books on 1 e4 e5 (again) and 1 d4 d5 over the last couple of weeks. I got to thinking that we haven’t seen anything from Nikos from the white perspective. Can we hope for a white repertoire book in 2018 from Nikos?

    Thank you.

    James

  86. Congrats to Nikos,

    his book ‘Playing 1.d4 d5 – A Classical Repertoire’ received an outstandingly good review by IM Dirk Schuh in the December edition of the German chess magazine Rochade Europa. He wrote quite a detailed review and called it already the book of the year 2017.

    I bought the book a short time after publication and fully agree with Mr Schuh. ???

  87. I’m also very much looking forward to volume 2 of Playing 1.e4! By the way, it seems some of your competitors are not aware of volume 1?! In his recent book on the Caro-Kann, Kornev recommends the 3…c5 variation against the Advance. After 4.dxc5 e6 (! according to Kornev) 5.a3 he claims black is equal, but he does not even mention Shaw’s recommendation from Playing 1.e4.

  88. Hey John,
    I’m very curious about Playing e4 Volume 2. When do we get the chance to have to look into an excerpt? Currently I’m looking nearly every day?

    Thanks a lot

  89. Paul :
    Hey John,
    I’m very curious about Playing e4 Volume 2. When do we get the chance to have to look into an excerpt? Currently I’m looking nearly every day
    Thanks a lot

    Looking every day?? I love a diehard optimist…………..
    Date Received: 24/8/2016 22:07 GMT
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  90. @Ray

    I don’t play 1 e4 so don’t have Shaw’s book but curious to know whether the recommendation against the Caro- Kann you mention above has been played with success at a reasonably high level? You never know I might reconsider my position on playing 1 e4 when the 2nd volume is published…

  91. @John NS
    I think this is a magazine you have to purchase online and maybe it comes physically. I could be wrong and there could be a digital copy. Either way, I don’t think the review is ‘free’.

    James

  92. @John NS
    The review by IM Dirk Schuh can be found on the Niggemann homepagem which is schachversand.de. Ssearch for Ntirlis, click the “d4d5” book title, then go to “reviews” and there you are. It is, however, in german language. The IM was really quite enthusiastic about the book, here is the last sentence of his review: “Kaufen Sie dieses Buch!”.

  93. Ray :
    I’m also very much looking forward to volume 2 of Playing 1.e4! By the way, it seems some of your competitors are not aware of volume 1?! In his recent book on the Caro-Kann, Kornev recommends the 3…c5 variation against the Advance. After 4.dxc5 e6 (! according to Kornev) 5.a3 he claims black is equal, but he does not even mention Shaw’s recommendation from Playing 1.e4.

    It would seem that Kornev has commented on this line on Chess Pub and has recommended a move not in Shaw…

  94. James2 :

    Ray :
    I’m also very much looking forward to volume 2 of Playing 1.e4! By the way, it seems some of your competitors are not aware of volume 1?! In his recent book on the Caro-Kann, Kornev recommends the 3…c5 variation against the Advance. After 4.dxc5 e6 (! according to Kornev) 5.a3 he claims black is equal, but he does not even mention Shaw’s recommendation from Playing 1.e4.

    It would seem that Kornev has commented on this line on Chess Pub and has recommended a move not in Shaw…

    It’s a bit hard to find, because it’s not in the thread on Kornev’s book, but in another thread that started on Lakdawala’s book:
    http://www.chesspub.com/cgi-bin/chess/YaBB.pl?num=1511440189

    Kornev says: “Writing a book takes a long time. And at that time, I was not familiar with the book “Playing 1.e4 vol. 1″.

    To prove the superiority of white Shaw leads weak moves for Black. For example,”

  95. Thanks for the link! I’m not fully convinced by Kornev’s argument. Shaw’s book has been published over a year ago, and i.m.o. it’s the autor’s or editor’s job to check the manuscript against major new books such as Shaw’s. By the way, I’m curious to hear QC’s view on Kornev’s accusation that Shaw proposed weak moves for black to prove a plus. I can’t imagine this is the case, in this ‘engine-age’.

