Brought together for the first time in one book Meeting 1d4 and 1e4 International Master Jacob Aagaard and Esben Lund provide an all-in-one solution to the popular opening move 1 d4 and other White systems that do not involve 1 e4. In Meeting 1e4 The reader is provided with a complete repertoire for Black against 1 e4, based on the ever-reliable Sicilian Defence.

Are you tired of defending passive of difficult positions with Black? Fed up with having to learn many different defenses to all of White's attacks? Then this book is the answer to your problems! Jacob Aagaard and Esben Lund provide an all-in-one solution to the popular opening move 1 d4 and other White systems that do not involve 1 e4. The lines suggested are based around the Tarrasch Defense (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5). They are easy to learn and fun to play whilst also promising the black player dynamic counterplay. This book is especially useful for players who have neither the time nor inclination to learn reams of the latest opening theory. Throughout this work, the authors delve into the strategies, ideas and tactics for Black, while also showing the possible traps and pitfalls. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 178 pages, diagrams)

Grandmaster David Smerdon gives the Scandinavian a welcome twist by using it as an all-out attacking weapon. The repertoire he presents is one he has successfully employed at grandmaster level over many years, and the backbone is provided by the razor-sharp Portuguese and Icelandic gambits.

After the success of his award-winning book Keep it Simple 1.e4 International Master Christof Sielecki is back. His new repertoire based on 1.d4 has a similar profile: variations that are straightforward and easy to remember, and require little or no maintenance. Sielecki has created a reliable set of opening lines for chess players of almost all levels. The major objective is to dominate Black from the opening, by simple means. You don’t need to sacrifice anything or memorize long tactical lines. His main concept is for White to play 1.d4, 2.Nf3, 3.g3, 4.Bg2, 5.0-0 and in most cases 6.c4. Sielecki developed this repertoire while working with students who were looking for something that was easy to understand and easy to learn. This new 1.d4 repertoire may be even easier to master than his 1.e4 recommendations, because it is such a coherent system. Sielecki always clearly explains the plans and counterplans and keeps you focussed on what the position requires. Ambitious players rated 1500 or higher will get great value out of studying this extremely accessible book.

Every chess player needs a high-quality answer to 1.e4, and there is nothing more reliable than 1...e5. Black stakes a claim in the centre and prepares to deploy his pieces on good squares. The challenge nowadays is to build a robust repertoire without being overwhelmed by the volume of material and continual advances in opening theory. In Playing 1.e4 e5 - A Classical Repertoire, Nikolaos Ntirlis offers the best of both worlds: a complete repertoire against 1.e4, built on sound positional principles, which does not require excessive memorization. Against the Spanish the author recommends the Breyer System, one of the most stable, computer-proof options at Black's disposal. The Scotch, Italian, Four Knights and various other sidelines and gambits are handled with the same clarity and efficiency.

This book equips the reader with everything he needs to know to play Black in a game of chess. Two experienced Finnish players have described an exciting repertoire based on the move 1...d6 in reply to whatever White's first move happens to be. Black's strategy is hypermodern and dynamic: White is encouraged to seize space, while Black develops his pieces rapidly and actively, waiting for the ideal moment to attack and destroy White's central bastion. The variations advocated have been proven in top-level play and have quick-strike potential if White is at all careless or imprecise. The repertoire is based around the Pirc Defence and the variations 1 d4 d6 2 c4 e5 and 1 d4 d6 2 Nf3 Bg4, which fit seamlessly together with 1...d6 systems against White's various flank openings.

Developing a punchy repertoire with 1.e4 requires extensive research, mixed with fine judgement and a good deal of creativity. In this three-volume work, GM John Shaw supplies an ambitious and dynamic arsenal of ideas for White. The repertoire is built around main lines, with many innovative suggestions that will cause no end of trouble to your opponents. This volume covers the Caro-Kann, 1...e5 and various minor openings. The repertoire will be completed by Playing 1.e4 - French Defence & Sicilian Sidelines and Playing 1.e4 - Sicilian Main Lines.