The Chess Shop

The Chess Shop The Chess Shop - Chess, Bridge, Backgammon & Board Games. The #1 UK Chess retailer - books, sets, boards & gifts. Plus lessons, events & more!

The #1 UK Chess retail store - books, sets, boards & gifts. Plus Chess lessons, events & more! Unlike most online stores we also have a shop located in the heart of London where we hope to welcome you soon. Our mail order service is second to none and we ship worldwide. We pride ourselves in tech support after the sale and our team of chess experts will be pleased to advise you on any aspect of the game. Enjoy Shopping!

The new sales team here at The Shop are ready to serve and answer all your chess questions. Open now 7 days a week, vi...
05/09/2026

The new sales team here at The Shop are ready to serve and answer all your chess questions. Open now 7 days a week, visit us ♟🙏😀 Anna Cramling

Our new central store is now OPEN! Visit us at 38 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QY. We look forward to welcomi...
01/09/2026

Our new central store is now OPEN! Visit us at 38 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QY. We look forward to welcoming everybody again.

Paul Morphy: A Collection of His Games with Detailed Notesby Géza Maróczy, Foreword by Charles HertanThe Sheer Enjoyment...
07/08/2026

Paul Morphy: A Collection of His Games with Detailed Notes
by Géza Maróczy, Foreword by Charles Hertan

The Sheer Enjoyment of Paul Morphy

In the middle of the nineteenth century, a soft-spoken young man from New Orleans would upend the conventional chess world. Perplexing positional pressure coupled with breath-taking combinations would leave him virtually in a class by himself.

In 1909, Hungarian Grandmaster Géza Maróczy – himself a world-class player in the first decade of the 20th century – penned a wonderful compendium of all-known games of the American champion. The book, in German, was an instant success. And now (finally!) it is available in English.

The book contains over 400 games by Morphy, most deeply annotated by Maróczy. He uses a light hand when explaining the logical and positional concepts of the games, while not overlooking the historical background and context in which they were played.

In addition, a brief section on Morphy’s endgame skill has been added by GM Karsten Müller and a look from “a modern perspective” has been provided by GM Valeri Beim.

"Maróczy’s subtle, often poetic insights regarding Morphy’s greatness provide an indispensable perspective… Why read Maróczy’s magnum opus today? There are of course several good reasons, from a historical standpoint the book is a must-read… From a chess perspective, a complete collection of Morphy’s games makes a very deep impression… In short, there are a host of good reasons for chess lovers to celebrate Maróczy’s classic Paul Morphy, not the least of which is the sheer enjoyment of watching the incomparable maestro at play."
– From the Foreword by Charles Hertan, author of The Real Paul Morphy

About the Author
Hungarian Grandmaster Géza Maróczy (1870-1951) was among the elite of the chess world at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. In fact, in 1906, he and Emanuel Lasker had agreed to a title match, but the details could not be finalized. Capablanca noted that Maróczy was “one of the greatest masters of his time.”

ISBN: 978-1-963885-16-3, Paperback, 352 pages, Russell Enterprises

Available here with worldwide shipping:
https://chess.co.uk/collections/new-chess-products/products/paul-morphy-a-collection-of-his-games-with-detailed-notes-geza-maroczy

James Sherwin: The Life & Games of a Self-Taught WarriorAn autobiography by James Sherwin, games annotated by John Donal...
04/08/2026

James Sherwin: The Life & Games of a Self-Taught Warrior

An autobiography by James Sherwin, games annotated by John Donaldson, Foreword by Andy Soltis

Return with Us Now to Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear!

The 1950s and ‘60s were exciting times in American Chess. There were emerging stars whose influence would impact chess in the U.S. for decades. Among them were Larry Evans and Sam Reshevsky. And of course there was Bobby.

Among this eclectic group was James Sherwin. He was successful – very successful – in a way that almost certainly could not happen today. By day, plying his trade in the elite world of corporate finance and law. By night, doing battle in the 64-square trenches against some of America’s best players.

The author recounts his trial and tribulations on his journey through life, business and of course chess. There are 57 games annotated by IM John Donaldson who helps put Jim’s career in perspective. Photos and crosstables fill out this remarkable book. Indeed, return to those thrilling days of yesteryear with Jim Sherwin!

About the Author
International Master James Sherwin played in several U.S. Championships. In 1951, he was Intercollegiate Champion and New York State Champion and won the US Speed Championship in 1956-57 and 1959-60. Sherwin finished third and tied for third in four U.S. Championships. He played in the Portorož Interzonal in 1958. In 2021 he was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame. And, the first game in Fischer’s legendary My 60 Memorable Games was against Sherwin.

ISBN: 9781963885309, Hardback, 272 pages, Russell Enterprises

Available here with worldwide shipping:
https://chess.co.uk/collections/new-chess-products/products/james-sherwin-the-life-games-of-a-self-taught-warrior

NEW SHOP LOCATION CONFIRMED!The Chess & Bridge Retail Shop38 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QYWe're sorry our shop ...
03/08/2026

NEW SHOP LOCATION CONFIRMED!

