tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124859412024-03-13T20:06:01.342-07:00Computer chess - opening theoryabout computer chess,
chess opening theory,
chess program Bookbuilder,
chess opening program,Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-79026817670256875282023-09-21T03:01:00.004-07:002023-09-21T03:01:41.923-07:00New edition of the opening book coming soon<p> Next months i am going to work on the new edition, which will probably take me a few hundred </p><p>hours. At first, the main updates will be presented in the E-book versions, eg on Amazon</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Chess-Openings-intermediate-levels-ebook/dp/B00WKE1HJC">Learning-Chess-Openings-intermediate-levels-ebook (Amazon)</a></p><p>The paper version will get the same updates, but in addition also the comprehensive</p><p>appendix with the details of all variations (not in the E-book) will be updated, thus </p><p>making it a timeless reference guide for almost all chess players. </p><p>Note basically, more advanced players will notice it is a 'repertoire' book; because</p><p>chess fundamentally is a draw, it is possible the chess players is deviating with his/her</p><p>'repertoire'' (built up after beginner level) from the variations in the book(s); however</p><p>in some situation we already indicate where such deviations are possible (eg for</p><p>more adventurous players, or sometimes for more advanced players), and in any case</p><p>the repertoire given in the new edition of the book will be perfect rocksolid, timeless</p><p>and suitable from a practical point of view for the majority of chess players.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-65027731524942040602023-09-21T02:59:00.003-07:002023-09-21T02:59:38.971-07:00Improving opening theory (update of my chess book)<p> A few years ago i wrote a book about opening theory specifically aimed</p><p>at beginner and intermediate levels; this is/was the paper version of the book:</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Better-Chess-Openings-Jef-Kaan/dp/1326180770">Better-Chess-Openings (Amazon)</a></p><p>There also is an E-book version (and some other review) with various outlets (eg lulu.com/kobo), but the above is key. The book was based on chess programs (engines) at that time, which already analyzed positions better than human chess grandmasters. However in recent years the chess engines were again considerably improved due to the use of neural networks (the NNUE approach). As a result I had to check the content of the book, and the recommended 'repertoire' (main variations for Black and White). For this purpose in last two months I have analyzed two million of the most important opening positions added the improved results to my computer chess 'opening book' did 'backsolving' some checks and finetuning on the final results. </p><p>Luckily I found that the older 'main' opening choices ('repertoire') still basically are correct (as result of earlier deep/thorough analysis it appears I was ahead of my time) but many variations now do need an update in specific moves, and sometimes the order of importance for specific variations (recommended top choices) will be changed. This means it now is time for a second, completely NEW, improved Edition, based on the latest ('NNUE') engines and a systematic analysis of ALL relevant opening positions starting from scratch. </p><p>Thereby many variations will get an update wrt the specific moves usually from move 3 or 4 onwards, and sometimes the order of importance for specific variations (recommended top choices) will be changed. An example of a variation which has become almost obsolete as result of the engine analysis , is the French Winawer for Black. While I already not recommended it for Black, I know can list the best moves for White to refute the variation, in case Black would play such the -erroneous/outdated- ...Bb4?!. Also in the chapter with gambits, and the more advanced 'positional' chapter (with 1.d4) there will be changes in the recommended moves, usually after move 3 or 4 or so, while maintaining the main structure of the (sub)chapters. </p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-31891900506757172502023-07-11T14:39:00.000-07:002023-07-11T14:39:21.304-07:00update Chess Gambiteer (open source)<p> today uploaded an update of my (gambit) opening training package<br />at Sourceforge:<br /><br /><a href="https://sourceforge.net/projects/chess-gambiteer/">Chess Gambiteer open source application(s)</a></p><p>There are various options available in this package,<br />1) play against a engine -with gambit book- at (relatively low) club level, or <br />2) observe games at higher level (between gambit book<br />and ordinary book, with two different engines; often yielding<br />quite interesting and instructive -unbalanced- games).<br /><br />See the various readme.txt files for more info.<br /><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-10315049984448426912022-12-14T22:05:00.005-08:002022-12-14T22:05:35.053-08:00Bookbuilder open source<p>Announced the open source 'package' (lots of files !) again.<br />after i added some more instructions (in sources directory<br />and updated the readme.txt. Announced on talkchess.com (programmers forum).<br /><br />Some history, the functionality of the program speaks for itself,<br />decades ago the idea was to use the program not only to study<br />opening theory, but to improve opening theory itself.