  96. @ John NS:

    John recommends 5.a3, my comment related to a later move in this variation (as given in the link by James2)

    @ Michael: I don’t know, I suggest you check this in a database.

  97. We do a lot of the cross referencing for the authors. Otherwise it does not happen.

    I did not read it as an accusation what Kornev wrote, but an evaluation of the moves. Let’s focus on them, rather than potential verbal mix-ups. In that spirit, we will check his book, his 13…Nd4 here and the line in general. It feels a bit artificial to me to play like this with Black, but the proof is in the eating…

  98. @Reyk @Jacob Aagaard @Ray

    There is a debate above (and in links) regarding where Volume 1 of ‘Playing 1.e4’ meets a later Caro-Kann repertoire by Kornev. The position in question is after: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.a3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bxc5 7.b4 Bb6 8.Bb2 Nge7 9.Bd3 Ng6 10.0–0 Nf4 11.c4 0–0

    In my book we gave the novelty 12.Bc2, but after 12…dxc4 13.Nbd2 then 13…Nd4!= improves on my analysis and leads to equality, says Kornev online. Agreed.

    So my engine and I have an idea, not mentioned in either my book or Kornev’s:

    12.c5!? Giving Black a protected passed pawn, but White blockades d4, and keeps the black pieces quiet.

    12…Nxd3N +0.23 at depth 44 on asmFish. For example: 13.Qxd3 Bc7 14.b5 Ne7 15.Nbd2 Bd7 16.a4.

    12…Bc7 +0.17 at depth 44 on asmFish. For example: 13.Bc2N a6 14.Re1 Bd7 15.g3 Ng6 16.Nbd2.

    The assessment at the end of both lines is a debate: a tiny edge to White or unclear? Playable positions though.

    It’s worth emphasizing that I did not criticize Mr Kornev or his book, and I am not doing so now. A reader made a comment on our blog, and we have gone from there, just looking at the chess. It’s the nature of chess opening analysis that the debate can continue forever, with one side having an idea that the other reacts to, and then repeat the cycle.

    But now I should leave Volume 1, and get back to Volume 2.

  99. Just wondering – is this a pretty much bulletproof classical repertoire for Black?

    Playing 1.e4 e5
    + Playing 1.d4 d5
    + Beating Minor Openings: 1.c4 e5, etc.
    + Beating Minor Openings: 1.Nf3 d5, etc.
    + Beating Minor Openings: recommendations against other lines (i.e. not 1.c4 and not 1.Nf3)

    (I’m asking because at the end of Playing 1.d4 d5 there are useful starter recommendations for building a 1.c4 e6 and 1. Nf3 e6 repertoire, but I’m confused as to whether these would be necessary if the above repertoire is available).

  100. I think using Ntirlis´ recommendations against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3 reduces your workload considerably and is more in line with the QGD.

    Instead, Mikhalevski´s lines can become a lot sharper. Therefore I wouldn´t call them bulletproof.

    That said, I´m sure your choice is still excellent for Black.

  101. @ Michael

    I play the Michalevsky repertoire and i.m.o. his book is absolutely superb. I think it is the most principled classical, since black occupies the centre whenever given the chance. I.m.o. it’s pretty bulletproof.

  102. Ntirlis and Mikhalevski have their own logic: N lets you stay on QGD-like territory (esp. after 1.c4 e6), while M says do 1.d4 d5 players: “don’t give White an easy life after 1.c4, so answer 1…e5, and be ready to face sharp lines after 1.Nf3 d5”. By personal taste I prefer M’s way, but I reckon both logics are excellent. To be honest though, I never played 1.Nf3 e6 with either side and don’t know what Black can expect here.

  103. Miguel Margarido

    Is there any new about Axel Smith “The Woodpecker Method”? I hope he or qualitychess didn’t give up..

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