Hi, I'm looking for a good book on chess openings. More specifically a book that explains some general theory about openings rather than list thousands of variations. I picked up 'Åbningsspillet i skak' (Opening play in chess) by Bent Larsen at the library, but it's kind of short. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Originally posted by Svin1Reuben Fine's The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings - absolutely the best place to start. Theory's moved on a bit since then, so you should get an up-to-date opening reference as well - I have Modern Chess Openings (MCO) 14th ed. by Nick de Firmian, but I've heard good things about Batsford Chess Openings (BCO) and Nunn's Chess Openings (NCO) as well. But Fine's book is the best book IMO to start with if you want to understand the key drivers behind the major openings.
Hi, I'm looking for a good book on chess openings. More specifically a book that explains some general theory about openings rather than list thousands of variations. I picked up 'Åbningsspillet i skak' (Opening play in chess) by Bent Lars ...[text shortened]... ibrary, but it's kind of short. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Fine's book is good but out of date. MCO is more of a reference work, like Batsford. The best i've seen is the little known Basic Chess Openings by Gabor Kallai. It comes in two small volumes in paperback--one queen's pawn, the other king's pawn. He gives the important lines and concentrates in giving a solid understanding of each opening. The neat thing I like about it is he gives those little side traps which invariably pop up when playing the opening. The best i have for a basic understanding. I got them from Amazon. Hope this helps.
Originally posted by Dodger11Ahem! Sorry for disagreeing but don't you think that you are exaggerating a bit with "If an opening ain't in that book, you don't need it"?
MODERN CHESS OPENINGS, otherwise known as the "chess player's bible." If an opening ain't in that book, you don't need it.
MCO is an excellent book (no doubt about it) but Batsford Chess Openings is more comprehensive. NCO is fantastic... I love the way the present the material, the ease of handling transpositions, the look of the books and its completeness... I used to read it at Borders all the time while working on specific openings and when I realized that I was coming back to that book all the time I decided to buy it. I have MCO 13th ed. and didn't quite dig it... I hate the presentation of the material...