The Fool's Gambit


Book Description

Arianna Burke made a deal with the devil. Or someone like him. Something. Imbued with power uncommon to other Mambos-voodoo priestesses-she has become a hidden weapon for New Orleans' vampire elite. For years, the extent of Ari's power has remained carefully under wraps. Until her temper flares with fatal results at the inaugural ball for Emilio De Laurentis, the vampires' new North American Emperor, resulting in a royal proclamation naming her as the Emperor's personal assassin. But when a mysterious trickster vampire, refusing to be upstaged, plays the prank of the century on Emilio and his guests, Ari finds herself caught up in much more than infernal pacts and vampire politics. It's not long before the vendetta becomes personal. For her. Ari must find-and kill-the jester vampire known only as Orin. A job that should be easy. Would be. If only her target wasn't so funny, sexy-and terrifying as hell.




A New Treatise on Chess


Book Description




The Magic of Ruin Mist


Book Description

Readers all over the world are discovering the works of Robert Stanek. Filled with mystery, intrigue, adventure, and magic the books transport readers to a world unlike any other. In this insightful book, you get the real scoop on Robert Stanek. From his childhood days to his recent success with the Ruin Mist books, this outstanding book sheds new light on his life and his struggle to excel as a writer. His story is a story of hope and dreams, and in many ways, reading this book is like visiting with an old friend. You'll laugh and you'll cry and you'll be enchanted. And that's just the beginning. You also get a complete collector's guide to the Ruin Mist books, complete rules for playing King's Mate, and more.




The Art of Chess-play


Book Description




Faulkner’s Gambit


Book Description

This book offers the first full-length study of the chess structures, motifs, and imagery in William Faulkner's Knight's Gambit . Wainwright looks at the importance of chess as a literary device and examines the structural analogy drawn between the game and linguistics by Ferdinand de Saussure.







The Italian Gambit (and) A Guiding Repertoire For White - E4!


Book Description

New ideas, technical novelties an more on the age old Italian game with 4,d4!, allowing the sharp and forcing "Italian Gambit" to emerge. This move, a surprising one to many, transforms the classic "Giouco Piano" or literally the quiet game into anything but its revered and somewhat sedate namesake. Black's third move, 3...Bc5 seems "safe" and allows the second player plenty of time to develop (quietly) for positional play. This will occur on White playing almost any reasonable move, except for the center assaulting initiative gaining 4.d4!...being the main focus of this endeavor. 4.d4! is clearly a forcing move, Black must react! Whatever unfolds from this point, White will have central control, lead in development, the initiative and it is White not Black who will get the first emerging opportunitites. Accurate play by Black is necessary to hold and neutralize the initial gains of opposition, and it will be difficult to demonstrate anything better than equality, or that White cannot claim real compensation for the gambit pawn. This Book involves no less than three (3) years of study, Master analysis; including complete computer verification of all important variations. Volume II This masterful work is short, yet concise and to the point, guiding the 1.e4 player in handling and management of all of Black's classing opening responses. 1. Nf6 - Alekhine's 1. e6 - French 1. d6 - Pirc 1. d5 - Scandinavian 1. c6 - Caro Kann 1. c5 - Sicilian 1. Nc6 - Nimzowitsch These lines have been studied and developed over many years by the venerable Chess Master and teacher Jude Acers, they are the essential and recommended lines for all play that commences 1.e4, but are especially effective for the new "limited" time controls in present and future tournament play. All levels, whether they be the first or second side of the board will discover fresh arsenals for both attack and defense. As White, once you embrace (and you will) these "to the point" openings, this book will take you via clear reference to the sources of future study. As Black, you must be prepared. The reader will not be overwhelmed by masses of theory or endless analytical variations, but shall discover how and where to find such material. - A clear opening guide for the newer player - A no nonsense opening system for the more advanced player - New concepts for the Upper Echelon of chess to meet the coming evolution of "Knockout" and "less time" in serious tournament play. - STAY ON TOP, become a world super star in the global phenomena of mass appeal. Author: Jude Acers For more information please visit www.italiangambit.com "There is brand new theory and some re-discoveries of old forgtten games and ideas...This is a very rich book." "The Miami Variation (1. e4 e52.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d4 Bxd4 5. Nxd4 Nxd4 6. Be3[6.0-0 Nf6 could transpose to Koltanowski's line]) was the brainchild of amateur George Laven." Review by FIDE Master Allan Savage, SQUARES Magazine (Fall issue, 2003) FOREWORD by NM Randy Bauer To read Jeremy Silman's review of this book please visit www.jeremysilman.com