</p><p>NB not offering support (but you always can try to 'bribe' me <br />of course if you really get stuck :-) <br />(no guarantees, however)</p><p>PS all this work resulted in my awesome (paper) chess -openingstudy- book (on lulu) :<br />https://www.lulu.com/shop/jef-kaan/better-chess-openings/paperback/product-1mw8r8qz.html<br />with five stars on Amazon.<br />https://www.amazon.com/Better-Chess-Openings-Jef-Kaan/dp/1326180770/</p><p>Meanwhile i used my knowledge to play correspondence chess for some years<br />on ICCF and acquired a CCM (master) title.<br /><br />While we are approaching the draw limit in computer chess, i've <br />stopped with correspondence chess, at least as long as the (endgame<br />and 3 pos draw) rule haven't been modified to reduce the draw rate at high levels.<br /><br />Yet based on the more modern Nnue engines of last year, i'm intending to update <br />my (paper) book (on Lulu/Amazon) or possibly even write a new edition.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-82478150095981655322022-11-18T01:10:00.001-08:002022-11-18T12:04:06.390-08:00Small update in Bookbuilder book<p> In the latest download (bookbuilder setup file), there's now<br />a slight update of the book.pbs file (more than one million positions)</p><p>Best move now is 1.e4 in line with experiences in correspondence chess.<br />With best play, chess is a draw. but humans still may enjoy the g<br />game; and become a bit more modest in the process. <br /><br />The updated book may be useful for otb players, who like<br />to check/update their repertoire. But it's not perfect, of course.</p><p>In correspondence chess you may of course look at <br />bigger databases/ opening books.</p><p>Nevertheless, have fun</p><p>:)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-65023086592881189332022-11-16T01:34:00.006-08:002022-11-18T01:03:39.368-08:00Bookbuilder (free) download<p>The opening study and training program Bookuilder<br />(latest commercial version was 4.3b) now becomes<br />opensource. The setup file now can be downloaded at </p><p><a href="https://sourceforge.net/projects/bookbuilder/" target="_blank">Bookbuilder download page </a></p><p>Formerly a trial version for a week, the serial codes<br />for registration now are given as 'donation-ware'</p><p><b>Method for registration: go to help entry on menu </b></p><p><b>username: customer@2013</b></p><p><b>serial code(s) FA95 997<br /><br />Latest, medium size book was made by analyzing <br />endmodes with SFNNue (!) and backsolving /full minimax<br />of the book with the older version bb36 (also included).</b></p><p><b>Enjoy</b></p><p>A donation a foundation in Moldova will be appreciated</p><p>See info in the readme.txt</p><p>PS sourcecodes of the program will be uploaded soon<br />(in the directory sources of this project on sourceforge.net)</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-7940473865084114352021-03-06T12:33:00.000-08:002021-03-06T12:33:38.164-08:00Updated Chess-Gambiteer program<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Now uploaded as open source project to Sourceforge</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><a href="https://sourceforge.net/projects/chess-gambiteer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chess-gambiteer on Sourceforge</a><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's a training program for weaker to average club players<br />to play against gambit opening lines (with a rather weak engine0<br /><br />See the further description on Sourceforge.<br /><br />SImply download the zip file, unzip, and start with the startdjeng.bat</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Have fun !</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-58128804233167323242019-01-16T10:40:00.002-08:002019-02-15T07:33:41.088-08:002019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<u>New layout again (January 2019)</u><br />
<br />
some other news: (old) site www.bookbuilder.nl discontinued<br />
(looking for other server).<br />
<br />
Meanwhile my program Bookbuilder about chess openings<br />
can still be registered at:<br />
<a href="http://www.shareit.com/product.html?productid=184868" target="_blank">Bookbuilder info </a><br />
<br />
Download link coming in next post !<br />
<br />
Meanwhile found some updates in my French repertoire<br />
(for Black), English (for White), and (Semi)Slav (for White).<br />
To be posted later on this blog...<br />
<br />
Also planning an update (soon) for my book<br />
about chess openings (find at):<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Chess-Openings-intermediate-levels-ebook/dp/B00WKE1HJC" target="_blank">Learning the chess openings (book at Amazon)</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-9500438495935983192017-03-04T13:21:00.002-08:002019-01-16T09:58:19.135-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some news: changed layout of this blog, more modern look;<br />
achieved a C(orrespondence)C(hess)M(aster) norm on ICCF:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtg-rZele51y5M9HndkdksNv1KTxFMLOGh__nSixGhfIwe0sfG0DaP4ETNqEh6mZJOadBYUP_6I0XdCDX4Ai9D6iuvUX-dg84VdPGInQV5qbN9SjpjmnemPAv25ujyIzxvb23/s1600/iccf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtg-rZele51y5M9HndkdksNv1KTxFMLOGh__nSixGhfIwe0sfG0DaP4ETNqEh6mZJOadBYUP_6I0XdCDX4Ai9D6iuvUX-dg84VdPGInQV5qbN9SjpjmnemPAv25ujyIzxvb23/s640/iccf.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-12510093763111270562017-01-05T08:42:00.000-08:002019-01-16T09:59:41.040-08:00new results with updated (Shredder) engine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now that Deep Shredder 13 came out, somewhere mid/end 2016,<br />
