Chess Openings for White, Explained: Winning with 1.e4, Second Revised and Updated Edition

First of all, make sure you are getting the second revised edition. You can look up a scathing review of the first edition online by John Watson at thisweekinchess. However, I went through the second edition and saw that the serious issues raised in the review were addressed in the second edition, and the lines that I have played thus far follow good, up-to-date opening theory. This book is not meant for beginners. It does not teach opening theory, and many of the lines are left off with statements like active play against an isolated pawn, or more space on the kingside provides an advantage for white. There aren't complete games during the analysis, so you would ideally get yourself a (free) computer database (many exist) and look up the games where the analysis is left off to get ideas on how to play those positions if they are not familiar to you. The great thing about this book is there are plenty of diagrams. After every three or four moves there is a new diagram, so a board is not needed to follow the analysis. In fact, there are reviews out there that complain that there are too many diagrams and they should have saved paper and charged less for the book. I disagree--the diagrams are great and you can take the book around with you and study it without a board, which is very useful. The other common complaint is the repertoire is boring or doesn't play exciting lines. I played d4 all my life, and now picked up e4 for the first time. Many people strongly suggest starting with repertoires like the Scotch gambit because you want to keep the system straightforward and strong, but not so theoretical that it will go out of favor or be refuted too quickly. I started playing 1.e4 with Keene's Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player (which also uses the Scotch gambit move order), and enjoyed that, but appreciated the deeper, updated analysis of the Scotch gambit positions (or transpositions to the Giuoco Piano etc...) in this book. Once you have a solid Scotch gambit down, then you can always move to lines like the Scotch and eventually the Ruy Lopez. The Sicilian Grand Prix Attack is solid, but I also like to play 2.c3 systems as an alternative; however, there are two strong responses in 2... d5 and 2... Nf6 as well as g6 systems that are very playable (and recommended in Alburt's black repertoire), so it will require more theoretical knowledge. Sveshnikov has fantastic books on both the Grand Prix Attack and the c3 Sicilian (of note, the c3 Sicilian book is probably quadruple the size of the Grand Prix book!). The c3 Sicilian book is a little dated in the modern move orders, but the Starting Out c3 Sicilian book is outstanding in describing this opening in a more up-to-date fashion. I give these additional Sicilian recommendations because this opening may be seen even more than 1... e5, so it may be worth considering another system at some point. Overall, I highly recommend this book for a intermediate to strong club player who is looking for a good 1.e4 repertoire that will provide solid, playable positions against any response.

I've struggled with my openings for quite some time, to the point I had quite playing much the past few years. I've tried using the ECO books, which are great references, but they missed the point with me. However in just the three weeks time I've been studying the "Chess Openings for White, Explained", I've noticed significant improvement in my openings, my confidence, and in play overall. 4 weeks = ~100 ELO. Seriously where has Chapter 3 on how to study openings been? I truly feel like I am sitting down with GM Lev Alburt both GM Dzindi and they are walking me through a whole new way to think about my openings, how I respond, and visualize the board. The additional teaching techniques, by Al Lawrence no less, along with the separate analysis is by GM Eugene Perelshteyn is just perfect for me and my limited study time. Am I ever going to be a GM? no, however I am really enjoying the game again. I've already found myself going back over a few of the "memory markers"... and jumping to various openings to 1.e4! Now I actually look forward to studying again. I grab the book, start an engine on my tablet or my computer, and sometimes over the board, and study. Thank you Lev, Roman, Al & Eugene for helping me, you have improved my game for ever and I look forward to working through and studying "Chess Opening for Black, Explained."

