Unfortunately, there are not many opening books with lots of explanations :-(
You may want to check another work of Watson : Mastering Chess Openings vol.2 (1.d4) - it's not a repertoire, but it gives a nice overview of many thematic ideas in a large array of systems
Watson's opening works aren't meant to be easy. He states in the very title that he is teaching students how to master the openings.
If you find them too hard, take a look at Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy: Advances since Nimzowitsch by the same author. Learn the basics of chess strategy, then take a look at advanced books such as his excellent series on mastering the opening.
If you want a solid and safe opening, the London System, 1.d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 or 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 to almost any black response. Not a an exciting opening but sound.You won't have to study much and you won't in the opening.
If you want a solid and safe opening, the London System, 1.d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 or 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 to almost any black response. Not a an exciting opening but sound.You won't have to study much and you won't in the opening.
Won't... in the opening? Win? Agreed. I've known dozens of juniors who took the advice to play the London System as White. They didn't lose many games, but they also stopped playing competitive chess earlier than others. Chess is supposed to be fun. Play sharper stuff and learn how to beat your opponents. Don't fear your opponent's openings, beat them.
My immediate thought was Starting Out 1. d4 by John Cox, which I believe is likely the book "66" is also talking about. I haven't read it, and I don't play 1. d4 as white, but if I eventually do try the switch this was the book that was recommended to me. I would suggest reading the reviews on amazon to see if it is suitable.
I don't think Cox's book is what Daimonion is after : Cox does a fine job of selecting key variations and illustrative games, but the offered repertoire is very sophisticated and fairly sharp, while the general explanations are scarce (most are very technical).
If you want a solid and safe opening, the London System, 1.d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 or 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 to almost any black response. Not a an exciting opening but sound.You won't have to study much and you won't in the opening.
Won't... in the opening? Win? Agreed. I've known dozens of juniors who took the advice to play the London System as White. They didn't lose many games, but they also stopped playing competitive chess earlier than others. Chess is supposed to be fun. Play sharper stuff and learn how to beat your opponents. Don't fear your opponent's openings, beat them.
I agree. Many coaches encourage their students to learn the London System, as it's ''easy'', when they shouldn't be programmed into a system in which the moves require no thought.
You can just play 1.d4 2.Nc3 and push e2-e4 as soon as you can. Good, fun, untheoretical and sharp!
it stops or your dead. staff you better fucking do something i swear to god these threats will be a reality
FUCKING STOP OR DIE
checkmate289, I'm sure there is a depression help-line you could call free in your country. It sounds like you need to talk to someone and get stuff off your chest. Good luck.
it stops or your dead. staff you better fucking do something i swear to god these threats will be a reality
FUCKING STOP OR DIE
Mods still haven't fixed the profanity in 10 mintues??? jeez...
The trick to learning any opening system (besides from opening treatise) is to just do your own analyses. Heh. I know. Such an revolutionary concept. Depending on your level ( I don't know yours at the moment) it would be useful to go over games from players with similiar repertoires...current or past.
goodluck
I like Kornev's recent 3 volume series A Practical White Repertoire with 1.d4 and 2.c4 better than Watson's book. Many of the recommendations overlap and I think his approach against the solid main lines is very sensible. One thing I like is that he generally takes a solid approach but he doesn't back down against aggressive systems like the Benoni (Taimanov) and Benko (the King Walk 12.a4! line that turned me off the Benko). It's maybe a bit advanced, but there is more explanation than you will find in Watson.
Repertoire books like these are not so relevant at your level, but this may be something to aim for in the long run. You can use repertoire books as a reference as you encounter openings in your games. In the meantime, a book like Strategic Chess: Mastering the Closed Game by Edmar Mednis can give you a good general overview of the closed openings with 1.d4.
Bear in mind, you're recommending advanced opening books to a player whose standard rating is 1007.
Please dfont. We're talking about a 1200 rated player. He does not need any opening book! Just 1.d4 (or whatever) 2.Nc3 (or whatever) 3.Bg5 (again, or whatever) own analysis and HOURS OF TACTICS!
Introductory game collections like Logical Chess: Move by Move are better at this level for the learning the opening. Mednis' Strategic Chess might be more useful around Class C and includes more modern openings. Tactical exercises are good, but not everything to chess. If you are planning on building a chess culture to become a strong player, you will want to begin reading game collections early on.
To be clear, I am not recommending Kornev's books as reading for a 1000 player, but it is my personal preference as an expert. As I said earlier, repertoire books are not so relevant at that level.
Instead of relying on books, for white I play a standard Queen's Gambit and everytime I lose, I analyze the game with a good program such as Lucas Chess and that tells me my mistakes and the next time I play I try not to make the same stupid mistakes over again, I make different stupid mistakes.
Do you know a book, which is similar to'A Strategic Chess Repertoire for White' by Watson meaning that: it covers similar openings (1.d4 - Queen's Gambit, Slav, Semi-Slav, Indians), is designed for white and focuses on ideas but is (at the same time) less advanced and involves much more explanation and narrative?
(In other words I'm looking for white's equivalent of Soltis' 'Black Defensive System for the Rest of Your Chess Career')