Opening preparation is useful, but understanding the middlegame is much more important. This book, an improved edition of a Russian classic, teaches amateur chess players 45 extremely effective skills in a crystal-clear manner.Quite a few of the ideas presented here will surprise the reader, because they offer solutions for problems the club player is only subconsciously aware. How do you activate your rook pawn? How do you prevent your opponent from opening a file? How do you rest...

The Basman-Sale Variation is a relatively unexplored weapon for Black in the Sicilian Defence. After the perfectly normal moves 1.e4 c5, 2. Nf3 e6, 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Black lashes out with 4…Bc5! English IM Michael Basman and Croatian IM Srdjan Sale were the pioneers of this cunning chess opening system. The advantages are clear: it is surprising, aggressive and easy to learn. Compared to the complexity of mainstream Sicilian variations it requires little theoretical preparation, while you...

Epic and atmospheric, this addictive debut novel takes us into an intoxicating world of old money, privilege, and family intrigue as a young heiress must return home from a decade-long exile to face the powerful enemies arrayed against her, including those within her own family.For the first eleven years of her life, the precocious daughter of a great European family tracing its roots back more than fifteen generations never set foot on land that her family didn’t ...

A ruthless billionaire mafia boss. His beautiful, defiant assistant. Every kiss feels like a crime.WillaFor two years I've been Dante Moretti's perfect assistant—fetching espresso, filing reports, pretending his empire was legitimate. Then I uncovered the truth. Every meeting I scheduled masked a hit. Every account I balanced laundered blood money.I should run. Instead, I stay. Smile. Plot.The most dangerous part? I still want him.

Let your cake decorating skills bloom with help from the world-renowned experts and authors of The Contemporary Buttercream Bible.Learn to pipe one-hundred different buttercream flowers—from azaleas to zinnias—to showcase on your cakes with this complete visual reference book. Each flower is demonstrated on a cupcake, with five full-scale projects to show you how to combine your flowers into a masterpiece cake.In this aspirational yet accessible gu...

A lick-the-bowl-clean buttercream icing recipe, plus seven delicious alternatives, including two vegan versions, from the authors of 100 Buttercream Flowers.This short book features a tried and tested "crusting" buttercream recipe from the bestselling authors of Queen of Hearts Couture Cakes, along with seven unique alternatives, including vegan and sugar-free versions. Learn how to make Italian meringue, Swiss meringue, French meringue, German, Ermine, be...

What if healing didn't mean being "fixed," but finally feeling safe enough to live your life?Many trauma survivors believe healing should eventually make everything feel normal again. But for those living with complex trauma and dissociation, healing often looks very different. It can be slow, confusing, and deeply lonely.At twenty-two, Chelsey Valeri believed she understood pain. But when life asked more of her than she knew how to give, her body began res...

**What does it mean to lose your way? And how does a human being find direction again?**In *The Dark Wood: Dante and the Art of Human Orientation*, Sebastian Valeri takes readers on a journey through Dante's *Divine Comedy*, not as a medieval poem confined to the past, but as one of humanity's most profound maps of the inner life.Beginning in the dark wood where Dante discovers himself lost, this book explores the enduring questions that shape every human existence: desire,...

The youngest daughter of a secretive dynasty returns from a decade in exile, but will her ancestral home become her prison? The intoxicating follow-up to Isabella Valeri’s Letters from the Dead.Now twenty-two years old, the only daughter of the sixteenth generation is abruptly recalled from her indolent life abroad to return to the isolated Alpine estate where she spent the first twelve years of her life. So many of her childhood memories have been savaged...

This book explores the growing influence of generative artificial intelligence in reshaping business practices, economic systems, and strategic decision-making. Centred on the theoretical foundations, computational models, and applied use cases of generative AI, it brings together contemporary research and real-world applications across key domains such as finance, markets, entrepreneurship, supply chains, policy analysis, and sustainability. The chapters address large language models, gen...

Unravel the Secrets to a Healthier, Energized You!Dive deep into the science that powers the Keto revolution. In "Understanding the Science Behind the Keto Diet", we demystify the metabolic magic that transforms your body into a fat-burning powerhouse. Explore the Biochemistry: Discover how ketosis shifts your metabolism, unlocking boundless reserves of energy while shedding unwanted pounds. Tailored Nutrition: Learn how to craft a personalized Keto plan that su...

Discover the Secrets of the Keto Diet!Are you ready to unlock the incredible benefits of the ketogenic diet? Look no further than "The Keto Diet: Exploring its Benefits and Drawbacks." This comprehensive guide takes you on a captivating journey into the world of keto, providing you with a deep understanding of its potential and considerations.Say goodbye to restrictive diets that leave you hungry and unsatisfied. The keto diet offers a revolutionary approach to weight loss,...