BACKGROUND: In the past few years, I've gone from being nothing more than a very casual online correspondence chess player to one who is now starting to play in USCF rated tournaments. My current (albeit still provisional) USCF rating is in the 2000s. My "actual" playing strength for 'slow' chess is probably in the 1800-2000 USCF range. I've now played my share of speed games (1|0 bullet and 5|0 blitz) against players ranging from Class E to Expert (and even one master). To date I've completely read through at least 16 chess books, as well as half-finished at least a dozen others (probably the same as most other 'serious' chess players). Done loads of tactics problems. Read and still read dozens of annotated master games. Etc. Suffice it to say that while there are still far better chess players on this Earth than me, compared to the average club player, I'm not a complete slouch either. In other words, I have some idea of what passes for good chess literature and what doesn't. REVIEW: Repertoire books are generally divided into one of two categories: 1.) those primarily designed for professional players/very strong club players, a la the 'Kaufman Repertoire for White and Black'. While these are great for the (relatively) vaunted few who can appreciate subtle opening advantages and routinely go beyond theory move 10, the demands imposed by these are too much for most casual players to derive serious benefit; and 2.) those primarily aimed at club level (non-professional) players. This book is decidedly in the 2nd of these categories (never mind what the book claims). This fact needs to be born in mind when considering the merits and faults of this book as a whole. That's because the requirements and demands of professional players are markedly different from those of club players. In particular, theoretically 2nd and even 3rd rate opening choices (which this book mostly recommends, to be blunt) often suffice at club level, even if they wouldn't for better players. As for the lines themselves, this book recommends: -Scotch Gambit against 1.e4,e5 2.Nf3,Nc6. -Grand Prix Attack against the Sicilian Defense. -Mostly mainline-ish (i.e. 3.Nc3) Classical lines against the French Defense, although a couple non-mainline systems are recommended against the Winawer and MacCutcheon variations -Exchange variation against the Caro-Kann Defense -Exchange variation against the Alekhine Defense -(mostly) Quiet, positional systems against the Pirc and Modern Defenses -More or less mainline stuff against the Scandinavian Defense While I won't be too explicit, I will say that I like some of the book's suggestions a lot. In both speed and longer time-controlled games, I've had good practical success with many of the recommended moves/lines. However, there are also some lines that I don't like and would never again trust in any kind of over-the-board situation. In sum: PROS: +LOTS of position diagrams, to help readers avoid having to calculate too many moves in their heads. Most sideline positions are also clearly labeled as 'Analysis' for further clarity. In other words, this is VERY easy to read through without using an accompanying board and pieces. +Suggested lines are relatively non-theoretical and hence, are relatively easy to learn (unlike most mainstream openings at the top levels a la Open Sicilians, Spanish Game, etc.) +Many good practical suggestions for club level players +The authors obviously value the fact that club players typically have limited study time. A trademark of Lev Alburt in general, it would seem. CONS: -Its coverage against the Sicilian Defense (barely 40 pages) frankly sucks. Heck, even the French Defense they devote 100+ pages to. So probably more than anything, this book will need to be supplemented by Sicilian coverage from another source, especially since many of their lines (in my opinion) really aren't that great. -Some variations the authors either clearly try to oversell, or else aren't properly evaluated, or (in a few rare instances) completely neglect to mention certain important plausible alternatives. Again, its coverage of the Sicilian Defense is guilty of much of this. -Not as much explanation for certain moves/variations as the book's title might make you think (not that it doesn't have any) CONCLUSION: I would definitely recommend this book (although not without some caveats) to non-master level players, as I think it (mostly) does a good job of suggesting relatively non-theoretical, semi-surprise laden, yet practical lines for the typical club player with limited study time. Also, just to clarify and give credit where credit is due: I believe that the overwhelming majority of the opening ideas in this came from GM Roman Dzindzichashvilli, whereas the book's format/layout were Alburt's. Mostly I state this just because the book's marketing is (in my view) a little deceiving on this point. 3.5+/5

