Openings Book

Hi

I'm trying to find a good book on openings but am confused by the choice....can someone advise if there is a "must have" book, I'm a intermediate player who likes attacking chess.

Thanks

Musk

For overall coverage of all openings try Modern Chess Openings (MCO) 14.

If you have any specific variations in mind let us know and maybe we can give some suggested reading. 

I also like MCO-14. You should get one general book that covers everything, like this or NCO, then get more specific books later once you decide which openings you want to learn in more detail.

--Fromper 

If you can get the 5 volume set of ECOs , NCO, BCO and MCO ......this should cover it well! These books are reference books though and dont "teach" anything. You might want opening books with more text/explanation .

Also good is "Understanding the Chess Openings"  by Sam Collins, gambit Publications, 2005.

You mean Mark Dvoretsky - a known Russian coach.

The two chess openings I think everyone should study (even if you don't play them) are the Main Line Ruy Lopez and the Nimzo-Indian.  Looking at these openings will further your understanding of chess in general. 

Rather than use an opening book and memorizing countless variations, I also recommend just playing through Grand Master games in these openings.  For the Nimzo-Indian try Bronstien's Zurich 1953 tournament book (it is chock full of them), and for Lopez try Karsten Muller's complete games of Bobby Fischer (in his games you will see a true demonstration of "the Spanish tourture"). 

Use these to try to understand WHY each move is good and what each move DOES.  You can't ask for better teachers than Bronstien and FIscher.