Analyzes a variety of endgames, discusses strategy, and looks at confrontations between unlike pieces

The Sicilian Kan is one of the most flexible and easy-to-play variations of the entire Sicilian complex. In contrast to opening monsters such as the infamous Dragon and Najdorf Variations, Black players are not forced to memorize massive chunks of opening theory. Success in the Sicilian Kan is more dependent on understanding certain principles and a system of development. Another point in its favor is that even more experienced White players are often flummoxed by Black¿s elastic approach. Recently the Kan has received a seal of approval from the highest places, with both Kasparov and Kramnik employing it in the last couple of years. In this book, Grandmaster John Emms considers both the popular main lines and the tricky sidelines of the Sicilian Kan. Using illustrative games, Emms guides the reader through the positional and tactical intricacies of this modern opening. *Written by a leading openings expert *Includes games from world class grandmasters *An ideal weapon at all levels

Vast collection of great chess games from 1798–1938, with much hard-to-find material. Fully annotated, arranged by opening for easier study. 150 years of master play!

The Pirc Defence is a sharp hypermodern opening in which Black tempts White into establishing a pawn centre with the idea of rapidly undermining it. Its unbalanced nature ensures exciting play and invariably this leads to a decisive result. Leading modern exponents include World Championship Candidates Finalist Jan Timman, American Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan, and Britain's Jon Speelman. Here John Nunn, an expert on the Pirc Defence, presents his selection of the most theoretically important recent games.