This book purports to provide you with a complete reportoire with the white pieces. Of course we know that no single book can do this, but doesn't hope spring eternal? What is does do is give a decent overview of a narrow range of options after 1) e4. For example, after 1) e4, e5 2) Nf3, Nc6 3) d4, cxd4 5) Bc4, Nf6, the authors propose 6) e5 as your main line. Before getting there, they take a look at earlier black deviations, but the review is by no means exhaustive. So, an opponent could play something passive like 5)...,h6 and the casual player would only have a single sample variation to guide them. The real strength of the book lies in a thoughtful choice of lines upon which to concentrate coupled with a very attractive presentation. The book is well layed out and the numerous diagrams, stand-out boxes and multi-colored text makes it pleasant to read. You will be able to find the line you're looking for quite readily, but you may not see a great deal unless it is considered to be the main line. Even in places where white has 2 good choices, the book will only focus on one of them. Like any book on openings, you are going to have to do your own research to make it work. Looking at older games to understand its evolution and more recent ones to see how it's handled today is still a must. You'll also find that you'll pick and choose from among the lines as it's doubtful that all the choices will suit your tastes. This book will serve you well as is if you're rated up to around 1800. Higher than that and you'll find it a useful basis for further explorations.

Die Erstauflage hat eine eine vernichtende Rezension von IM John Watson erhalten.Die Kritik war fundiert und berechtigt.Die 2. Aufl. hat zumindest die Kritik (ohne auf sie einzugehen) aufgegriffen und in den besonders angesprochenen Varianten mittels neuer Zugvorschläge umgesetzt. Natürlich gibt es viele Überschneidungen mit der Roman's Lab Reihe von "Dzindzi".Das muss aber für dieses Werk kein Nachteil sein.Maßgebend für meine Bewertung ist die Erwartungshaltung, mit der ich an eine Repertoire-Buch herangehe.Habe ich genug Zeit für ein extensives Schach-Studium, benötige ich kein Repertoire-Buch.Ein solches hat demgegenüber die Zielsetzung, den Arbeitsaufwand für die Eröffnungsvorbereitung in Sachen Zeitaufwand zu optimieren.Die Wahl eines e4-Repertoires ist natürlich besonders herausfordernd.Als Ausgangspunkt für meine angedachte Rückkehr zu 1.e4 empfinde ich das Buch als anregend.Es werden viele Ideen und Pläne erläutert.Der Leser wird nicht mit einer += Bewertung im Regen stehen gelassen. Klar ist aber mit Blick auf die dem Schachspieler heute zur Verfügung stehenden Möglichkeiten, dass eine Repertoire-Konsolidierung ohne Partienstudium und selektive Engine-Analyse fahrlässig ist. Ich werde eine Reihe von Vorschlägen aufgreifen und andere links liegen lassen.Am Ende des Tages muss das Repertoire ja ganz individuell meinem Spielstil und meinen Stärken und Schwächen gerecht werden. Das Buch ist in der Tat sehr lesefreundlich mit durchschnittlich 4 Diagrammen pro Seite und sehr angenehmen Layout.Es kann zu großen Teilen damit ohne Schachbrett durchgearbeitet werden. Allein schon deshalb werde ich es häufiger zu Hand nehmen als die meisten anderen.Wenn ich daran denke, welches Schicksal so viele andere Schachbücher meiner umfangreichen Sammlung genommen haben, ist das ein ganz erheblicher Vorzug.

The book is supposed to be in colour (see picture above); that's one of the reasons I bought the book. Some diagram prints are either badly printed (too light, see picture above, compare the left diagram with the right one!), and a lot of text is badly printed (vague, but I can't really prove that because of the quality of my pictures). In summary, I am truly dissapointed with the quality this book was supposed to offer, from a viewpoint of structure/looks. Other than that, it is a great opening book to use, if we ignore all the above. I know the book, and it provides great insights into openings. I give only 2 stars, so people who wish to buy the book will be aware of all the faults. If you don't care about that, then, please, go ahead and buy it!

Buon libro

Great book on the openings a must for all aspiring chess players. It covers all the main lines with diagrams to help explain.