That's absolutely true, though they're not books that go very deep into the variations. That is good enough for people who are smart, but if you like openings, the ''move by move'' series are also very nice. Covers all the lines and involves the reader. If you go for the maximum content then the books like ''Play the French,'' also from John Watson and Everyman chess are a better choice. It's good enough concept wise but it's also packed with lines. You can look up everything but you're not going to remember all that. From the way you worded it that is probably not what you want though.
What chess opening books are easy to read and worth your time?
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Jul 15, 2017
0
#3
I have read Everyman chess's work and I think the content is fine, but it needs a complete reconstruction to be useful. It is a long compare and contrast of the two variations if not six and if you are not following every line you are unable to get the main points they are trying to convey.
Jul 15, 2017
0
#4
The Dangerous Weapons production seems like it might be what I am looking for. I had a book from them back when I had books but college was too demanding. I just looked at their production again online and found it was what I was looking for. The mastering the openings does offer another route. I just wanted to see what people in the chess realm thought and am open to more feedback.
Jul 15, 2017
0
#5
If you don't want to study all the lines but still want to know the concepts of ONE opening that is not in Mastering the chess openings, you're better off with the ''Starting out'' series from Everyman. Lots of text, a few sample games of every opening and you're good to go.
I found some of the Starting out books better than the more advanced books, because you can always look up variations online, but you can't look up all the ideas.
mickynj wrote:
The series "Mastering the Chess Openings" by John Watson is hard work, but ultimately very rewarding
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627115737/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen99.pdf
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Mastering_the_Chess_Openings_volume_1.pdf
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Mastering_the_Chess_Openings_volume_2.pdf
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
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
Airyaydayway wrote:
... If you go for the maximum content then the books like ''Play the French,'' also from John Watson and Everyman chess are a better choice. It's good enough concept wise but it's also packed with lines. You can look up everything but you're not going to remember all that. From the way you worded it that is probably not what you want though.
"... This book is well beyond the level of most players rated below 1800, but for ambitious players, both those employing the French as black or playing 1 e4 should invest in this book without hesitation." - FM Carsten Hansen (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627015516/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen163.pdf
Airyaydayway wrote:
If you don't want to study all the lines but still want to know the concepts of ONE opening that is not in Mastering the chess openings, you're better off with the ''Starting out'' series from Everyman. Lots of text, a few sample games of every opening and you're good to go.
I found some of the Starting out books better than the more advanced books, because you can always look up variations online, but you can't look up all the ideas.
The Starting Out series seems to have been replaced with the First Steps series. For example, First Steps: The Queen's Gambit by Andrew Martin
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7652.pdf
Airyaydayway wrote:
... if you like openings, the ''move by move'' series are also very nice. Covers all the lines and involves the reader. ...
Two examples:
The English: Move by Move by Steve Giddins (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627105428/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen161.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7129.pdf
The Sicilian Taimanov: Move by Move by John Emms
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626221508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen162.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7070.pdf
lovebecause wrote:
The Dangerous Weapons production seems like it might be what I am looking for. ... I just looked at their production again online and found it was what I was looking for. ...
Two examples:
Dangerous Weapons: The Queen's Gambit by Palliser, Flear & Ward (2008)
Dangerous Weapons: 1.e4 e5 by Emms, Flear & Greet (2008)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627091711/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen109.pdf
There are a lot of opening books I read that have long lines and try to analyze everything instead of focus on the important concepts. What books do this or something else that helps other than long lines for every other move?