In his “New Ideas in....” regular video series for ICC Chess.FM, GM Ronen Har-Zvi investigates the latest developments and trends in those downright annoying and unusual Queen Pawn openings that avoid the main battle-lines with 2 c4.

Are you searching for a quick-fix against the Colle-Zukertort, Torre Attack, London System, QB Attack with 2 Bg5, Stonewall Attack or perhaps the King's Fianchetto Attack with 1 d4 2 Nf3 3 g3 (without c4)? Then look no further as Ronen gives you an easy-to-play antidote to all those annoying 1 d4 openings.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9

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Tune-in for Chess Talk with IM John Watson on ICC Chess.FM. John's weekly 60+ minute show will feature an interview with leading chess personalities. All shows run on demand for members after airing.

This week (Tue., Oct 21), returning to join John in the hot seat is English grandmaster John Emms. As a player, John has been an active force on the English chess scene. He was captain of the 2002 English team at the Bled Olympiad and coach to the English ladies at the 2004 Calvia Olympiad.

However, John is best known to us all as a prolific chess author with over 30 titles to his name. He has the gift of writing clear, instructional books that have become highly-regarded by the average club and tournament player, such as Dangerous Weapons 1 e4 e5, Dangerous Weapons: The Sicilian and his latest title, Starting out: the c3 Sicilian. He is now also Commissioning Chess Editor for one of the wold's largest and popular publishers, Everyman Chess.

Tune-in for "Ask the Renaissance Man" with National Master Dan Heisman every Thursday at 21:00 EDT. You send in the questions and Dan provides the answers every week on his Q&A show. Questions on tournament rules, opening play, chess books, chess politics, current events, and more!

Click "Play Video" for a free 5 minute preview of Dan's latest show. To listen to the full show, sign up for membership!

In his weekly video lecture series for ICC, Boris Alterman's Gambit Guide, Boris investigates gambits old and new and show that, while some may not be actively played on the grandmaster circuit these days, they are all exciting to play and at the same time instructive as they teach us all about natural development of the pieces and tactics in chess. GM Boris Alterman has just opened his official blog where, among other things, he'll be discussing some of his choices for his Gambit Guide.

Starting Out: c3 Sicilian - John Emms

The c3 Sicilian is a logical and sensible way of meeting Black's most popular defence to 1 e4. With his second move White sets about constructing a strong pawn centre and cleverly sidesteps the labyrinth of opening theory associated with open Sicilians. Positions that are reached can be either tactical or positional in nature, and the c3 Sicilian particularly appeals to players who enjoy open positions with active piece play and clear objectives for both sides.

In this book, c3 Sicilian expert John Emms goes back to basics: he explains in depth the reasoning behind the critical early moves - something that is often neglected - and uses instructive games to demonstrate key plans for both White and Black.

206 pages, soft cover.

Price: $21.95 -   Buy now!

My 60 Memorable Games - Bobby Fischer

A rare window into the mind of a chess icon, My 60 Memorable Games is perhaps the most inspirational and influential chess book ever written.

First published in 1969, it contains Bobby Fischer's objective, honest and self-critical annotations to games he had won, drawn and even lost in the period from 1957 to 1967 but from which he had also learned valuable lessons.

In contrast with the previous edition of this book, no alterations have been made to the text other than the conversion of moves into algebraic notation, making this an updated yet accurate reflection of the original book.

Pre-Order Now! - Save $5.

Price: $27.95 -   Buy now!

101 Chess Questions Answered - Steve Giddins

Steve Giddins is an author acclaimed for his ability to write in down-to-earth style on fundamental chess topics.

In this book he answers the questions that really matter to chess-players. His topics include many basic ideas, including some that have rarely been addressed so directly in chess literature, and thus are often misunderstood by club players.

Where appropriate, the answers also address highly sophisticated concepts, providing insights gleaned from many years of experience and discussions with players and trainers of the highest level.

Throughout, the ideas are backed up with examples from practical play and thought-provoking quotes from the great chess legends, thinkers and writers.

Published by Gambit.

Price: $24.95 -   Buy now!

How Chess Games are Won and Lost - Lars Bo Hansen

In this important work, Lars Bo Hansen, grandmaster and professional educator, presents chess as a game of five phases, and explains the do's and don'ts in each: the opening, the transition to the early middlegame, the middlegame, strategic endgames, and technical endgames.

With a wealth of examples from both his own practice and that of his colleagues, Hansen discusses the typical mistakes and pitfalls, and shows how to handle the subtleties unique to each stage. He also advises on how to work on your chess in each aspect of the game. Of special value is his explanation of how to study typical middlegames, and that middlegame preparation - a neglected area for most players - is both possible and necessary.

144 pages, soft cover

Price: $27.95 -   Buy now!