my computer results on the Free Internet Chess Server <br />
(FICS, www.freechess.org) improved again (with an engine, i'm<br />
only allowed to use Shredder on Fics, not Komodo or Stockfish).<br />
<br />
With still some other engines ranking higher, i came into to the <br />
<b>top 5 </b><b>rankings on Fics</b> for blitz, standard, *and* bullet. My opening <br />
book -still used ony with the CP interface) now is about 32 Mb; my<br />
favorite first move for the computer now again is 1.d4, but <br />
sometimes i also play 1.Nf3 (often similar), <br />
1.c4 (sometimes similar), or 1.e4.<br />
<br />
Below the nr 4 place recently achieved on FICS:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB3amsiwPCHaWJERaAnGRgk7ZF-12WHuXq8JCKeU-RpsRu5nUeJaXeUm16WiaV2m2KSDRzL1P2FrUI5Xh0xVIdgChZXoooPnhdpxvqO1hAFiVTTvF31TSmJ0OIXqGnj-YJ25t/s1600/fics-ratings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB3amsiwPCHaWJERaAnGRgk7ZF-12WHuXq8JCKeU-RpsRu5nUeJaXeUm16WiaV2m2KSDRzL1P2FrUI5Xh0xVIdgChZXoooPnhdpxvqO1hAFiVTTvF31TSmJ0OIXqGnj-YJ25t/s640/fics-ratings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
NB not only is DS13 a much stronger engine, now also the syzygy<br />
endgame bases can be used with the engine (had to adjust some time<br />
settings, due to some time forfeits, maybe because i don't have<br />
an SSD disc yet for these syzygy bases..).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Below the notes for account kec(C) on Fics:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtJQ74BoQzaN5ycBNfhu9npxbwySWvMU9li4rIi2AKxHG5k1YraPO2HTiTPBYzQMWxyuMmOI3TXfOlUwhyZSg0rUH7V1LBKBKxpNlg1Lpu2fysyIfkQ0fAlH4_aJmkWXAemT_/s1600/kec-info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtJQ74BoQzaN5ycBNfhu9npxbwySWvMU9li4rIi2AKxHG5k1YraPO2HTiTPBYzQMWxyuMmOI3TXfOlUwhyZSg0rUH7V1LBKBKxpNlg1Lpu2fysyIfkQ0fAlH4_aJmkWXAemT_/s640/kec-info.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-9306364426108348082016-05-17T07:30:00.000-07:002016-07-10T08:56:59.709-07:00A super-GM repertoire <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
From my research the <b><i>English</i> opening (1.c4!) </b>seems a good<br />
first move in top level chess. Although the fundamental differences<br />
between various opening moves are small (*), and a good GM <br />
obviously also tries to look at what the opponent usually plays, <br />
or knows (repertoire). Yet fundamentally, it also matters to know <br />
how theory develops, for example:<br />
<br />
<b>1.c4 e5 (</b>1...c6 leads to <b><i>Slav</i></b>) <b>2. Nc3</b><b> Nf6 3. g3! Bb4! </b>(3...Bc5<br />
<b>4.Nf3! e4 5.Nd4 0-0 6.Bg2 Bxc3 7.dxc3 d6 8.0-0 Re8 9.Nc2</b><br />
and White maintains a slight advantage.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Otherwise, after <b>1. c4 Nf6 2. d4 </b><b>e6 </b>(2...g6 leads to <b><i>Gruenfeld</i></b> <br />
or <i>Kings-Indian</i>)<b> 3. Nc3 </b>(g3 also is possible) <b>Bb4! 4. Qc2! 0-0</b> <br />
(5. e4!? d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. Bd3 c5 8. Nf3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nd7 <br />
10. Bf4 Ndc5 11. 0-0 Nxd3=) <b>5.Nf3! d5 </b>(c5 6.dxc5 Na6 7.g3! <br />
Nxc5 8,Bg2 b6 [...Nce4 9. 0-0 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Be7 11. e4 d6 <br />
12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Qc7 14. Qe2 Bd6 15. Re1 Bd7 16.Bg5!N] <br />
9.0-0 Bxc3 10.Qxc3 Bb7 11.Rd1! <b> </b>Qe7 12.Qa3!<b> +/=) 6.a3 Bxc3 <br />7.Qxc3 dxc4 </b><b>8.Qxc4 b6 </b><b>9.Bg5 </b><b>Ba6 10.Qa4 h6 </b><b>11.Bh4 c5 <br />12.dxc5 bxc5 13.Rc1</b> += <br />
And so on; and yes, this is a <b><i>Nimzo-Indian</i></b> :)</div>
<div>
<br />
Alternatively, <b>1. c4 c5</b>?!<b> (<i>Symmetrical English</i>) 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 </b><br />
<b>g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 <br />Nxc3 9. Bc4 Nd5 10. Bxd5 e6 11. Bxc6+ 5 bxc6 12. O-O <br />Qd5 13. Be3 +/=</b><br />
<br />
(*) in the end Black can always equalize but it is not always easy<br />
<br />
PS fundamentally the moves <b>1.d4 and 1.Nf3 are</b> just as good, after <br />
<b>1.d4</b> Black can also opt for the <b><i>Slav defense</i></b>; after a few moves <br />
White as (super-) GM probably can best choose the 'Anti-Moscow' <br />
gambit, where there still is some more theory to be found. And after <br />
<b>1.d4</b> Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 we get the <b><i>Nimzo-Indian</i></b> again after 3...Bb4 <br />
(then 4.Qc2! is advised).<br />
After <b>1.Nf3</b> (<i><b>Reti</b></i>) Black has several choices besides letting White <br />
transpose to <i>Slav,</i> an interesting possibility now is to go for the <br />
<i>Queens-Indian, </i>after 1..e6! 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 b6 and if you know the <br />
latest intricacies of this defense, it still can be a very solid defense.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-63840791799720045312015-10-23T05:22:00.001-07:002015-10-23T05:22:43.477-07:00New Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