The Chess & Bridge Retail Shop
38 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QY

We're sorry our shop relocation has taken longer than originally planned but we are now pleased to announce that we will be reopening as soon as possible at 38 Great Portland Street in central London.

The store isn't quite ready so please don't visit us just yet!

We'll be working extra hard to make the new shop as nice as possible and it'll take us some time to stock it with the 1000s of books, many sets and other board games we offer.

Watch this space for news on the opening date!

The Parker Chess SetParker Burnt Pieces, Luxury Walnut & Sycamore Board & Tournament BoxThese pieces are truly a unique ...
24/07/2026

The Parker Chess Set
Parker Burnt Pieces, Luxury Walnut & Sycamore Board & Tournament Box

These pieces are truly a unique design, the Parker Chessmen features highly varnished burnt boxwood pieces for both sides, with unburnt details on burnt wood for the Dark side, and burnt details on unburnt pieces for the White side. Highly distinctive, yet with a traditional Staunton pattern, these eye-catching pieces will stand out among any players' collection. The 3.75 inch king height is the standard tournament size which provides excellent visibility and a satisfying feel in hand. This set includes 2 extra queens for pawn promotion.

These beautiful pieces are paired with our Luxury Walnut and Sycamore Moulded Chess Board. One of the finest wooden boards in our range, made with high quality Walnut and Sycamore veneers, finished with a beveled walnut edging. The warm brown colour and light grain match particularly well with Acacia pieces for those who prefer less contrast between board and pieces. Rechapados Ferrer chess boards are used in the world chess championships organised by FIDE, World Chess, European Chess and US Chess Federation.

To complete this exquisite chess combination, our Tournament Wooden Chess Box is included to not only aesthetically coordinate with the pieces & board but to offer a practical storage solution. Your valuable pieces will never go missing being kept a felted storage box with a central divider so your Light & Dark pieces are always organised and ready to play.

available here with worldwide shipping:
https://chess.co.uk/collections/new-chess-products/products/the-parker-chess-set

Alexander Alekhine – The Russian Sphinx: Volume II (1921-1934)by Sergey VoronkovThe second volume of Sergey Voronkov’s e...
24/07/2026

Alexander Alekhine – The Russian Sphinx: Volume II (1921-1934)
by Sergey Voronkov

The second volume of Sergey Voronkov’s epic psychological biography of the fourth world champion covers the period in which Alekhine played his strongest chess and was at his most dominant. The author draws on contemporary publications from countries throughout the world to craft a living history of Alekhine’s thoughts, feelings, activities and career, as though viewed in a film.

The journey now takes us to his first years of exile in France, major international tournaments on both sides of the Atlantic, his rivalries with Rubinstein and Nimzowitsch, his training match with Euwe, the drama and tension of three world championship matches with Capablanca and Bogoljubov, and a host of simultaneous displays in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

One area explored in particular detail is Alekhine’s psychological approach to the match with Capablanca and how he adapted his style to win it.

84 games and fragments are presented, including 46 never before published in books, using contemporary commentary from the protagonists themselves and other well-known players, writers and journalists of the period. Extended commentary by Euwe, Nimzowitsch and Kmoch is prominent. The annotations are supported by modern engine analysis from International Master Dmitry Plisetsky.

This work is supplemented by over 100 photographs and drawings, many of which are also published in a book for the first time

ISBN Paperback 78-1-916839-13-7 / Hardback 978-1-916839-14-4, 502 pages, Elk & Ruby

Available here:
https://chess.co.uk/collections/new-chess-products/products/alexander-alekhine-the-russian-sphinx-volume-ii-1921-1934-sergey-voronkov

Chess Informant 168 - Signal LightIn this issue:IN MEMORIAM JAN TIMMAN (1951 – 2026) by Vitomir Božić and IM Goran Arsov...
21/07/2026

Chess Informant 168 - Signal Light

In this issue:

IN MEMORIAM JAN TIMMAN (1951 – 2026) by Vitomir Božić and IM Goran Arsović
FIDE MEN'S CANDIDATES TOURNAMENT PEYIA 2026 by FM Ivan Martić
FIDE WOMEN'S CANDIDATES TOURNAMENT PEYIA 2026 by WGM Sabina Foişor
PRAGUE INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL 2026 by IM Yochannan Afek
SAINT LOUIS MASTERS 2026 by GM Miloš Perunović
REYKJAVIK OPEN 2026 by FM Csaba Zoltan Varga
A LOOK AT ROOK ENDGAMES by FM Milan Jocev & FM B. Djurasevic
ROGERS' REMINISCENCES by GM Ian Rogers

Traditional sections:

* The best game and most important theoretical novelty from the previous Volume
* Endgames
* Combinations
* 200 games + fragments according to ECO Codes.

The periodical that pros use with pleasure is at the same time a must have publication for all serious chess students!

Chess Informant no. 168, softcover, 264 pages

Available here with worldwide shipping:
https://chess.co.uk/collections/new-chess-products/products/chess-informant-168-signal-light

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W1W8QY

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