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As a normal one who got interested in chess (I'm also interested in Mathematics which may be related in somehow) I used to play regular openings like e4 or d4 just like everyone else (this is played in most games). However, after my first or second move I start getting confused about what next move should I make. It's all about what's my opponent move (my opponent position at the time of playing my next move), but I started to discover opening principles / opening theory and got better understanding of the matter.
For someone seeking help with openings, I usually bring up Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014).
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
I believe that it is possible to see a fair portion of the beginning of Tamburro's book by going to the Mongoose Press site.
https://www.mongoosepress.com/excerpts/OpeningsForAmateurs%20sample.pdf
Perhaps Amirx9 would also want to look at Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006).
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
kindaspongey wrote:
For someone seeking help with openings, I usually bring up Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014).
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
I believe that it is possible to see a fair portion of the beginning of Tamburro's book by going to the Mongoose Press site.
https://www.mongoosepress.com/excerpts/OpeningsForAmateurs%20sample.pdf
Perhaps Amirx9 would also want to look at Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006).
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
Thank you! I don't think that going with a book at the beginning is a good idea but will consider this later. At the time I found an opening called "The London System" which really interests me. I have looked up a few games that started with the system and read a simple article about it in here (chess.com). However, I'm seeking a more in-depth understanding of this system because I think I'm going to stick with it for a long time before playing with different openings. So could you recommend me some more good articles about the London system. And another side question: is there a chance to play this system as black also? Thank you!
Amirx9 wrote:
Thank you! I don't think that going with a book at the beginning is a good idea but will consider this later. At the time I found an opening called "The London System" which really interests me. I have looked up a few games that started with the system and read a simple article about it in here (chess.com). However, I'm seeking a more in-depth understanding of this system because I think I'm going to stick with it for a long time before playing with different openings. So could you recommend me some more good articles about the London system. And another side question: is there a chance to play this system as black also? Thank you!
Actually a book is a very good way to learn an opening, so long as it is written by an expert in that opening, and so long as it explains its history and ideas and shows whole games as well as variations. It takes months to study an opening book properly so the cost ought not be an issue.
There is an excellent and up-to-date book on the London system from publishers New in Chess:
The Agile London System by Alfonso Romero and Oscar De Prado
I agree that games in the London system at amateur level are often boring, but that is because a lot of people play it badly, without studying it properly, because they think that all there is to know is 1. d4, 2. Bf4, 3. e3, 4. Nf3 after which they make it up at the board.
Black players object to it out of sour grapes, because it is difficult to play. Unwilling to admit that they are not up to the task of creating promising play against the London System they resort to insulting its practitioners.
This book shows that it is actually a rich and complex system that has gathered plenty of theory, and that it can lead to both wild tactics and solid positional games.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627074459/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen85.pdf
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Win_with_the_London_System.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/Shop/Images/Pdfs/9035.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/Shop/Images/Pdfs/7619.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627100246/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen139.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093403/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/tips.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/Shop/Images/Pdfs/7656.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-perfect-opening-for-the-lazy-student
and there is also the Cyrus Lakdawala book, First Steps: The Colle and London Systems.