As anyone who has played me will have noticed, I don't know ANY
opening moves. It would help me learn faster if I could refer to a
chess book during games (eg. to see what attack my opponent was
forming, and the relevent defence), but wouldn't this be akin to using
a computer?
What is the philosophy on this?
ps. Anybody recomend a good openings book for beginers?
- Joined
- 04 Jan 02
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I have been told by a great authority here that it is acceptable to refer
to books during correspondence chess. I use Modern Chess
Openings, but there are several others available, as well. Once your
opponent makes a move that isn't in the book, you're on your own!
Tim
The Dark Squire
If you don't mind another beginner recommending books....
I'm currently reading a book by Edmar Mednis called "How to Play
Good Opening Moves". Very basic, which is what I need. Gives verbal
description of what each move is trying to obtain. It gives detailed
descriptions of reasons behind the VERY FIRST moves, and then goes
into some detail in only two openings, The Sicilian and Queens Gambit
declined, so it certainly isn't an opening reference manual.
I've also had the following recommended by "folks who know":
Yasser Seirawan's "Winning Chess Openings"
Rueben Fine's "The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings."
All are more the basic principles, rather than detailed analysis of
opening lines. I find that a good thing for the level I'm at, but if you
are a better player....
The Fine book is very old (1940s), so no cutting edge whiz bang
openings that are the current rage. But its supposed to be a classic. I
found it to be a bit more advanced, but still readable. At least the
little I've read.....
You could also check out folks comments on these books (or others)
at Amazon.com.
Okay...since I think I have been referred to a few times (Thanks Tim
and Michael) I guess I better hop in here on this.
Books are legal...you can use them at any point during a
correspondance game...which is what this site is about.
As for opening books...Tim made of course the best recommendation
in MCO...which is Modern Chess Openings...the latest is the 14th
edition by a good friend of mine GM Nick deFirmian.
But maybe for a beginner there is a little known book by Michael
Basman that is available through Chess Digest...called "Chess
Openings"...I could be wrong on the title..but this will walk you through
a few openings and defenses and keep it easy for you...but for any
beginner I still recomend going with the "Winning" series by Seirawan.
Dave
Captain USA
Dave,interesting you admire Micheal Basman.
In my opinion one of the most underated players you can come
across.
He is a fantastic teacher,but when you look at his games,you dont
know what is going faster,his fingers or his brain.
He had a fantastic battle for the UK championship against Hartson in
the mid seventies,and has a cult following ever since.They even
invented a word to describe his games-Basmania.
best wishes, lyn
He is one of the offbeat opening specialists...and for that I love
him...the fact that he will take an opening and people say "That is
crap" and he goes.."Oh yeah..let's see you beat it" makes him a true
chess player to admire.
Plus from what I hear he is a very nice man...I have met Nigel Short
and Tony Kosten and a few others from Britain...but never
him...hopefully one day I will get to meet him.
Thanks lyn.
Dave
Captain USA
Just being a chess player gets an odd look from most "normal"
people...then go and tell them your a "Master" and then they want to
know exactly how much of your life have you thrown away on
a "useless game"
I get that crap all the time...but when it actually impresses someone
or I teach someone how to play a line or see a threat...then all that
bad junk dissappears and I remember why i love chess so much.
Being "off beat" ain't all that bad in my eyes.
Kinda like the South Carolinian once said "If loving ewes is wrong...I
don't wanna be right!"
Hopefully that didn't offend anyone..just had to say it.
Dave
Captain USA