The King's Gambit


Book Description

There was a time when the Kings Gambit was the favorite chess opening of every attacking player. In the glory days of Paul Morphy it was considered almost cowardly to play anything else. Legends such as Spassky and Bronstein kept the flame burning in the 20th century, but its popularity faded, as many players are wary of sacrificing a pawn for long-term compensation. There are honorable exceptions whose games prove that this ancient weapon can still draw blood: Morozevich, Short, Zvjaginsev and ex-US Champion Yury Shulman are world-class players who attack with the Kings Gambit.




The Juggler's Gambit


Book Description

It is not an easy life for an English juggler in Twelfth Century Spain. Survival means juggling, not only his knives, but dancing nimbly between the clash of cultures of the sophisticated Moors who conquered the land centuries earlier, the Christians who stubbornly fight to take back Spain, and the inscrutable Jews who have made a home there for over a millennium. Despite their irreconcilable differences the collision of the three cultures would produce Europe's highest civilization at the time and arguably the most preeminent in the world. When fate thrusts upon an itinerant juggler a secret that can change the world all three great cultures will stop at nothing to possess it. Will the street skills and cleverness acquired from a life on the road be enough for the juggler to accomplish his sworn mission and remain free?




In the Service of Dragons (The Complete Tetralogy)


Book Description

Four complete novels. Over 1,000 pages in print. In the Service of Dragons is the continuation of Robert Stanek's multilayered epic fantasy adventure for young adults that began with The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches. In his acclaimed The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches books, he introduced us to the story of Ruin Mist, an extraordinary world of magic, adventure, and intrigue. Now in the eagerly awaited follow-up, he once again proves himself a wonderful storyteller with a gift for fast pacing and believable storylines. Already hailed as a classic, Robert Stanek's powerful epic fantasy series has been enjoyed by readers all over the world. The Elves of the Reaches returned from exile, bringing grave news. War came to the Kingdoms, and many perished in the turmoil and unrest. An attempt was made to kidnap a princess and assassinate a king. Now, from the ancient past a dark power returns. "The Fourth Wind blows across the mountain tops," they say. And the Twelve Clans emerge from myth and memory. As prophecy becomes reality, the factions struggle for control only to further divide the lands. Some would say that it was foolish for King Andrew Alder to support the Elves of the Reaches and send men to aid their cause when Men in all lands were being put to the test of steel. And in the North, men back their words with action. Against a backdrop of treachery and intrigue, murder and mayhem, the price of freedom is high. Many will pay with their lives. Many will succumb to imprisonment and enslavement; for when alliances shatter, old hatreds rise anew and the plotting and scheming begin. Bold, inventive, brilliantly imagined, In the Service of Dragons is a novel of magic and wonder-a tale of pure excitement you will not soon forget. *** Links to individual books are included. Extras: Lost chapters and scenes restored; the meeting of Xith and Vilmos as originally written; the story of Ruin Mist completely unaltered to hint at the story's origins in ancient myth and legend. Premium full-color artwork will display as high-quality b+w on standard e-ink readers. "Robert Stanek is one of our most featured and respected Kids & Young Adults authors." -- The Audio Book Store "Word of mouth turned it into a bestseller. Very satisfying." -- The Fantasy Guide "A breathtaking world and an excellent epic fantasy series! This wonderful adventure reminds me of a cross between J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Tad Williams, and C. S. Lewis." "Stanek [has] a penchant for clear and simple prose. He also prefers swift, action-oriented scenes. Solidly built. Stanek moves among his main characters with ease, always switching at a climactic moment to maintain suspense. The accessible, brisk language keeps things moving." --Foreword Magazine "Sure to attract fans of graphic novels and classic Tolkien alike. Stanek will likely draw a cult following. This guarantees fans, and those fans will be ready to wield their swords against the Dark Lord in Stanek's next installment." -- VOYA, the leading magazine for Young Adult librarians.