A new review for my chess book:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RGCAKZKBKLQQU/" target="_blank">latest Amazon review (five stars)</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-12458397723237450562015-08-21T20:29:00.002-07:002015-09-09T13:55:12.064-07:00small update (for the chess book)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
a few corrections;<br />
<br />
Having looked at some transpositions in some more detail, i<br />
will re-arrange some chapters in mybook in the positional<br />
repertoire; after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6!? 3. Bf4, Black may still<br />
have some problems after all, although i had analyzed such stuff. <br />So after 1.d4 Black can probably better play d5! going for the Slav<br />
(2. c4 c6! but then Black can also throw in a dubious Albin gambit<br />
2...e5 no big deal. And 2.Nf3 still is possible, but then after 2...Nf6<br />
3.c4 c6! Black is going for the solid Slav defense again<br />
<br />
Secondly there's another possible improvement, in the Moscow <br />line, After Bxf6 Qxf6 instead of the neutral 8.e3 because<br />
of the strong defense systems with ...g6!, White might better<br />
go for the <b>Hastings variation</b> with 7,Qb3!?, although<br />
also then Black can equalize, for example:<br />
<br />
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3 a5 8. e3 a4! 9. Qc2 a3 10. b3 Bb4 11. Bd3 Nd7 12. O-O O-O 13. Rac1 Qe7 14. Ne2 Ra5 15. Ng3 =<br />
<br />
so stay tuned,<br />
until the next update<br />
<br />
jef<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-17685012968626467562015-05-26T13:44:00.001-07:002015-05-26T13:46:53.856-07:00Further explanation of my book(s)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Because of some comments by readers some further<br />
explanation of the underlying thoughts in my book<br />
about chess openings seems worthwile:<br />
<br />
First of all, it should be noted that there are several<br />
parts in the book, one especially for beginners in<br />
opening theory (yet knowledgeable about the chess<br />
rules and basic play), one for intermediate players,<br />
and as two extra chapters, one with gambits for White,<br />
and the last one a positional repertoire with 1.d4.<br />
<br />
In all chapters the concept of a repertoire has been<br />
applied to reduce the number of variations to learn.<br />
Thereby in the first repertoire, for the beginners,<br />
the primary aim was simplicity, starting with 1.e4<br />
for White, and playing 1...e5 with Black.<br />
Note that the latter, Black repertoire also can be<br />
useful for intermediate players.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter, the repertoire for White with 1.e4<br />
has been assembled in such a way that White intends<br />
to play the strongest move, no matter what Black's<br />
response is. These strong moves for White were found<br />
by extensive computer analysis, fine-tuning of the opening<br />
database, and back-solving, during many iterations, as well<br />
as comparing it with opening theory such as described<br />
in many GM books. As result a strong repertoire with 1.e4<br />
has been compiled. The worth of the book can be found<br />
already to a large extent in this repertoire for White, where<br />
many novelties were found, and some conclusions which do<br />
not seem to be known yet in other books. For example<br />
the strategy against the Berlin defense by playing first<br />
Rd1+, and then later h3. Or the move 9.g4! against the<br />
complicated Dragon variation, a move which fundamentally<br />
seems the best, as result of my comprehensive analysis.<br />
<br />
The same method was used in the intermediate Black repertoire,<br />
using the more positional French defense as additional weapon,<br />
besides the sharp repertoire with 1...e5 which already was given.<br />
Also here some new results were obtained, e.g. refraining<br />
from the Winawer, because White seems to be able to get<br />
an advantage against this variation. Yet also aiming for<br />
some simplicity, thus having chosen the Burn variation<br />
instead of the more complicated Mac-Cutcheon for Black.<br />
<br />
In addition, the gambit repertoire with possibilities<br />
after 1.e4 for sharp play, not only was computer checked,<br />
but assembled after in-depth analysis, and thus may<br />
contain many novelties and surprises for the opponent.<br />
An ideal repertoire for blitz play, or against a weaker opponent.<br />
<br />
Finally, the positional repertoire with 1.d4, was mostly<br />
put together with the same principles, aiming for the<br />
strongest variations. Yet more complicated play as with<br />
the Catalan has been avoided, and a rather ' positional'<br />
variation as the Moscow Semi-slav (Bg5 h6 Bxf6) was<br />
chosen instead of the complicated anti-Moscow gambit.<br />
Nevertheless, in those instances that this variation comes<br />
on the board, when Black does not know the strongest defense<br />
(using a later ...g6 move and a fianchetto), White has good<br />
chances of maintaining a slight positional advantage.<br />
<br />
Thus this repertoire is intended for the more advanced<br />
players at intermediate players, who now and then like<br />
to play 1.d4 instead of 1.e4, e.g. against stronger players,<br />
and thus broadening their overall knowledge of openings.<br />
<br />
In a next book i might describe the strongest repertoire<br />
in chess, which contains of the Sicilian against e4,<br />
