Well annotated (from a strategic perspective) Car Kann, London, Slav games.

Hi. Sorry for the post thats as long as a book but I need to explain my trouble in detail. My opening is by far my weakest area. Ive never seriously studied it but recently Ive started. Huge roadblock in the beginning. Where can I find very well annotated games on these opening systems? When I say from a strategic perspective what I mean is annotations that explain in great detail what the strategy is.

I got some books by Lakdawala recently and its not what was advertised. The Caro Kann move by move. No its not. Its like every 4-5 moves. Or it might go 8-10 moves before there's another explanation. Its the same with the Slav and London books. A few years ago I went through Silmans Reassess book and thus Amateurs Mind. I liked how things were explained in easy to understand language. I don't need to know what Kasparov played on move 12 vs Karpov in the Smyslov variation in Moscow 1988. Or what Rybka or Houdini now think of this or that variation. I can find any of that out by buying a chess program. I want to know WHY at just about EVERY move.

If there were instructive well annotated games like the way Silman explains things but that cover openings in detail I would pay whatever it costs. My opening has been neglected my whole life now I want to develop a deep strategic understanding of a few systems for a change.

Does anyone know of an author that can explain things well, almost move by move? I just can't stand it when an annotator says "this continuation have black the better game in so and so". Anybody can see what an engine would play. I don't care. I want to have things spelled out like "if that Knight starts getting overloaded with trying to help protect e5 AND blah blah it will diminish its ability to hold off the Q side majority". Or this pawn break is vital because of the increased dark square influence of this Bishop which is the main theme of blah blah opening". Actual words explaining goals, NOT A LAZY VARIATION.

Any ideas fellow players?

Anyone? Anyone at all? Some masters responses would be awesome. But all are welcome

How to beat the french defence by Andreas Tzermiadianos - He recommends the Tarrasch variation and the first couple of chapters are devoted to the typical endgame/middlegame ideas. He also gives general tips on how to study the opening if that's any help to you. Of course he also goes over the actual variations too :-)

(Edit: didn't read title properly >.<)

Try these:

Logical Chess

The Art of Logical Thinking

Th Art of Planning in Chess

Chess Master vs Chess Amateur

Also, which perspective do you want the books to be written from (ideas for white/black/both)?

Thanks.

@ binblaster: perspective from BOTH sides oneach of those because it's helps the whole strategic picture to sink in.

@ stigmatisert: Ill certainly check into it and will sent on your message.

Also, as Im studying these openings Ill analyse my games by myself (no freakin engine) in writing and then there are 2 players I'm going to pay to analyse my games for me after I send my thoughts. Hopefully this will also help me combined with my own work. Ones about 2200 but he explains things so well I thing he can be helpful and the other is about 2500

A book I really liked is Neil McDonald's 'the Benko Gambit revealed'. The opening is good fun, and McDonald doesn't give endless variations but explains the strategic principles and possible manoeuvres in depth. Maybe something?

And now I read the thread title and realise the Benko Gambit is not on your list.

Even though the Benko isn't what I had in mind what you say about EXPLANATIONS OF STRATEGIC GOALS is certainly what I'm looking for. Now, if I could get some Silman type instruction for the Slav, Caro, and London...........

Did you ever discover books you were looking for on the Slav and Caro-kann openings? I'm interested in that type of content also. Island and Donaldson wrote a book on the Slav. Maybe that would contain a Silman approach since he was one of the authors?