opening Books

Thanks. These posts give me some options.

"… Note that Watson's series does not attempt to provide coverage of every opening, although it does treat the vast majority, in varying degrees. And of the openings it does deal with, there is no attempt to provide complete or comprehensive coverage. This series is more concerned with explicating ideas, themes and plans of the openings in general, and the analysis is impressive (IMO) for its depth and clarity. The author's point is not to cover the same ground that is detailed adequately and ad nauseum in the hundreds of other openings books which are concerned primarily with the 'theory' (i.e., the variations and lines) of specific openings. ..." - RussBell (June 5, 2018)

http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Mastering-the-Chess-Openings-Volume-1-p3569.htm

http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Mastering_the_Chess_Openings_volume_1.pdf

"... I can strongly recommend Mastering The Chess Openings: Volume 2 to all chess players from 1800 on up." - IM John Donaldson

http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Mastering-the-Chess-Openings-Volume-2-76p3570.htm

http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Mastering_the_Chess_Openings_volume_2.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627115737/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen99.pdf

http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Mastering-the-Chess-Openings-Volume-3-76p3571.htm

https://web.archive.org/web/20140626220240/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen117.pdf

http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Mastering_the_Chess_Openings_volume_3.pdf

http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Mastering-the-Chess-Openings-Volume-4-76p3572.htm

"... This series is written in such a way that anyone rated from 1500 to 2400 will be able to benefit from it. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627070808/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen137.pdf

http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Mastering_the_Chess_Openings_volume_4.pdf

The more recent "First Steps" books also use illustrative games, but I think that they have more of an emphasis on explanation.
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7790.pdf

https://chesscafe.com/book-reviews/first-steps-1-e4-e5-by-john-emms/

After looking at some of your games.  Your issue is not openings.  Your issue is the following:

Not following opening principles.

Missing simple tactics.

Hanging material.

Fundamental Chess Openings is a slightly more recent book of approximately this sort, but I get the feeling that such books have gone out of fashion. I myself am somewhat skeptical about the utility of a book that tries to discuss many openings without illustrative games, but what do I (an ~1500 USCF player) know? Some players have indicated that they found this or that book to be useful. My main advice would be to look carefully at online reviews and samples before buying. Here are some FCO comments and a sample:

"... [Fundamental Chess Openings by Paul van der Sterren] is not particularly suited for players who are just starting out. I would imagine players rated at least 1400-1500 would get the most benefit from this volume. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2009)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140626173432/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen128.pdf

http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/FCO-Fundamental-Chess-Openings-76p3561.htm

http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/FCO_Fundamental_Chess_Openings.pdf

For Understanding the Chess Openings by IM Sam Collins:

http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Understanding_the_Chess_Openings.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627031504/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen76.pdf

For Ideas Behind the Chess Openings:

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708112658/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review315.pdf

Is there a reason to talk as though a person has one issue?

"... for those that want to be as good as they can be, they'll have to work hard.
Play opponents who are better than you … . Learn basic endgames. Create a simple opening repertoire (understanding the moves are far more important than memorizing them). Study tactics. And pick up tons of patterns. That’s the drumbeat of success. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (December 27, 2018)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/little-things-that-help-your-game

IMBacon wrote: ”... Your issue is the following: Not following opening principles. Missing ...”

Is there a reason to presume that it won’t help to have improved understanding of some specific application of opening principles?

"... I think people tend to be afraid of the main lines. They think: ... sure, I'm going to take up (say) 5 Bg5 against the Semi-Slav, once I've got time and learned it properly. ... My advice is - don't bother. The more you learn anyway, the more you'll recognize how little you know. ... 5 Bg5 is a good move - get it on the board, get ready to fight, and see what happens.
Sure, there will come a time, whether on move two or move twenty, when your knowledge of theory runs out and you have to decide what to do on your own. ... sometimes you will leave theory first, sometimes your opponent. Nothing will stop this happening. It happens in every well-contested GM game at some point, usually a very significant point. This is a part of the game: an important part, something you have to get better at. ... to improve you have to challenge yourself; ..." - IM John Cox (2006)

I think that there is a very natural desire to want to have a good understanding of an opening before playing it, but, increasingly, I get the feeling that that is generally not practical.

"... Playing an opening in real games is of vital importance - without this kind of live practice it is impossible to get a 'feel' for the kind of game it leads to. ..." - GM Nigel Davies (2005)

There seems to be a widespread belief that one should be content with what one gets from illustrative games, start using an opening in one's own games, and gradually improve one's knowledge and understanding from game to game. Many opening books are part explanation and part reference material. The reference material is included in the text with the idea that one mostly skips it on a first reading, and looks at an individual item when it applies to a game that one has just played.

"... If the book contains illustrative games, it is worth playing these over first ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)

"... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)
"... the average player only needs to know a limited amount about the openings he plays. Providing he understands the main aims of the opening, a few typical plans and a handful of basic variations, that is enough. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"The way I suggest you study this book is to play through the main games once, relatively quickly, and then start playing the variation in actual games. ... There is time enough later for involvement with the details, after playing your games it is good to look up the line." - GM Nigel Davies (2005)
"... Review each of your games, identifying opening (and other) mistakes with the goal of not repeatedly making the same mistake. ... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf

there are books that try this but they tend to be bad... Why? Because openings are more important at higher levels. Sure you should know the basic plans but these tend to be provided in beginners books anyways.

https://www.365chess.com/opening.php

Or

Or

These books tend to fit the description pretty well...

Back to Basics: Openings by Carsten Hansen...

