How do you learn Openings?

Has Seirawan done anything about openings other than Winning Chess Openings about two decades ago? Has Nunn done any opening books since the last century?

I haven't read any books in the last 10 years. Who is now Top 3?

Depends on the opening and the level of the reader?

Ok. Tell me... For < 1400 players. And 1400-1800 platers.

I dont know the top 3, but as long as its got a good beat, and i can dance to it, im in.

Not sure if you are trying to tell me what to do, but I have to tell you that top-3 stuff is way beyond my level to judge. I just thought that I might have some idea about issues to consider for more meaningful answers. It might be of interest to look at:

https://www.chess.com/blog/IM_Kgwm/my-favourite-reads-this-quarter-tons-of-openings-part-1-1-e4

Notice comments like:

"... most suited to players who are at least of 2000 strength, …"

and

"... After going through the series, I have no qualms in recommending it highly to a wide range of players, say from 1500 amateur players up to the professional, Grandmaster. …"

Around that level, I suspect that Silman's advice is very appropriate:

"... If you’re looking for an opening book, you should seek out well-known opening theoreticians. …"

https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-best-chess-books-ever

For that sort of level, it is probably a good idea to seek authors with a lot of experience with the opening in question.

As you are probably aware, there are those who think opening books are just inappropriate for the lower levels of players, but there seems to be some belief that publishers have come up with potentially helpful items.

"... Everyman Chess has started a new series aimed at those who want to understand the basics of an opening, i.e., the not-yet-so-strong players. ... I imagine [there] will be a long series based on the premise of bringing the basic ideas of an opening to the reader through plenty of introductory text, game annotations, hints, plans and much more. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2002)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627055734/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen38.pdf

That particular series seems to have been discontinued, but there are somewhat similar books in newer series (First Steps and Move by Move). My guess is that it is a good idea to look for books with a primary focus on sample games. What is best probably depends a lot on what suits your particular tastes and needs. Fortunately, for many books, reviews and/or online samples are available.

If you're hoping to avoid "years to learn", you're playing the wrong game.

Chess development as a player occurs on a timeline that spans across years. For many, it takes decades.

To become U1800 Openings literate, one needs to be familiar with FCO or MCO. Unless one aims to be NM, no need to study Openings Books or memorize ECO and Power Book.

Has there been a new edition of MCO or FCO since 2009?

"... For new players, I cannot recommend books that use [an encyclopedic] type of presentation [of opening theory], because the explanatory prose that elaborates typical plans and ideas is usually absent, thus leaving the student without any clear idea why certain moves are played or even preferred over other apparently equivalent moves. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)

"... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)

"... I feel that the main reasons to buy an opening book are to give a good overview of the opening, and to explain general plans and ideas. ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)

You appear to have already made up your mind for "U1800".

Studying Openings Books like Queens Gambit Accepted move by move is time extensive. I'm the person who won't spend that time. Happy to be strong U1800 player.

Perhaps some of the First Steps books would be of interest.

I'm done with studying. Let younger players study Modern Books published the last 10 years.

Why would you care "Who is now Top 3" for "1400-1800 platers"?

Curiosity

Well, to get a rough idea, I would guess that you could look at authors of Quality Chess books and some of the advanced books from other publishers.

Thanks. I hope Intermediate players gain some ideas in this thread.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708112658/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review315.pdf

About half a century ago, I think the Fine book was considered to be nearly essential reading, but now, I fear that its information is seriously out-of-date. Also, I do not think it has much in the way of sample games.

How long ago was it that the "new" book was purchased?

"... Fundamental Chess Openings ... A modern day version of Reuben Fine’s Ideas Behind The Chess Openings … [FCO] is primarily aimed at those from 1400 to 1800 who ..."- IM John Donaldson (~2009)

http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/FCO-Fundamental-Chess-Openings-76p3561.htm

"... Ideas Behind the Chess Openings ... cannot be recommended to the modern student seeking to improve his or her understanding of opening theory." https://web.archive.org/web/20140708112658/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review315.pdf