Vassilios Kotronias's Books

Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!

A Complete Black Repertoire vs. 1.d4

By: Vassilios Kotronias

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Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!

A Complete Black Repertoire vs. 1.d4

By: Vassilios Kotronias

A Complete Fighting Repertoire against 1.d4! Do you like active piece play? Fighting for the initiative from move one? The Tarrasch Defense just may be what you are looking for. Its advantages include: (1) It can be played against pretty much anything: 1.Nf3, 1.c4, 1.g3, 1.d4. Play 1...e6, 2...d5 and 3...c5 and you are there! (2) It leads most of the time to a typical IQP pawn structure, and it is difficult for White to change the course of the opening. (3) Black’s pieces naturally enjoy open lines and active posts so it’s easy to play the opening moves quickly and successfully! This book is exceptional! Tarrasch exponents have been blessed in the past years with some excellent works, and this book continues this happy trend. It is both a detailed reference manual and a source of inspiration. For example, in the main line 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.dxc5, I was intrigued to see such interesting analysis of the unusual gambit line 9...d4 as well as the main line 9...Bxc5. I was also very impressed by the work that Vassilios put into the awkward sidelines such as 3.Nf3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5, discovering a wealth of active possibilities in quiet-looking positions. I am certain that this book will become an essential tool both for experienced Tarrasch players and future aficionados! – Grandmaster Matthew Sadler in his Foreword Greek grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias is well-known for his excellent analytical work and writing style which presents the material in a way that is comprehensive and easy to understand. In this book – his first for Russell Enterprises – he offers a thorough system for Black against 1.d4. That includes responses to other systems such as the Colle, Trompowsky, London, etc. So, are you ready to stake your claim as Black, fighting from the first move? The Tarrasch may be just what you are looking for!

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1006

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ISBN 10

1949859088

ISBN 13

9781949859089

The Modern Spanish

Breyer and Zaitsev Systems

By: Vassilios Kotronias

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The Modern Spanish

Breyer and Zaitsev Systems

By: Vassilios Kotronias

Two Solid, Strategically Complex Ways to Meet the Spanish! The Breyer and Zaitsev Variations of the Ruy Lopez are two of the most dynamic lines played today. Examining them from both White and Black’s point of view, Greek grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias discusses their strengths, weaknesses and presents suggested improvements where necessary. The Breyer Variation of the Ruy Lopez is the brainchild of Hungarian hypermodern Gyula Breyer. He suggested the paradoxical knight retreat 9...Nb8 early in the 20th century. Although its soundness has been confirmed in many grandmaster games for over a century, there is surprisingly little which has been written about it. This book has just changed all that. The Zaitsev Variation was one of Anatoly Karpov’s workhorses in his title matches against Garry Kasparov. Formulated by the brilliant theoretician Igor Zaitsev, it can be found in the repertoires of some of the leading grandmasters of our era. As the author notes in his introduction, this is an objective presentation of two excellent opening variations for Black, from which players sitting on either side of the board may profit. The play is strategically complex, tactically rich and will improve you as both a player and connoisseur of the game. Kotronias’ clear writing style, coupled with in depth analysis, makes for a splendid opening manual on two of the most topical – and solid – variations of the Ruy Lopez. Vasilios Kotronias has managed to not only teach us (myself included) some important theory and practice of the Breyer and Zaitsev Systems, but also broaden our horizons to our approach to chess in general. His explanations are quite clear and the lines he provides are logical and concrete. This new book is aimed for all ages and chess levels. Welcome to the fascinating world of Breyer and Zaitsev! – Alexei Shirov, from his Foreword

