What is the single best book on the Grunfeld to start with?

In this thread, please recommend one and only one book (or video) that you feel would be the best book to START with to learn the Grunfeld.  Please explain why you think this is the best starting choice.

Thank you.

I need a couple of recommendations here.

Thinking about this one:

The Grunfeld Defence - William Harston

http://www.amazon.com/The-Gr%C3%BCnfeld-Defence-Grunfeld-Defense/dp/B000V2PPGQ

Only $7, that has to be a good deal.

This one seems pretty good too.  It better be for $130.

Understanding the Grunfeld - Jonathan Rowson

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Grunfeld-Jonathan-Rowson/dp/1901983099/

I suggest any tactics book

I don't really like the ChessOK software.

This isn't (much of) a recommendation, since I don't play the Grünfeld as black, avoid its mainlines as white, and have not read any book on it, but I know that Svidler has a 12-hour video series on it on chess24.

https://chess24.com/en/learn/advanced/video/the-gruenfeld-according-to-svidler/introducing-the-gruenfeld

$.45 is a pretty good deal for a book.

Jonathan Rowson: Understanding the Grunfeld

It explains very well the key principles of Grunfeld. It contains well commented games and there is more text than variation lines.

But best introduction to Grunfeld is studying games of Svidler, Grischuk, Ftacnik and Jansa.

SilentKnighte5,

Both books you mentioned are SEVERELY outdated.  Opening theory changes, unlike endgames.

An opening as theoretical as the Grunfeld would require something that is 5-years or newer.

The two Grandmaster Repertoire books on the Grunfeld are not a good starting point.  Those are for players with previous knowledge of the Grunfeld.

I would suggest:

http://www.amazon.com/Chess-Developments-Gr%C3%BCnfeld-David-Vigorito/dp/1857446895/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408475324&sr=8-1&keywords=Grunfeld

Forget what others have said about it, experiment with it your own self and write your own story.

"The Grunfeld Diaries:  Volume One:  The Grunfeld Whisperer" by Anthony Anonymous

Everything that's old is new again.  Reuben Fine's - Ideas Behind the Chess Openings is older than me, but it's still good for its prose even if it's not the latest theory.

I don't plan to play lines out of those books, just wanted a nice general overview of the opening and it's development over the years.  I may just use the John Watson book for that purpose though.

That Viggorito book looks good though.

I thought about this too.  For the cost of two books, I get a video series on the Grunfeld from Svidler himself.  That's pretty nice.

I can't find that on Amazon.

For an overview, I think Watson does the trick. Otherwise, Rowson's book has a fantastic reputation. But I'm no Grunfeld player myself.

+1

Get Rowsons Book. I have the book, and it is quite good. You will not only learn the opening, but more importantly you will understand the key concepts. Also, you can check half price books or other places to get the book for a cheaper price. Also, consider buying a used copy of the book if it is in decent condition. Hope this helps.

KnightDwarf

Keep in mind the Grunfeld is a tough opening that requires constant study.  It may not be like the Najdorf where you need to keep current every day but like someone said it's quite theoretical.  Did you build a solid strategic foundation yet?  Books like My System, Soviet Middlegame Technique, and Questions of Modern Chess Theory will help you along the way.  You'll learn about pawn wedges, weak pawns and squares, the center and when its an asset or an object of attack, planning, etc. 

I looked at one of your games and simple carelessness or missing one very important (yet seemingly subtle) idea in an otherwise good plan costs you:

Cliff notes of The Old Man and The Sea by Earnest Hemingway.

I can't believe you just thoroughly annotated one of my blitz games.