and using 1.d4 d5 2.c4 and a subsequent Catalan or Slav<br />
starting with Nc3 instead of Nf3 as in the current book.<br />
Whereby it should be noted that such theory is still<br />
changing year by year, thus making it quite an endeavour<br />
to aim for the very 'best' openings, in a book which will<br />
last for years.<br />
<br />
The current book however, with the solid and strong<br />
variations, is not expected to be subject to many<br />
fundamental changes again, and thus should last for<br />
decades or longer (in a few instances where I found<br />
a slight improvement in the repertoire, I intend to<br />
update this in further editions; such minor revisions<br />
will not change the overall content of the book (containing<br />
of a kindle version on Amazon, and a paperback version<br />
which contains an appendix with more detailed variations<br />
at the end, sold not only on Amazon but also Barnes&Nobles)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-chess-openings-jef-kaan/1121347656" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-chess-openings-jef-kaan/1121347656</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-64717820636753263982015-05-09T03:03:00.002-07:002015-05-09T03:04:17.907-07:00Revised version<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
having discovered still some little mistakes in the chess notation<br />
in the beginner's chapter, we revised the previous editions:<br />
<br />
now on Kindle:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Chess-Openings-intermediate-levels-ebook/dp/B00WKE1HJC/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Learning the Chess Openings, Kindle version</a><br />
<br />
Ofcourse the paperback version also has been update,<br />
and the price reduced (!):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Chess-Openings-intermediate-levels-ebook/dp/B00WKE1HJC/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Better Chess openings (paperpack)</a><br />
<br />
<br />
NB this basically is the same book as the Kindle book above, but<br />
in addition a table with openings for beginners and intermediate<br />
players (Black and White) has been added at the end.<br />
<br />
It also is for sale on Lulu.com<br />
<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/jef-kaan/better-chess-openings/paperback/product-22147424.html" target="_blank">Lulu version (paperback)</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-71540355153986573652015-02-02T12:04:00.003-08:002015-02-02T12:04:55.690-08:00Social media<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
gradually now started to use Twitter,<br />
and -sometimes- following some tweets about chess<br />
or by other writers, not only about chess.<br />
<br />
so if you like to 'follow' me (for brief messages<br />
eg about computer chess) the account is:<br />
<br />
twitter@KecJef<br />
<br />
see you - i.e. some of the readers here-<br />
there maybe :)<br />
<br />
jef<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-35037131700892002922014-11-22T04:07:00.001-08:002014-11-22T04:08:52.505-08:00Kindle version on Amazon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now my E-book also is available as kindle version on Amazon:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PULUACW" target="_blank">Kindle E-book about chess openings</a><br />
<br />
Still finetuning the layout a bit,<br />
but i'ts already readable quite well,<br />
<br />
jef</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-55695651522670422632014-11-18T07:42:00.001-08:002014-11-19T06:43:02.923-08:00Learning Chess Openings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>New version of the E-book: </u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(now called) <b>Learning the Chess Openings </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And that's what it's all about , anyway:)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-----------------------------------------------</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/learning-the-chess-openings" target="_blank">kindle (.mobi) version available at kobo:</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/246896598/LEARNING-the-CHESS-OPENINGS" target="_blank">Epub version online at scrib.com:</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-the-chess-openings-jef-kaan/1120792001" target="_blank">Nook version at Barnes&Nobles:</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id942631996" target="_blank">ibook for Apple Mac or Ipad at::</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not only learning chess openings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">but *improved* openings !</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">jef</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-19284396564198944892014-09-08T06:26:00.000-07:002014-09-26T07:57:11.494-07:00New book about openings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote cite="mid:540DABB5.9020604@ziggo.nl" type="cite">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Just released my first E-book, and of-course it's about chess,</span></blockquote>
<blockquote cite="mid:540DABB5.9020604@ziggo.nl" type="cite">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in particular opening theory, especially geared at beginner level</span></blockquote>
