The first truly modern single-volume guide to the chess openings

Chess opening theory has changed out of all recognition in the 21st century, yet chess literature has been slow to catch up with this. Martyn Kravtsiv, a grandmaster and trainer of the same generation as Magnus Carlsen, is here to redress the balance.

Prompted by computer investigations, players no longer expect to gain a large advantage as White by force. Few stick to a narrow repertoire. They seek lines that computers underestimate but will cause problems for human opponents. Modest lines with a drop of poison have become fashionable. Yet outlandish gambits and random-looking pawn advances also appear in top-level play. Time-honoured openings have fallen by the wayside, if computers have shown it is too easy to gain an advantage against them, or have simply analysed them to death.

This huge book fully takes on board these developments. The most space is devoted to lines that are popular today, and that deep computer analysis suggests have the brightest futures. If an opening cannot be recommended, Kravtsiv explains why with the minimum of variations. He identifies openings more suitable for rapid chess, and what type of work is needed from readers who are interested in playing each opening. Nothing in this book is dictated by the paradigms of older opening works.

Martyn Kravtsiv is a grandmaster from Lviv, Ukraine. He was blitz champion of the 2008 World Mind Sports Games (at age 17), represented his country at the 2017 World Team Championship and was a coach for the team that won silver medals at the 2016 Olympiad. Kravtsiv currently works as a trainer at the children’s chess school in Lviv, and has written three widely acclaimed books for Gambit.

Download a pdf file with a sample from the book.

“[The book] looks amazing! … Over 500 pages covering opening theory. Highly recommended for those who want a very broad repertoire, and those who want to have a general idea of the possibilities available before creating their repertoire. ” – FM Luis Fernández Siles @capakhine

“Practical Chess Openings offers an excellent overview of modern theory” – IM John Donaldson

“In an age of neural networks and cloud analysis, I think this book has the potential to revive the single-volume openings encylopaedia. Whether you want to build or refresh your chess opening repertoire, or want an idea of where to target future analysis, this book is highly recommended” – Paul Hopwood, CHESS magazine

“This book is clearly laid out, easy to follow and work through and should be on every budding grandmaster’s bookshelf” – Richie Christie, New Zealand Chess Federation Director of Training

“Throughout the years I have seen many one volume openings books, but never as well-written a work as this one from the chess genius GM Martyn Kravtsiv, who at age 17 was blitz champion of the world. His talent to explain chess is extraordinary. The chess student is not overloaded with a wealth of variations – instead there is a balance of explanations and topical lines. Most space in the book is devoted to lines that are popular today, and based on computer analysis. While many of them are – thanks to the author – perfect for rapid and speed chess. In conclusion: perfect for beginners and more serious chess students!” – John Elburg, chessbooks.nl