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Chess Opening Book

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noah2358

Hey everyone, I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions for a good book on the opening? It is my worst phase and I should improve. 

-waller-

Do you:

 - Develop all your pieces before looking to move them again?

 - Try and control the centre of the board?

 - Castle early on?

 - Keep an eye out for basic tactics?

At your level, if you find yourself coming out of the opening with a lost position, you aren't doing one or more of these. Guaranteed. Hey, I saved you the trouble of buying a book!

-waller-

Also, looking at your last match against candyass4ever, I would say your opening was absolutely fine.

TimJohnHarris

Well I think the fourth one, "keep an eye out for basic tactics," is somewhat question-begging. Learning to do that might be why he wants the book.

-waller-
TimJohnHarris wrote:

Well I think the fourth one, "keep an eye out for basic tactics," is somewhat question-begging. Learning to do that might be why he wants the book.

Well, I don't see that an openings book is the best way to go about improving basic tactical ability.

noah2358

Alright, thanks guys.

benonidoni

More of these anti opening book theoristsUndecided

dwdjohnson

I've got FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings in my library, only one I have.  Its by Paul Van der Sterren.  It mainly goes off center lines open and defenses, but shows some really interesting variations.  It also does a great job of explaining "why" not just "what."  The book does assume you understand the concepts Mr. Waller posted above though.

Stampnl

http://www.amazon.com/Open-Chess-Game-Larry-Evans/dp/0890580030

http://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Behind-Chess-Openings-Algebraic/dp/0812917561/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360946326&sr=1-1&keywords=ideas+behind+the+chess+openings

CHCL
paulgottlieb wrote:

I think Yasser Seirawan's "Winning Chess Openings" is an excellent introduction to opening theory. There's a fine introduction to general opening theory, and a very good explanation of the ideas behind all the major opening systems. I strongly recommend it.

Agree.