I want to buy an opening book or two

I bought a big fat book on openings, the 'Batsford's modern Chess openings (fifteenth edition)', it covers all the (main) openings and their variations, but thats it. It does'nt explain the moves in depth, rather it just tells you the idealised lines and explains the general gist of the respective opening plan. Its a useful reference, but I kind of regret buying it as you can get most of it online now for free; the game explorer on this website is exactly the same accept its obviously more interactive and convenient (where you can click on the desired 'line' as opposed to having to keep flicking through a fat wad of pages).

There might be better books but thats my experience. Hope that helped.

"One two chess books" ? That's how it all starts. Once you were a normally adjusted person a passing interest in the what you think is a great game. You start off with "one or two"...then your realise that they aren't paying against your normal Sicilian so you after to get a book or two on Anti Sicilians...then people start playing open Sicilians - they've being reading Nunn's "Beating The Sicilian" - so you had better get all three editions...and of course once you're hooked there's the videos...

By this time your bookshelf is starting to look like the London Chess Centre. As you get ten, twenty ,thirty then a hundred the encroachment on your space is something Tarrasch would be proud of..you can't move around....the jealous chess godess Caissa has moved in and there's no room for members of the opposite sex.....Zugzwang ! Your'e defeated, the geek, the anorak with the preoccupied expression and no fashion sense with a thermos flask and carrier bag seen at chess congresses...Are you sure you want to start getting those books ?

It's old, and probably not the best.
But the book I used to get me started was:

It's a small, easy to read text.
And it covers the general ideas behind all of the major openings.
It will allow you to get a feel of each one so that you can better decide for yourself which you want to focus on.

The covers have worn off on my edition due to the amount of time it spent in my hands.

--CM

Gather FCO: FUNDAMENTAL CHESS OPENINGS (Paul van der Sterren)
is the new standard for explanation of most lines, but not in list format.

For just plain old theory, I use the opening tree on chessok.com

Friends recommend 'Fundamentals of Chess Openings' by Van der Sterren; excellent and in one volume.

Also, the Chess Opening Essentials series is highly recommended; I use this series.

Keep away from Modern Chess Openings (MCO) and Batsford Chess Openings (BCO); anything encyclopaedic is not to be recommended.

Explanation, information and understanding is more important than pages & pages of analysis and symbols!!!

If your local book store has them in stock have a browse or two.

Or visit www.amazon.co.uk for feedback from buyers of the book/books.

Hope this is useful. Good luck.

I was thinking of looking at some books on openings, but now I go for the very  humourous wisdom of Mr NimzoIndian. Reconsider.

I also like the practical advice of Emmet and Tickly Tom.. 1 volume combined with a couple of good web sites: chess.com of course, and maybe chess.ok.

In this day and age I think most opening books provide only marginal value above what is available online- especially at the low-mid club level. Money is better spent on lessons, a good database program and tactics training.

The quality chess books are very good, but probably too high level for under 1600.

I'd recommend getting a diamond membership here... There are over 70 video lessons on opening theory and many many more chess mentor lessons. Of course, you wouldn't be able to keep watching the videos after the expiration of membership, but if the club starts in a month, this is the way to get ready.

If you insist on a book, however, I recommend Attacking With 1. d4 by Dunnington. It's boring as hell to read, but if you have the mental stamina to make it through the whole thing, you'll never fear playing (or playing against) d4. Plus, you can get a used copy for under $10 on amazon or eBay.

Sorry, I though Dunnington's 1.d4 book was a lacklustre effort of a book. Poor coverage, and a real cop-out vs the Slav/Semi-slav.

If anyone after an equivalent the John Cox "Starting Out.. 1.d4" is pretty good.

Word! FCO is userfriendly