Delchev's Practical Opening Manual - Volume 1

• The openings presented in this book are the Scandinavian, Pirc and Modern.


• We presented the material in complete games rather than just publishing my own analysis for the following reasons. While you are studying the opening you will be able to familiarize yourself with the history of the variation, developed by the best players of every generation, and we see their contribution to modern chess theory: Fischer, Spassky, Tak, Botvinnik, Petrosian, Korchnoi and many other chess legends.


• You will see in practice how to realize an opening advantage, rather than just see +=or+- at the end of the variation and be left wondering why.


• Every game shows typical methods of attack in the given opening: sacrifice of a pawn for the initiative, attack with opposite-side-castling, attacking plans in specific pawn structures which are frequently seen in this opening variation.


• Every chapter begins with the general ideas of the opening and concludes with a selection of 30 combinations for you to solve which are typical for the corresponding opening.


• This book is appropriate for players of any level. Anyone can extract the maximum practical use from this book and have fun at the same time.

Alexander Delchev is a highly accomplished chess player, coach, and organizer with a wealth of experience in the chess world.

Born on July 15, 1971, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Delchev earned the title of International Master (IM) in 1988 and later became a Grandmaster (GM) in 1998. He has held the position of FIDE Instructor (FI) from 2014 to 2016 and has been a FIDE Senior Trainer (FST) since 2016, showcasing his commitment to chess education.

Delchev views chess not only as a game but also as a means to foster personal development and character building. He believes in the game's educational benefits, promoting qualities like critical thinking, initiative, and long-term planning. Through chess, he emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, goal setting, fair play, and responsibility.

In terms of personal achievements, Delchev has a remarkable track record. He has won the Bulgarian Chess Championship four times--in 1994, 1996, 2001, and 2019--and has represented Bulgaria in numerous international competitions, including ten Chess Olympiads and two European Team Championships. Additionally, he has been an active player in various chess clubs across Europe.

Delchev's coaching career, which began in 2008, is equally impressive. He has coached notable players such as Ivan Saric and Vaibhav Suri, contributing to their success on the international stage. He has also worked with top Bulgarian players like Antoaneta Stefanova and Ivan Cheparinov. Delchev's coaching experience extends to serving as a coach, captain, and organizer at various chess clubs and events, including the World Chess Olympiad and the FIDE Women's World Team Championship.

Beyond playing and coaching, Delchev has demonstrated his organizational skills by organizing over ten chess tournaments and launching initiatives like the ChessBomb Tour 2017, which featured live broadcasts of each tournament. He is also a promoter of the "Chess for Everybody" program, widely adopted in Bulgarian chess clubs.

As an author, Delchev has contributed significantly to chess literature with several best-selling books, covering various opening repertoires and strategic concepts. He is fluent in multiple languages, including Bulgarian, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Serbian, and Russian.

Delchev completed his technical secondary education in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1989, laying the foundation for his multifaceted career in chess. Overall, Alexander Delchev stands as a prominent figure in the chess community, making significant contributions as a player, coach, organizer, author, and advocate for chess education.