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Former US Open Champion Timothy Taylor takes a modern look at one of Black’s most ambitious counters to 1.e4, the Alekhine Defence. This is a sharp opening in which Black counterattacks from move one, luring White’s central pawns forward to create the prospect of undermining them later on. The Alekhine is popular weapon for creative grandmasters, such as Nigel Short and Vassily Ivanchuk. It has been used by Bobby Fischer and—more recently—by Magnus Carlsen, probably the best player in the world.

By studying deeply the most important game and also by drawing upon his own experience in the opening, Taylor is able to construct a practical repertoire for Black—ideal for the modern player. The key ideas for both sides are covered, there are recommendations on lines to play and lines to avoid, and crucial move-order nuances are highlighted. This book provides everything you need to know to play the Alekhine with confidence.

The King’s Indian and the Grünfeld are two of Black’s most popular answers to 1 d4; unsurprising given that they were long-time favorites of chess legends Garry Kasparov and, before him, Bobby Fischer. Brimming with complexity and dynamism, these two openings often leave those playing White scratching their heads wondering how to squeeze even the slightest of advantages out of the opening and, just as crucially, how to avoid becoming swamped in a morass of complicated theory.

It’s time for White to strike back! In this book, Timothy Taylor gets to grips with the King’s Indian and Grünfeld, providing White with a number of easy-to-learn and effective weapons which are specially designed to cause Black maximum discomfort. Taylor examines the typical tactical and positional ideas for both players, highlighting the tricks and pitfalls one must look out for. A study of this book will allow the reader to battle against the King’s Indian and the Grünfeld with renewed confidence.

This is the only complete, modern book on Bird’s Opening. It is not a repertoire book (like Taylor’s more recent Beating the King’s Indian and Gruenfeld). Bird’s Opening covers every line, both for White and Black. Each line is illustrated with complete games to show the flavor of the typical middlegames, and even endings. Also for the first time, From’s Gambit is dissected in detail, with the verdict that White is generally better. This book will enable anyone to play Bird’s Opening, or defend against it.

In this book Timothy Taylor offers an in-depth study of the Budapest Gambit. He presents up-to-date analysis, makes recommendations for Black and White, and covers the typical plans for both sides. This book provides everything you need to know about this fascinating opening.

“A romance of epic proportions” is how Booklist (the review arm of the American Library Association) described this 990 page historical novel set during the tumultuous years of the Third Crusade. Elaine the Fair, most beautiful woman of the English court, is trapped in a loveless to a brutal tax collector—but there are men determined to free her from her prison: A landless knight known as Sir Thomas, Duke Roland from the Continent, and finally a mysterious, legendary figure rises from some false identity, Robin Hood himself …

This FIDE Category 10 tournament was the strongest international event held in the United States since the legendary “Church’s Fried Chicken” tourney at San Antonio in 1972. World class GM Eric Lobron of Germany took clear first with fine positional play and slashing attacks—his classic N sacrifice against fellow GM Gruenfeld was a masterpiece of Spielman inspired tactics.
All games are annotated by one of the participants, IM Timothy Taylor, who modeled the book on Alekhine’s classic “New York 1924”. Every phase of every game is studied in depth, including the Queen sacrifice and long Rook ending of London-Taylor, and Lein’s Nimzovichian strategical win vs. Benjamin.
Also adding to the interest was the young Susan Polgar and future American GM Max Dlugy.

Pawn sacrifices are incredibly common in chess games, and yet curiously they have been neglected in literature… until now.

In this pioneering work, Timothy Taylor carries out an in-depth study of this major subject. Using an abundance of instructive examples, Taylor uncovers the secrets of pawn sacrifices, highlighting the many reasons for their success and indicating the ideal situations in which they are not so effective.

The ability to handle pawn sacrifice is one of the most important skills in chess, and enhancing this skill will undoubtedly improve your understanding and results. This book will show you how to do this.

Former US Open Champion Timothy Taylor presents a repertoire for Black against the universally popular Spanish Opening (Ruy Lopez). The backbone of Black’s repertoire is based on the Modern Steinitz Defence, which has justifiably earned a reputation as an important alternative to the main lines. The Modern Steinitz may lead to razor-sharp gambits, such as the Siesta Variation, where just one slip by either player could prove to be fatal. But perhaps the main attraction of the Modern Steinitz is its flexibility, as Black can also choose to play in a more positional and solid manner.
Using illustrative games and drawing on his own experiences with the opening, Taylor examines in depth all the critical main lines, as well as what to do if White avoids them. Read this book and get ready to slay the Spanish!
• A repertoire for Black against the Ruy Lopez
• Up-to-date theory on the critical lines
• Covers plans and strategies for both sides

International Master and former US Open Champion Timothy Taylor draws upon his wealth of personal experience to offer an instructive and entertaining account of how to improve your understanding of chess and your results. This book is awash with invaluable advice and helpful tips on all stages of the game – opening, middlegame and endgame. Taylor emphasizes the practical aspects of chess: how to really make the most of your ability, how to win at all costs, and how to absorb the lessons of defeat to come back stronger.

Grab every advantage over your opponent and be in the best possible shape for the battle. True Combat Chess will show you the way!