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Openings-ChessCafe-Chess/dp/1888690445/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ILAHQ7MPKWNI&keywords=back+to+basics+openings&qid=1561263001&s=books&sprefix=back+to+basics+opening%2Cindustrial%2C191&sr=1-1

Understanding the Chess Openings by Sam Collins...

https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Chess-Openings-Sam-Collins/dp/190460028X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3V6BV6NSV27Z0&keywords=understanding+the+chess+openings&qid=1561263277&s=books&sprefix=understanding+the+chess%2Cstripbooks%2C190&sr=1-1

These books address most of the major openings.  Their focus is on the point of the opening and a few of its primary variations - the basic themes, plans, strategies etc.  There is no attempt to exhaust every last line of every variation, or to be comprehensive in the coverage.  They are written specifically for those who have not yet added "Master" to their chess title.....as is the following...

Discovering Chess Openings: Building Opening Skills from Basic Principles by John Emms...

https://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Chess-Openings-Building-Principles/dp/1857444191/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11YUCHN7TISDM&keywords=discovering+chess+openings&qid=1561264348&s=books&sprefix=discovering+chess%2Cstripbooks%2C191&sr=1-1

Emms' book is focused exclusively on addressing and explaining fundamental principles of opening play (targeted to beginner-intermediate players), and presents specific openings, lines or variations only insofar as they illustrate basic principles of the opening.  There is no attempt to provide anything close to extensive coverage of any opening (i.e. it is not an openings reference of the standard sort).

For advanced players (ELO 1800 and above), the best book for explaining themes, plans and strategies of the openings in terms of their pawn structures is probably....

Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide by Mauricio Flores Rios...

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Structures-Mauricio-Flores-Rios/dp/1784830003/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G5OVZPWYB2O3&keywords=chess+structures+a+grandmaster+guide&qid=1561265322&s=books&sprefix=chess+structure%2Cstripbooks%2C189&sr=1-1

"... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)

WackChiRain wrote: “... openings are more important at higher levels. Sure you should know the basic plans but these tend to be provided in beginners books anyways."

It seems to me that such beginner books would be included in what FM Carsten Hansen was referring to.

Above, one can see info on the Collins book, and my comments related to trying to use books like this that don’t have much in the way of sample games. Here is a review of Back to Basics Openings by FM Carsten Hansen:

http://www.thechessmind.net/blog/2010/1/30/a-brief-review-of-carsten-hansens-back-to-basics-openings.html

I think that this book is good for a lot of purposes, but I do not think that it goes very far towards explaining the key squares, pawn structures, and themes of specific openings. Indeed, quite a few openings are left out altogether. Here is a review:
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf

5 Habits to learning Openings.

1. Understand the moves

As simple as the systems you choose to add to your repertoire may be, there is still some theory to go through. One way I have noticed to work in order to remember the moves is to try to understand why you are making that move and not another. In other words, understand the ideas in the position, both for you and for your opponent.

This way you’ll know what you want to achieve and what you want to keep your opponent from achieving. You’ll see that the right, theoretical moves will suddenly come easier to mind! Of course, this “trick” is almost impossible to apply to sharp lines with only moves.

2. Play through annotated games

Seeing many games gives you a wide chess understanding.

Try to include in your training not only games in the openings you play but various openings and pawn structures. Seeing how they are played and reading the explanations will help you over the board, in similar situations where you are out of the book.

Again, try to understand the ideas and how the players think in order to be able to imitate them in your own games.

3. Watch online games

It is important to be constantly connected to the latest games. Besides the fact that seeing many games is good for your chess in general, it allows you to stay connected to the latest trends and novelties in openings. You might come across a new, interesting idea in an opening you play that is worth analyzing and including in your repertoire.

4. Study the main pawn structure.

This habit helps again with your chess in general – you will know what kind of plans to choose, which pieces to keep and which to exchange and how to ideally place them.

How can this help your opening?

It also gives you an overall understanding of the opening; by knowing more than one plan you will be able to adapt better to any changes your opponent might come up with and find the right continuation.

5. Read chess literature

Most model games are played by classics; therefore, it is very important you study them and if the games have commentaries, even better. Playing through long analyses is not the point in this case; choose written annotations where the authors explain the process of thinking and the ideas in the positions.

It seems to me that that is the sort of thing that many “First Steps” books seek to provide.

This post was submitted before I had finished editing my previous post.  You may want to check it again to see my completed comments about Emms' book, and also about the book by Mauricio Flores Rios.

It is true that, of the four books that I previously commented on, only the Rios book attempts to cover pawn structure and its implications for planning and strategy in any kind of detail.  The other three books (Emms, Collins, Hansen) are, as I had indicated, introductions to opening play from the perspective of fundamental principles (as opposed to positional play and pawn structure) and, as initial exposure to these basic concepts, are targeted primarily to the beginner-intermediate level player.

"... Chess structures: A Grandmaster Guide is not a primer of positional play; for that, try Michael Stean's Simple Chess, Herman Grooten's Chess Strategy for Club Players, or Silman's ... How to Reassess Your Chess. Instead, you might think of Chess Structures as positional chess 'finishing school.' ..." - John Hartmann

https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-structures-a-grandmaster-guide/

One other point to make about the Rios book: It uses illustrative games. One can see one example on pages 243-247 of the sample at:

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7495.pdf

In case that link does not work for you, here is the game that was discussed in detail by Rios on those pages:

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044741

If one has decided to succumb to the (pretty much) inevitable and do some of one's learning by looking at illustrative games, it might make sense to give further consideration to books like the First Steps series that try to use such games to explain specific openings without going to an advanced level. If one has had an unsatisfying experience, reading a particular annotated game, it is perhaps worthwhile to consider:

"... annotated games vary widely in quality. Some are excellent study material. Others are poor. But the most numerous fall into a third category - good-but-wrong-for-you. ... You want games with annotations that answer the questions that baffle you the most. ..." - GM Andrew Soltis (2010)