Understanding the Chess Openings (Practical Chess Openings)

How Modern Openings are Played: A Comprehensive GuideNew ebook feature: every diagram is also a link to an interactive Lichess analysis board!"There has most certainly been a need for an updating of Fine's Ideas Behind the Chess Openings and this volume is the first book of the modern era to do this." - Lou Mercuri, Chess HorizonsThis major work surveys all chess openings, providing a guide to every critical main line and featuring descriptions of the typical strategies for both sides. These commentaries will be welcomed by all club and tournament players, as they will help them to handle the middlegame positions arising from each opening better, and will equip them to find the best continuation when their opponents deviate from the standard paths.As it covers all openings, Understanding the Chess Openings will also prove invaluable to those who are seeking to create a repertoire. At a glance, readers will get a feel for the character of an opening, and an idea of whether it might suit their style. Potential theoretical problem areas and move-order issues, so critical when creating a repertoire, are also highlighted.Features include:Main lines explained move by moveGuidance against rare but dangerous sidelinesSpecial emphasis on lines popular at club levelBrief description of both sides’ aims at the end of each main lineGeneral introduction to each major openingNearly 600 diagramsSam Collins is an International Master from Ireland who won the Irish Championship in 2002. He competed in several World and European junior championships and has represented Ireland in seven olympiads, winning a gold medal at Bled in 2002. He is also an experienced chess teacher who has lectured at the Berkeley Chess School in California."an ideal reference work for the aspiring junior or lowly-graded club player, keen to learn many new openings and to fully understand their concepts, while those who frequently coach or help children and weaker club players may well find much good material within." - Richard Palliser, Yorkshire Chess"This book gives a survey of all chess openings to provide club players with a general guide to the plans for all major openings. Plans for both players are given. Players who absorb this material in this book can expect to gain a general knowledge of opening play. The book is also useful as a guide when developing your repertoire." - Paul Dunn, Australian Chess"To deal with the Catalan Opening, the Winawer variation of the French, or the Najdorf variation of the Sicilian in a useful manner in only one to three pages must involve a colossal effort of synthesis. In this book, it seems to me that Collins has achieved it splendidly. The explanations are clear and lucid with just enough variations to give readers a reasonable base from which to commence using the openings." - IM Jean Hébert, Au Nom du Roi"On the basis of this book, every beginner can quickly learn the plans and ideas that more often than not occur in the opening. I can recommend this book to every chess coach for lessons!" - Jerzy Konikowski, Fernschach International"It is remarkable how much material Collins has managed to condense into one relatively slim volume without compromising his objective of comprehensive coverage. That is no easy task and he is to be congratulated on a job well done!" - Alan Sutton, En Passant"A very useful source of opening ideas that will assist the reader to remain focused on the aims of an opening and steer the position towards a favourable middle-game. A worthwhile companion to club and tournament players." - Michael Blake, IECG Newsletter"It arms you with the knowledge of where to focus your resources when investing money on other opening books." - Carsten Hansen, Chesscafe Read more