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684

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SCB Distributors

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ISBN 10

1949859215

ISBN 13

9781949859218

The London Files

Defanging the London System

By: Vassilios Kotronias,Mikhail Ivanov

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The London Files

Defanging the London System

By: Vassilios Kotronias,Mikhail Ivanov

Lambasting the London Although the London System was first played almost 200 years ago, it lay dormant until the beginning of the 21st century. Then chessplayers rediscovered it, realizing that the London could be played against most responses by Black, obtaining a good game with little preparation. Nowadays the London has evolved into an opening taken up by both club players and world champions. Magnus Carlsen has played it regularly and the new word champion Ding Liren used it to convincingly defeat Ian Nepomniachtchi in game six of their 2023 title match. Literature on the London has focused primarily on play from White’s side. However, this new book by grandmasters Vassilios Kotronias and Mikhail Ivanov changes all that. Thea authors present four (!) separate ways to combat the London: (1) King’s Indian Setups; (2) the London Benoni; (3) the London Nimzo- and Queen’s Indian; and (4) the London Orthodox System. The London Files presents Black many good and flexible options for neutralizing White, while also giving us Londoners many new problems to contend with ... Without a doubt, this book will give Black players highly effective means to deal with the London System for a long time to come and may even have players completely rethinking their approach with the white pieces. – From the Foreword by Ian Harris Defang the London System and fear it no more!

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405

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SCB Distributors

Published Date

ISBN 10

1949859703

ISBN 13

9781949859706

Kotronias on the King's Indian

By: Vassilios Kotronias

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Kotronias on the King's Indian

By: Vassilios Kotronias

The King's Indian Defence is one of Black's most combative responses to 1.d4. A favourite of both Fischer and Kasparov, it remains a popular weapon at all levels of chess. Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias completes his epic series by tackling all major variations after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 which were not covered in the previous volumes, culminating in the mighty S�misch System.

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560

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Quality Chess

Published Date

ISBN 10

1784830356

ISBN 13

9781784830359

The Exchange Sacrifice according to Tigran Petrosian

By: Vassilios Kotronias

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The Exchange Sacrifice according to Tigran Petrosian

By: Vassilios Kotronias

The Art of the Exchange Sacrifice Tigran Petrosian, the ninth world chess champion, was one of the deepest thinkers the chess world has ever seen. His handling of complex positions was legendary. With his rare strategic feeling and exceptional vision, Petrosian gradually became one of the top exponents of the art of the exchange sacrifice, and perhaps the leading protagonist for the positional exchange sacrifice. Acclaimed author Vassilios Kotronias has assembled a splendid collection of Petrosian’s games, exemplifying the artist at work. The Greek grandmaster presents 36 games – all deeply annotated – in which he puts the Tiger’s signature sacrifice under the analytical microscope. And each game has an exceptional introduction putting it into historical perspective. As noted by American grandmaster Alex Fishbein in the Foreword: You will find your share of positional exchange sacrifices here. But you will also see exchanges sacrificed in the midst of a crushing attack. You will see sacrifices born of desperation, to save a bad ending. You will see correct and incorrect sacrifices. In fact, Tigran Petrosian will lose some games here. This is real life; there are mistakes, and the author explains it all to you. Vassilios Kotronias has brought you the material in a way that will enhance your appreciation of chess as an art form. He has also offered you practical lessons you can use in your own chess endeavors. You are already familiar with the exchange sacrifice as an art form. Now enjoy the brilliant games of its greatest artist, Tigran Petrosian.

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Page Count

438

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SCB Distributors

Published Date

ISBN 10

1949859495

ISBN 13

9781949859492

The London Files

Defanging the London System

By: Vassilios Kotronias,Mikhail Ivanov

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The London Files

Defanging the London System

By: Vassilios Kotronias,Mikhail Ivanov

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Page Count

405

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SCB Distributors

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ISBN 10

1949859703

ISBN 13

9781949859706

Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!

A Complete Black Repertoire vs. 1.d4

By: Vassilios Kotronias

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Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!

A Complete Black Repertoire vs. 1.d4

By: Vassilios Kotronias

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N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

1006

Publisher

SCB Distributors

Published Date

ISBN 10

1949859088

ISBN 13

9781949859089

Book's by Vassilios Kotronias

Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!

Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!

The Modern Spanish

The Modern Spanish

The London Files

The London Files

Kotronias on the King's Indian

Kotronias on the King's Indian

The Exchange Sacrifice according to Tigran Petrosian

The Exchange Sacrifice according to Tigran Petrosian

The London Files

The London Files

Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!

Fight 1.d4 with the Tarrasch!

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