The 'Chess Stars Openings' series present an entirely new approach to the study of chess openings which can provoke the interest of chessplayers of all levels. Drawing examples from the games of today's leading grandmasters we present the principles of selection and successful employment of a harmonious opening repertoire, corresponding as close as possible to the style of a renown master.

The next book of the series is already available: A. Khalifman "Opening for Black according to Karpov". There you will find - Caro-Cann, Queen's Indian, Nimtzowitsch, Catalan, English Opening.

A. Khalifman "Opening for White according to Kramnik" - I (King's Indian, Indian, Anti-Grunfeld)

A. Khalifman "Opening for White according to Kramnik" - II (English Opening)

A. Khalifman "Opening for White according to Kramnik" - III (Queen's Gambit, Slav, Dutch)

Dear Chessfriends,

It's no secret that chess players prefer to read opening books and seldom have time for books on endgames. There are many openings and opening books, but problems still remain. So, what opening to choose and how to master it in the easiest and most convenient way? As a matter of fact, to know several openings is insufficient, whereas it would be more rewarding to materialize a whole system of playable openings before hand to enable the player to defend himself from any unpleasant surprises in the beginning of the game with minimal efforts.

To build (this word seems to reflect the idea of the present book in the best way) the opening repertoire for Black is a complex task. Usually it is a tedious and time-consuming process. We will achieve this purpose in an easier way through a close examination of Black openings played by Anatoly Karpov, the 12th World Champion. Of course, we will regard not all the openings he ever played but only those which agree with the idea of an integral opening system.

For two decades after the mid-seventies Anatoly Karpov was one of the world's strongest players. And, of course, his elaborated opening preparations were one of the key elements that allowed him to achieve such outstanding results.

Karpov came to his present Black repertoire not at once. At first he played the Ruy Lopez and the Sicilian Defence after 1.e4, the Queen's gambit after 1.d4 and the symmetrical 1:c5 in the English Opening. Then he began to play so called solid openings: the Caro-Kann, Nimzo-Indian, Queen's Indian Defences and the Catalan Opening. Having studied them thoroughly, he achieved excellent results.

We will follow his path, so you won't have to study extra openings (of course, it's helpful to know, for example, the King's Indian and the Gruenfeld after 1.d4, but how can one remember everything and constantly be well informed about all novelties?) or take trouble choosing the best move from many opportunities. I carried out this work for you with all possible care, taking into account the latest opening innovations.

So I recommend you to build your Black opening repertoire as follows:

In case of 1.e4 you play 1:c6 (the Caro-Kann Defence, Part 1 of this book).

The move - order after 1.d4 is more difficult to remember, yet I am sure of your success, so you play 1…Nf6. Now White very often continues with 2.c4, and 2...e6 is your answer.

Then in case of 3.Nc3 you play 3:Bb4 (Nimzo-Indian, Part 2),

if 3.Nf3, then 3:b6 (Queen's Indian, Part 3),

if 3.g3, then 3:d5 (Catalan Opening, Part 4).

If White begins with 1.c4 (the English Opening, Part 5), which sometimes confuses an inexperienced player, then your answer will be 1…e5. As for the crafty move - order 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4, we have prepared 2:b6. Now in case of 3.d4 there is 3…e6, proceeding to the Queen's Indian Defence you have already learned from Part 3. If White does without d2-d4, then you refer to Chapter 22, dedicated to the corresponding opening lines. There is another example of our elaborated opening repertoire. Let's assume that White plays 1.d4 Nf6 and then 2.g3. What should you do? Nothing in particular, you just play 2…d5, and if White answers with 3.c4, then we will obtain the Catalan Opening with 3…e6 (see Part 4), but if White wants to manage without c2-c4 and develops his pieces with Bg2, Nf3, then you have c6 and Bg4, see p.181.

With this book in your library you will never be short of moves, favourable to Black. Be assured that no crafty rearrangements by White will catch you unawares.

A. Khalifman, 14th Word Champion.