Chess Openings for White, Explained missing openings?

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Chicken_Monster

I'm having trouble locating some openings in the repertoire book (for 1.e4 players) Chess Openings for White, Explained, 2nd Edition. (I've been told to play 1.e4 more, so I am using this book as a guide.)

For example, is the Damiano Defense covered?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6

The Latvian Gambit is (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5) is covered.

I don't even see an index in the book, although there is a table of contents.

Robert_New_Alekhine

Well, they wouldn't cover trash like the Damiano, would they?

Chicken_Monster

@Lasker: 1.e4 a6 actually is covered in the rare openings section (see p.506). Since the authors emphasize this is a complete repertoire book (it even covers rare openings, as stated), then I feel the Damiano should be covered. Perhaps it is covered, and I am not seeing it.

Once you get past the complete beginner stage, you will never see the Damiano Defense

Wrong.

TheOldReb

Does it cover the reversed grob ( borg )  defense ?  Such repertoire books usually cover the more popular openings and are not likely to cover every possibility for black after 1 e4 . 

PossibleOatmeal

That book is terrible for a totally different reason.

Chicken_Monster
Reb wrote:

Does it cover the reversed grob ( borg )  defense ?  Such repertoire books usually cover the more popular openings and are not likely to cover every possibility for black after 1 e4 . 

I'm not sure, since there is no index unfortunately. This books is fairly extensive though. I can always supplement with other sources.

I realize that there are many inferior openings that exist; however, when someone plays them (even if it is rare to see it) I think you are at a disadvantage if you don't know how to really punish them.

Chicken_Monster
PossibleOatmeal wrote:

That book is terrible for a totally different reason.

Thanks. I have heard some negative things about the book, but I imagine it's fine for my current level. Yes, they avoid the Ruy Lopez completely. They don't cover the Scotch -- only the Scotch Gambit (I believe).

The companion book for Black is probably better. Do you have a better recommendation?

PossibleOatmeal
Chicken_Monster wrote:
PossibleOatmeal wrote:

That book is terrible for a totally different reason.

Thanks. I have heard some negative things about the book, but I imagine it's fine for my current level. Yes, they avoid the Ruy Lopez completely. They don't cover the Scotch -- only the Scotch Gambit (I believe).

The companion book for Black is probably better. Do you have a better recommendation?

 

Yes, there are many better repertoire books, but none of them are going to have picked all of the same openings to recommend.  My favorite one is by John Watson (A Strategic Opening Repertoire for White).

 

And yes, Chess Openings for Black, Explained is better.

Chicken_Monster
Lasker1900 wrote:

They don't cover the Scotch because it's not part of the repertoire they are recomending. It's a repertoire book after all. I' had read Watson's rant about this book, and he's right--in principle, But if you want to adopt 1.e4, this book is a pretty good introduction and will give you a safe repertoire for a while,

True, it is a repertoire...one that I will not adopt for my entire life...I'm just trying to practice with 1.e4 more...Watson has excellent opening books (not just repertoire books) as I'm sure you know...of course, he is slamming his competitor...he wants to sell his own books...

I not that the Prodigy Program of chess.com adopts the Alburt repertoire books for both White and Black...

Chicken_Monster
PossibleOatmeal wrote:
Chicken_Monster wrote:
PossibleOatmeal wrote:

That book is terrible for a totally different reason.

Thanks. I have heard some negative things about the book, but I imagine it's fine for my current level. Yes, they avoid the Ruy Lopez completely. They don't cover the Scotch -- only the Scotch Gambit (I believe).

The companion book for Black is probably better. Do you have a better recommendation?

 

Yes, there are many better repertoire books, but none of them are going to have picked all of the same openings to recommend.  My favorite one is by John Watson (A Strategic Opening Repertoire for White).

 

And yes, Chess Openings for Black, Explained is better.

I believe IM pfren told me he liked most of Watson's books, but not the repertoire book you just mentioned....of course, he is at another level...He preferred the Schandorff books for 1.d4 2.c4....