Recommendations for Learning Openings

[jshriver]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

[BrendanJNorman]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

I just bought this set to assist with teaching my 6 year old daughter (1400-1500 on LiChess) and it's perfect.



It covers all the options for both sides, both side's plans, but without getting too theoretical.

Very useful imo. Avoid the huge BCO/NCO/ECO type books.

[Chessqueen]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

I just bought this set to assist with teaching my 6 year old daughter (1400-1500 on LiChess) and it's perfect.



It covers all the options for both sides, both side's plans, but without getting too theoretical.

Very useful imo. Avoid the huge BCO/NCO/ECO type books.

I believe that at that young age of 6 it is not recommended to have them memorize Openings, instead learning chess Opening principles is recommended more for such young age, Capablanca did not started studying any opening until he was about 8 years old, instead he knew most of the chess opening principles. There are excellent openings books, but it is difficult to recommend opening books. Two books that I recommend as outstanding examples of the kind of exposition of ideas that one should seek in an opening book are Alburt and Chernin's Pirc Alert and McDonald's Mastering the French. Apparently one time he was observing the play and he pointed out an illegal move made by his father, and then went on to play against, and beat him.

Capablanca learned the game of chess from the young age of 4 by watching his father, José María Capablanca play. From the age of eight he was taken to the Havana Chess Club where many important contests were held and began to play semi-regularly, it was at that age that he started learning chess openings. Some young student are better off to learn Principles instead of memorizing without knowing the reasoning behind each move, therefore Principles like these are more important

[Eelco de Groot]

Only part 4 of the books that Brendan mentions is right now available directly from the publisher New in Chess. It's at a big discount but you probably would want to buy a whole set. Maybe there is going to be a new version?

My last chess book on openings was NCO I think. That was in 1999.. Nunn said at the time he was not going to make an update, too much work for very little profit these days. And any opening book is quickly outdated if it is just about memorizing lines. That's not what you want of course.

Ed mentions a tool on his site that you might like? https://prodeo.actieforum.com/t703-requ ... regular-7z

I also liked the short overview here: http://rebel13.nl/rebel13/pgn-annotator.html#gambits


I have the classic book from Reuben Fine "The Ideas behind the Chess Openings" but I'm afraid I can't tell if it is still very useful. But often mentioned!
https://kupdf.net/download/fine-reuben- ... 132acc_pdf

I don't know if that covers the whole book?

I found a free opening book from Gary Lane, I don't know if it is good but it is free, and at least more up to date than Reuben Fine's book: https://vdoc.pub/download/ideas-behind- ... nuucbuao80

[BrendanJNorman]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

I just bought this set to assist with teaching my 6 year old daughter (1400-1500 on LiChess) and it's perfect.



It covers all the options for both sides, both side's plans, but without getting too theoretical.

Very useful imo. Avoid the huge BCO/NCO/ECO type books.

I believe that at that young age of 6 it is not recommended to have them memorize Openings, instead learning chess Opening principles is recommended more for such young age, Capablanca did not started studying any opening until he was about 8 years old, instead he knew most of the chess opening principles. There are excellent openings books, but it is difficult to recommend opening books. Two books that I recommend as outstanding examples of the kind of exposition of ideas that one should seek in an opening book are Alburt and Chernin's Pirc Alert and McDonald's Mastering the French. Apparently one time he was observing the play and he pointed out an illegal move made by his father, and then went on to play against, and beat him.

Capablanca learned the game of chess from the young age of 4 by watching his father, José María Capablanca play. From the age of eight he was taken to the Havana Chess Club where many important contests were held and began to play semi-regularly, it was at that age that he started learning chess openings. Some young student are better off to learn Principles instead of memorizing without knowing the reasoning behind each move, therefore Principles like these are more important

You are somewhat right, but mostly not.

Definitely, nobody (not just kids) should memorize a single line until they have already intuitively grasped the principles of opening play.

This goes without saying, and I guess you forget that I've been coaching kids in both schools and privately since 2007 (I believe I've mentioned it here several times?!), and am well aware of this basic principle.

What mostly matters is the level of experience, chess understanding and overall strength of play.

My daughter is around 1500 level now, so despite being 6 years old, she is ready to learn some basic plans in the openings she likes.

You may have noticed (if you read carefully) that I said to AVOID BCO/NCO/ECO type books (which are raw lines for memorization and no text), but suggested a book that explains the PLANS instead.

