Hi there...
Anyone know of any good introduction to the principles behind hypermodern openings, particularly as black? I'm getting sick and tired of being drug into the same boring disadvantageous contesting the center openings as black, and I need something a little different. If anyone has a ref to a web page, book, or even just a couple of tips?
Thanks!
Hypermodern openings really have the same pricinples as normal openings, they just go about letting the opponent take the center, and then counterattacking against it from a distance, normally with flank pawn jabs. Other than that there is really no difference. Blockading is a key princinple, and for that, look at Nimzo's games: He was the master. 😀
'My sytem' by Aron Nimzowitsch introduces the main principals of this style. It only has one chapter on the opening though, so it only conveys the general ideas. However, if you haven't read it, u must, it's a great book (even though the language is a bit 'scientific'😉
Oh yeh, it was written in the 20's so a lot of the examples used are old opening lines that people don't really play so much anymore. A great read all the same 🙂
Eric Schiller's "Hypermodern Opening Repertoire for White" is a more pragmatic approach, and quite easy to follow. It looks at it from the white side, but the black play is covered as well, of course.
My personal opinion: it is good to understand and apply some of the concepts, but a 'religious' approach, as did Nimzovitch and Reti display, won't bring you very far. The center is more than something to look at from a distance, it is also the place to be in many situations.
I have Schillers book and SOME of it is good. He puts in parts that don't really need to be there. The parts on black pawn formations is dumb, and really does nothing. The thing I like is that he sets up the same piece formation for pretty much everything, tells you where the pieces should go, and shows typical ideas and tactics. All the other parts suck! I do agree with Mephisto that Nimzo and Reti took it too far, but Reti was awesome. 😀
I would not recommend "Hypermodern Opening Repertoire for White". Or at least reader should be careful and not trust it too much. Reading this book I had strong impression that author's main goal was to write something quickly and got his money...
Just personal opinion.
Originally posted by TovMauzerI agree. Poorly written and mistakes all over! 😀
I would not recommend "Hypermodern Opening Repertoire for White". Or at least reader should be careful and not trust it too much. Reading this book I had strong impression that author's main goal was to write something quickly and got his money...
Just personal opinion.