but also above, at average chess club level, until IM or so.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b> </b><a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/jef-kaan/better-chess-openings/ebook/product-21796094.html" style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Better Chess Openings E-book </b> (.pdf)</a></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><br /></u></span></b>
<br />
<blockquote cite="mid:540DABB5.9020604@ziggo.nl" type="cite">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For beginning - intermediate chess players, or those who want to learn it,
and then it's dealing only with the specialty called opening theory. No e-pub version (yet).</span></blockquote>
<br />
(The only book at this level, as far as i know, with selected B & W variations for beginners via the 'repertoire' method ; also a rare book with diagrams with Black at the bottom, when it is Blacks move to play(*); thereby a high amount of - colored- diagrams to be an ideal learning tool.)<br />
<blockquote cite="mid:540DABB5.9020604@ziggo.nl" type="cite">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NB planning to release a printed book (paper) version </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">before the end of the year (2014), possibly via Ingram Spark, but if there is any (Chess-)publisher having interest, then they can contact me. Probably both a color version</span> (expensive) and a B&W version (cheap) are foreseen.</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jef </span><br />
<blockquote cite="mid:540DABB5.9020604@ziggo.nl" type="cite">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<br />
PS writing the book did cost time, but the underlying research has taken me some 15 years,
and that's basically where the worth </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of the book is in. Thereby also more advanced variations were investigated as Slav and Sicilian for Black, but i decided to split the book up into two parts, the first one for beginners to master level. Second part planned is from master to GM level, but i'm not in a hurry to publish that.</span></blockquote>
PS 2 About the first book, the current one, while<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> some people may object to the concept of finding and specifying the 'best' opening moves, my experience in correspondence chess, now at masterlevel on ICCF, has taught me it indeed is a valuable and useful concept; which works! In other words, it is a useful concept, and if it works in correspondence chess, you cannot go wrong by using (or even memorizing) such a repertoire in normal chess; although it might take some time to learn/master it. And GM's usually are at such higher levels</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and preoccupied in their own struggles against their fellow GM's</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that they usually are not suitable on an educational level</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to explain opening theory to beginneers (besides few</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">exceptions, but such books are rare). As for the recommended</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lines in my books, well</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">most chess players are independent enough i <br />suppose to experiment sometimes with other variations. <br />Well at least in my book i've provided now some clear <br />guidelines for the basic lines especially for beginners !</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(*) a logical thing to do, obviously , but Chessbase does not</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">have such a feature, contrary to Chesspad for example</span><br />
<blockquote cite="mid:540DABB5.9020604@ziggo.nl" type="cite">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span>
</blockquote>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-11851967183807486352014-07-22T07:32:00.003-07:002014-07-22T07:32:40.409-07:00Update of Bookbuilder program <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Recently made an update of the Bookbuilder program (4.2)<br />
Now more than 900 thousand position in the default book.<br />
It now gives a reasonable accurate overview of the 'best'<br />
opening variations or defenses , after 1.d4! 1.e4 or 1.Nf3.<br />
<br />
Add variation name possible again (it had disappeared<br />
in the previous version).<br />
<br />
The 'demo' version on shareit.com is a fully functional<br />
version, working for 14 days.<br />
<br />
jef<br />
<br />
PS nowadays playing with the Stockfish engine on ICC,<br />
with a 17Mb book made for the Chesspartner interface.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-42074852111803240342012-11-15T11:09:00.001-08:002012-11-15T11:35:23.240-08:00A little test<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjPYwgt-v9F_X0cc1wMysOrQBGZs_Rx9DV8dg-X2vTmilAYQMFbXwl8yy62CY6gx9J89HOneDPJMebR9uiXSbxxLnG-1VdaPZMwbUz11dkNUgbYP3UQemhwlruBRdunba1FXH/s1600/houdini-test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="89" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjPYwgt-v9F_X0cc1wMysOrQBGZs_Rx9DV8dg-X2vTmilAYQMFbXwl8yy62CY6gx9J89HOneDPJMebR9uiXSbxxLnG-1VdaPZMwbUz11dkNUgbYP3UQemhwlruBRdunba1FXH/s400/houdini-test.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Above test games were played with time control 40 moves in 40 minutes,
on Quad HP9300 with 3 cores, no pondering.
