Shopworn Chess Books
A Practical Guide
There isn’t a chessplayer who hasn’t struggled with doubled pawns. Are they strong because they oversee and surveil important squares or reinforce defensive ramparts? Are they weak, prone to being collected by our opponent in the endgame – or sooner? In the first work devoted exclusively to this topic, the author examines the various pawn structures in which doubled pawns appear.

SHOPWORN - Doubled Pawns
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Attack and Surprise White with the Basman-Sale Variation
The Basman-Sale Variation is a relatively unexplored weapon for Black in the Sicilian Defence. After the perfectly normal moves 1.e4 c5, 2. Nf3 e6, 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Black lashes out with 4…Bc5! English IM Michael Basman and Croatian IM Srdjan Sale were the pioneers of this cunning chess opening system. The advantages are clear: it is surprising, aggressive and easy to learn. Compared to the complexity of mainstream Sicilian variations it requires little theoretical preparation, while you don’t run excessive risks. That is why The Lazy Man’s Sicilian is ideal for club players who don’t have much time to study opening theory (or are not too fond of hard work anyway).

SHOPWORN - The Lazy Man's Silcilian
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The Sicilian Najdorf is undoubtedly one of the most popular chess openings. It was played with great success by world champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov and today it remains a favourite defense at all levels from grandmaster to beginner. 6 Bg5 is widely acknowledged as a critical test of the Sicilian Najdorf. In this book, International Master Kevin Goh Wei Ming examines the most theoretically important and instructive games in recent years, highlighting the main developments and novelties for both sides. Whether playing White or Black, this book provides you with essential knowledge of an important opening.

SHOPWORN - Chess Developments - Sicilian Najdorf 6. Bg5
Regular Price: $29.95
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Play For a Win with 5. f3!
Are you looking for a way to outwit theory-sharks in the Open Sicilian? Then this may just be the book for you. The concept is simple: surprise your opponent with 5.f3, build up a strong pawn centre, avoid all of Black’s main lines and steamroll his Sicilian! Experienced grandmaster Sergey Kasparov presents a complete repertoire for White which has all the right features for ambitious and creative chess players:

SHOPWORN - Steamrolling the Sicilian
Regular Price: $26.95
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Mastering the Most Important Skill in Chess
Beginners of all ages will win more games after studying this easy-to-follow book. This isn't another random collection of puzzles, but a systematic course that teaches you how to checkmate your opponent. Experienced chess coach Kevin Stark explains elementary mating patterns in all the important positions and provides many tests to see if you have really mastered the technique.

SHOPWORN - Checkmate for Children
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Some players seem to be naturally gifted at chess. Almost effortlessly they seem to know what to do in every position. They recognize the best squares for their pieces; they know whether to seize the initiative with a bold attack or play quietly; whether to trade pieces or avoid exchanges; how to exploit opponents' weaknesses while minimizing the effect of their own - they make it look all too easy!

SHOPWORN - Rules of Winning Chess
Regular Price: $26.95
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Essays in American Chess History has been a joy to create. Unlike larger, book length works, the essays here are self-contained, small or at least smaller units, each devoted to a different facet of the game that fascinates, infuriates, and forever will remain mysterious to us all, regardless of the many advancements made in modern technology. The essays may be read individually as well as collectively, and offer the reader glimpses into byways of the past long neglected. They record as well, at least for me, a progression in my thinking about chess, history, and their interrelationship.

SHOPWORN - Essays In American Chess History
Regular Price: $42.95
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