Most chess players are fed a set of dogmatic rules about how the opening must be played. The result: stereotyped, unimaginative play. The opening surprises in this book land like bombshells in the apparent calm of standard openings and disorientate your opponents as they grapple with original problems. This book is a treasure-trove of unusual ideas at an early stage of the opening, yet running against the grain of conventional play. Each idea has quick-strike potential and is supported by enough concrete analysis to enable you to try it with confidence.

All major openings are covered. There are surprises for both White and Black, deeply researched and up-to-date. Each idea is assessed in terms of its soundness and its ability to surprise and shock. A thought-provoking introduction examines the underlying concepts of opening play and considers how the standard principles need to be modified in the light of the highly combative handling of the opening now favoured by the world's top players.

"Graham Burgess' "101 Chess Opening Surprises" explodes right in your face, with ideas in all openings ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous" - Lubosh Kavalek, WASHINGTON POST

"I have tried out three of Burgess' recommendations in recent tournaments - all the openings went well enough" - Douglas Bryson, SCOTTISH CHESS

"A book ... I almost wish I didn't have to recommend. I'd like to keep many of its little secrets all to myself" - Randy Bauer, RANDY'S REVIEWS

""If you desire to bamboozle your opponents, this book is definitely for you!" - Patrick Foley, BUSINESS DAY (South Africa)

"Useful when one is playing to a fast time-limit, as in league chess." - Peter Gibbs, BIRMINGHAM POST

"I was stunned by some of the author's ideas...excellent" - Paul Motwani, THE SCOTSMAN

"A collection of tricky little-known lines of play which can catch out even well prepared opponents" - Leonard Barden, EVENING STANDARD

"There is something here for every repertoire since GB has explored the highways and byways in search of material." - Jonathan Tait, BCCA

Download a pdf file with a sample from the book.

Gambit books by Graham Burgess: 101 Chess Opening Surprises, Chess Highlights of the 20th Century, Gambit Guide to the Torre Attack, The Slav, The Taimanov Sicilian, Chess Openings for Kids, The Gambit Book of Instructive Chess Puzzles, A Cunning Chess Opening Repertoire for White.