Note that Houdini.2 was a modified version, whereby I had
improved some values with the Houdini-config tool. And with the
Houdini-2 engine, I used my ChessPartner (CP) userbook (about 16Mb),
whereby with the new Houdini-3 engine, I used the 'Perfect2012' book by
Sedat Canbaz version for ChessPartner(CP).
Although these 'perfect' books by Canbaz already are quite good, with
previous tests with more games, I concluded my book is
about 50 points better. Nb the worst books, like
the default CP book is worse, at least
50 rating points worse than 'perfect'.
<br>
So whats' the fuzz about new engine releases ? 50 points rating
improvement isnt that much, it can also be achieved with better books,
hardware and so on. But yes you can use all together as well
obviously if you're really fanatic..
And better engines -like Houdini3-certainly help me
to improve my opening books. So now eagerly waiting
for the Komodo5-mp release; end 2013 maybe ?? :)<br>
(will they catch up with Houdini ?)
<br>
And when i get some more time i'll see if i can compare
my books with the strong Hiarcs14 book, which is in Chessbase
(.ctg) format. First step is to compare the 'Perfect' with the
Hiarcs14 book, if Hiarcs also is about 50 points better
then i will conclude my CP book is equally good as the Hiarcs book.
But maybe later i'll see if i can make a .ctg book myself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-71871337944537577302012-11-13T15:05:00.001-08:002012-11-15T09:37:52.678-08:00Houdini hype, new theory ?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Recently a new update of the top-engine Houdini-3 was released,
and i have analyzed the endnodes of my medium-sized Bookbuilder
book with this engine. Subsequently backsolved, and the new book
can be downloaded as part of the trial-package for Bookbuilder
at <b><a href="http://superchess.com"></a>www.superchess.com</b>
<br>
See link to download, and then -on new page- download 'demo'-version
which is fully functioning program for a period of 14 days.
Whereby I updated many booklines, i don't claim this is the ultimate theory now, but for intermediate players it gives a good repertoire.
For the rest did quite some work on the E-book
Chess opening theory, renewed, an innovative
approach, for all levels!
<br><p>
Playing with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 against the Queens-Indian
with 3.Nf3 b6 (3...d5 4.Nc3 also is good for White) 4.g3! (main line) leads to strong play for White, with my recent analysis; but Black will be able
to equalize, if he/she knows precisely what to do. Which will be
described in detail in our E-book about opening theory. So the Catalan with 3.g3 also remains a good choice for advanced players, and we found many novelties
which are specified in the latest version of our book. Black can also deviate
with 2...c6! going for the Slav or 2...g6 (Gruenfeld), but the 'best' lines
found with computer analysis also are given in the E-book.
<br><p>
For those who register for the Bookbuilder program
the latest version of the E-book will be sent.
With lots of novelties, years ahead of current
published theory!
<br>
Until end of 2012 with a reduction, thereafter i
probably release a Bookbuilder-pro package in
addition to the normal Bookbuilder, which will
contain my ultrastrong handtuned Chess-Partner
opening book, which contains years of work
and has been checked against other theoretical
works such as the Hiarcs14 book, several GM
repertoire (paper)books from Quality Chess,
and so on. But the price for the 'pro version
will be higher, obviously
Good luck with your chess,<br>
jef
<br>
<p>
PS obviously only with minimax you don't get a
really 'playable' computer chess book with statistics,
but i have used the info about the best lines to
develop a book for the Chess Partner interface,
and there the book choice is made by a combination
of learned score, statistics, and times played.
