Zenon Franco guide readers through 50 top-level games, challenges them to guess key moves correctly, and asks questions at critical moments. Points are awarded for good answers, and at the end of each game, the score-chart rates the work of the device. This material has never appeared in English before, and presents a selection of monthly articles that Franco has written for a quarter century in the Spanish-language magazines, revised and rechecked for this book. Zenon Franco is a grandmaster from Paraguay who now lives in Spain. He is an experienced chess coach, his most notable pupil being Paco Vallejo, now one of the leading grandmasters, whom he taught from 1995 to 1999.

Do you wish to set your opponents problems from the start? Are you happy to roll the dice and take some risks? Then enter the intriguing world of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit! Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is a dangerous attacking opening which has amassed a cult classic among the players of the club, a group of loyal supporters like no other in chess. White sacrifices a pawn in exchange for a strong initiative that examines Black's defense to the limit. Some experts have questioned the validity of its purpose, but there is no doubt of his success and popularity of the board, where pressure and a ticking clock often mean that it is impossible to find the right defense. In this book, openings guru Christoph Scheerer takes a modern look at the gambit. He described in detail the most promising areas for white and most resilient defenses for Black, discusses the main ideas for both sides and highlights the many tricks and traps awaiting the unsuspecting player.

Chess is developing faster now than ever before in history, and the appearance of strong chess computers has changed the way players think. In the past many positions would have been rejected on principle as impossible to defend, and even the best players would shy away from capturing material if it meant that they would have to face a difficult defense. This attitude has changed, and today's top players are not afraid of walking a very fine line in defense. Here's practical advice on various methods of defense, offering readers the chance to test and train with 200 challenging examples. While not for the fainthearted, this book will help the reader greatly improve in this vital part of the game.

Until recently, Petroff's Defence has always been regarded as a safe and solid way for Black to play for equality in the opening. Now, however, its reputation has been completely transformed and it features in the arsenal of some of the world's attacking players who have introduced a wealth of aggressive new ideas for Black. Using illustrative games to explain all the new ideas, this book gives unique insights into the Petroff Defence and into Karpov's new opening preparation.

The author, an experienced chess master and teacher, was able to explain the complex issues of chess struggle simply and easily. the young reader will find in it advice on how to study theory, how to consolidate theoretical knowledge with the help of training parties, how to prepare for competitions and how to play them. In our country, the book was recognized as the best teaching tool for young chess players.

The book lying in front of you is intended primarily for the self-improvement of strong chess players. Its specificity presupposes saturation with exceptionally complex analyzes, exercises that will be difficult for even the leading grandmasters to cope with. But, I believe, chess lovers will find their interest in it. Isn’t it curious to look, if not by the owners, but by the guests, into the world of top-level chess, to see firsthand what problems the chess “pros” solve (successfully or unsuccessfully) and how far even their game is far from perfect ?!

The book is intended for qualified chess players and coaches and will be especially useful and instructive for young ambitious players who seek deep insight into the secrets of the game and high achievements. The book is intended for qualified chess players and coaches and will be especially useful and instructive for young ambitious players who seek deep insight into the secrets of the game and high achievements.