Delchev's Practical Opening Manual - Volume 1

What does it take to become an expert in opening preparation? 

How can we learn the secret methods which allow the top players to dominate everyone else in the opening? 

Books can hardly be useful in this regard because modern books on openings, regardless of the level of the author, are very standard and straightforward. The title of this book claims to answer this question. Your author will then back up his claim with proof in the form of analysis from a strong engine. You are then left to decide whether or not to include these ideas in your opening repertoire. 

What is missing is some sort of guidance and advice relating to what sorts of tour­naments and against what sorts of players this idea should be employed. Moreover, every one of you has likely noticed that even the best opening idea still has a rela­tively short life span and can hardly be used in more than a few games. So far I have published about 10 books on openings and for me it is not a problem to publish another 10 or even more. However, in the modern era I believe the lifespan of an opening book is incredibly short as new games are constantly being played and new ideas are being found. 1 feel it would be much more useful to you if I uncover a new approach to opening preparation, which will be more long-lasting and will improve your play as well. 

The method of opening preparation I have used throughout my entire chess-playing career {1997 - 2018) allowed me, with relatively little effort, to be unpredictable the re by winning the psychological battle of the opening. Luring my opponents into prepared opening tricks and traps was great fun ! 

In the method which I will introduce you to in this book, the first and most im­portant aspect is adapting your approach to each individual opponent and perfect prediction of the opponent's opening choice, to the smallest details. 

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 Šarić 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.