PS coming weeks I am going to check/improve the
book by analyzing (EPD) nodes in the book and
then importing them again via the special book correction
module in Bookbuilder3.6 (adding the position after one
move more, and then backsolving the whole lot again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-14357446904013704072012-01-07T00:12:00.000-08:002012-02-09T19:41:49.559-08:00Bogo-CatalanBest wishes for 2012 !<br />
<br />
update: <br />
not nr one anymore on ICC; because of the faster <br />
comps of the other guys i'm scoring more draws, and <br />
the rating has gone down a bit. No problem, <br />
the book is still ok, and when i get a faster comp<br />
the rating will go up again, currently i'm not<br />
getting benefits of the Houdini 2 Pro feature Numa<br />
for which a more modern comp is required.<br />
<br />
Recently done some research into the Catalan, which<br />
appears quite strong for white. Ofcourse black can<br />
avoid the Catalan by playing Slav or Gruenfeld, <br />
but black can also simply play an anti-Catalan<br />
usually transposing to Bogo-Indian with g3:<br />
<br />
d4 Nf6 <br />
c4 e6<br />
g3! Bb4!<br />
Bd2<br />
and now after Be7 (or Bxd2 Qxd2) Nf3 we transpose to <br />
Bogo-Indian, the variation which g3. White also can <br />
delay the Nf3 move however, with moves like Nc3 and<br />
Bg2, and then its officialy not (yet) a Bogo-Indian.<br />
<br />
So i call it the Bogo-Catalan :)<br />
<br />
one of the preferred defenses maybe against<br />
the Catalan ! More explanation/analysis maybe<br />
later. Good luck with your opening play <br />
(e4 for beginners, and d4 for advanced)<br />
<br />
jef<br />
<br />
PS 4.Nd2 also is possible, but then the pawn on c4 gets lost;<br />
white then gets compensation but probably not enough <br />
to get a structural advantage<br />
<br />
NB after a later ..d5 by black we transpose to the<br />
Catalan again, and this variation .. Bb4+ Bd2 Be7<br />
also is mentioned in GM Avrukhs book GM repertoire <br />
part 1, chapter 10. And he calls it one of the <br />
strongest defences against the Catalan indeed..Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-80689007781966948042010-12-23T05:43:00.000-08:002011-02-16T14:02:29.716-08:00Number One (on ICC)(mainly) as result of the strong Houdini 1.5 engine(*), but <br />also due to the recent improvements in my Chess Partner book,<br />got a new 'standard' rating record of about 3050 on the<br />Internet Chess Club (ICC) with my 'bookbuilder' account, <br />on 28 December 2010, and nr 1 rating <br />for standard (rapid and slower_ play) !<br /><br />On a 'simple' Quad comp, while there are some 6 core<br />comps around (with often an intel icore extreme), so <br />using a good book, does it matter ? <br /><br />Yes, indeed it matters, especially at higher levels<br />of play (i.e. slower time controls, like in standard),<br />this now simply is proven in actual play,<br />and it makes sense, a chain is as weak as its weakest<br />part, and for a chess program this means everything has<br />to be without weaknesses, opening book, middlegame <br />(engine) practical endgame (engine) and theoretical<br />endgame (tablebases); have a lousy book, and against<br />a similar or even slightly weaker engine the <br />game can be lost, it makes a difference +/- 100<br />Elo or so, is my experience..but above a certain<br />level you can't increase improvement ofcourse <br />anymore, some booklines are perfect, others<br />are weak, and to some extent you can tune it <br />for the engine, playing style blitz/standard,<br />but thereafter its up to the engine (and the<br />hardware ofcourse); some concrete examples later<br />as i'm currently testing my CP book against<br />other CP books offline (preliminary results:<br />about 63 % with my recent book, vs 37% with<br />the older , general CP book, with the<br />same engine. How much Elo difference that is,<br />you may calculate.. <br />:)<br /><br />until next time, <br /><br />jef<br /><br />PS (*) quite an improvement now with Houdini,<br />and it plays especially well in the endgame, so with<br />a good book, achieving a slight advantage after the<br />opening, a reasonable (but not extremely) fast comp,<br />maintaining the advantage, Houdini often converts<br />such a slight advantage to a win in the endgame,<br />especially in slow (standard) games.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12485941.post-74034725267257840492010-12-15T12:40:00.000-08:002010-12-15T12:47:00.082-08:00intermediate repertoireHaving found some better repertoire for advanced players,<br />and simplified the 1.e4 repertoire for beginners (exchange<br />RL instead of closed RL), a repertoire for intermediate/<br />average players was still lacking.<br /><br />So, using some more recent analysis with Rybka4, i added<br />such a repertoire in my book 'better chess opening play',<br />and now advise the Petrov (e5 e5 Nf3 Nf6!) against e4,<br />instead of the Ruy Lopez (RL). Whereas i found it to be<br />more solid, it also avoids variations as Scotch, Giuoco <br />Piano, and many related gambits. <br /><br />For further info see the book, a new version now has been<br />uploaded, and is available for registered users of Bookbuilder.<br /><br />NB End of year 2010 special offer:<br />50 % price reduction !<br /><br />While the book is not finished yet, i'm sure the latest<br />version can help you ie most chess players except super GM's<br />a lot in your chess play, and i also am getting to get <br />some positive feedback (eg from one user in the USA:<br />"excellent E-book") .<br />And you'll get a download link to the hugebook as well,<br />which you can use to practice a bit with your own repertoire<br />(you'll quickly discover that the advised repertoire in<br />the book is based on many novelties, and profound modern <br />chess analysis, having used the absolute top engines)<br /><br />until later,<br />kecUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0