It'd be curious to know how they've sold, but my guess is they've probably done well. What else would've justified the series going the full distance and getting a revision for one of the two series?

I've invested an incredible amount of time into my repertoire's maintenance and continual improvement, which has included the OFWAK tomes. Many hours of study, learning, and finding improvements in addition to the ones that popped up in practice.

I've been ahead of the curve on both of his revised volumes, correctly nailing the lines he would choose to recommend in a few places over his old recommendations. This has been born of the approach of always trying to play what's critical, which is very much in the spirit of the series. 

I don't hold it against him that critical lines haven't held up as well over the years, because that's the nature of critical main lines. Most repertoire books end up out-of-date quickly when they pursue the main lines.

BPaulsen wrote on 07/01/10 at 06:44:12:


Well Opening for White according to Anand is done after volume 14. It has been a tremendous task, the first volume of the series was published in 2003! A lot of the sharp lines have become useless since but you can use it for getting a feel for main lines. For example I don't recall a comprehensive repertoire book for White covering the main lines of Ruy Lopez,. Khalifman's  work is the only one I rely on. 

However I am not worried that he won't do a rewrite of the Anand series. Our own GM Aagaard has promised a GM-rep for 1. e4. It will be 4 volumes and it will come out in 2010/2011.

@BPaulsen, according ChessStars website, vol 13 is This volume is "devoted mostly to the English Attack in the Najdorf system, that is the variation beginning with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e6 7.f3, and the Scheveningen variation 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 which is the senior twin-brother of the Najdorf system." I am not sure whether this covers the entire Najdorf complex as I am not a Najdorf player.

However, GM Khalifman indicates there will be a vol 14.

Re taking a break, I suppose, many chessplayers will be disappointed as they are hoping for a similar series on player for Black.

But yes, I agree and fully understand his desire to take a well-earned break. He indicates that he made a mistake agreeing to a revision of TOFWATKramnik. That is why he would never agree to a revision of the Anand series (it boggles the mind to revise 14 volumes!). Although I am only a novice, I had a look at TOFWATKramnik and I am happy with his writing style. Of course at my level, I don't need all the dense analysis but it was good to get an idea of the main lines from his bolded variations. He also pointed out the weak moves in the opening. However, if anyone wishes to use his books fully, they need to spend lots of time on it.

On reading the interview/Q&A, I am hoping he will write more on the topic of the "universal player". I understand Spassky has been described as such. Khalifman also indicates that in his opinion, Carlsen needs to become such a player if he wishes to become the world champion.

Crestbook (associated with GM Sergey Shipov) has posted an interview/Q&A session with GM Khalifman in three parts (posted on 14th June 2010).Part 1 has been translated by US NM Dana Mackenzie and is available herehttp://www.crestbook.com/node/1233. On Dana Mackenzie's blog, he announced he has translated Part 2 but I could not access it on Crestbook's site. Parts 2 and 3 are here (http://www.crestbook.com/node/1228 and http://www.crestbook.com/node/1256) in russian but Google Translator does a decent job.

For opening theory tagics, the big news is that TOFWATAnand will end with vol 14. Khalifman will finish the revised 2ed of TOFWATKramnik and take a break. He does not sound keen on a revision of TOFWATA. And has not committed himself to a series on openings for black.

Also note his "replies" on the validity of his world champion title.

Also of interest is his definition of genius in chess of which he names only three: Anand, Kramnik and Ivanchuk. No, Topalov is not a genius only a serious chess talent!

He also clarifies what he means by "School" or I suppose in Kasparov's terms, "chess culture".