A bit of nuance goes a long way.

Maybe you can suggest me a chess engine to use, but coaching...that's literally what I do.

[Chessqueen]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

I just bought this set to assist with teaching my 6 year old daughter (1400-1500 on LiChess) and it's perfect.



It covers all the options for both sides, both side's plans, but without getting too theoretical.

Very useful imo. Avoid the huge BCO/NCO/ECO type books.

I believe that at that young age of 6 it is not recommended to have them memorize Openings, instead learning chess Opening principles is recommended more for such young age, Capablanca did not started studying any opening until he was about 8 years old, instead he knew most of the chess opening principles. There are excellent openings books, but it is difficult to recommend opening books. Two books that I recommend as outstanding examples of the kind of exposition of ideas that one should seek in an opening book are Alburt and Chernin's Pirc Alert and McDonald's Mastering the French. Apparently one time he was observing the play and he pointed out an illegal move made by his father, and then went on to play against, and beat him.

Capablanca learned the game of chess from the young age of 4 by watching his father, José María Capablanca play. From the age of eight he was taken to the Havana Chess Club where many important contests were held and began to play semi-regularly, it was at that age that he started learning chess openings. Some young student are better off to learn Principles instead of memorizing without knowing the reasoning behind each move, therefore Principles like these are more important

You are somewhat right, but mostly not.

Definitely, nobody (not just kids) should memorize a single line until they have already intuitively grasped the principles of opening play.

This goes without saying, and I guess you forget that I've been coaching kids in both schools and privately since 2007 (I believe I've mentioned it here several times?!), and am well aware of this basic principle.

What mostly matters is the level of experience, chess understanding and overall strength of play.

My daughter is around 1500 level now, so despite being 6 years old, she is ready to learn some basic plans in the openings she likes.

You may have noticed (if you read carefully) that I said to AVOID BCO/NCO/ECO type books (which are raw lines for memorization and no text), but suggested a book that explains the PLANS instead.

A bit of nuance goes a long way.

Maybe you can suggest me a chess engine to use, but coaching...that's literally what I do.

Oh you are a chess coach! I still recommend anybody to go into Youtube and learn most openings that they are interested in learning, probably you already have several Youtube videos about what Opening to recommend to different Level of students, The point is that most Books are too boring whereas watching different Openings from different Chess instructors on youtube allow people to absorb or learn from different chess instructors keeping your mind interested instead of bored reading Opening Books. For instance a chess student can learn the Pirc if his opponent open with 1.d4 from this chess instructor or from YOU without becoming bored ===> or Learning the same Opening from other chess instructors

Note: And it is important to have an Opening against the 1.e4 like this Opening and to play it over and over more than 500 times on Lichess or Chess.com until you master both of these Openings==>

[BrendanJNorman]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

I just bought this set to assist with teaching my 6 year old daughter (1400-1500 on LiChess) and it's perfect.



It covers all the options for both sides, both side's plans, but without getting too theoretical.

Very useful imo. Avoid the huge BCO/NCO/ECO type books.

I believe that at that young age of 6 it is not recommended to have them memorize Openings, instead learning chess Opening principles is recommended more for such young age, Capablanca did not started studying any opening until he was about 8 years old, instead he knew most of the chess opening principles. There are excellent openings books, but it is difficult to recommend opening books. Two books that I recommend as outstanding examples of the kind of exposition of ideas that one should seek in an opening book are Alburt and Chernin's Pirc Alert and McDonald's Mastering the French. Apparently one time he was observing the play and he pointed out an illegal move made by his father, and then went on to play against, and beat him.

Capablanca learned the game of chess from the young age of 4 by watching his father, José María Capablanca play. From the age of eight he was taken to the Havana Chess Club where many important contests were held and began to play semi-regularly, it was at that age that he started learning chess openings. Some young student are better off to learn Principles instead of memorizing without knowing the reasoning behind each move, therefore Principles like these are more important

You are somewhat right, but mostly not.

Definitely, nobody (not just kids) should memorize a single line until they have already intuitively grasped the principles of opening play.

This goes without saying, and I guess you forget that I've been coaching kids in both schools and privately since 2007 (I believe I've mentioned it here several times?!), and am well aware of this basic principle.

What mostly matters is the level of experience, chess understanding and overall strength of play.

My daughter is around 1500 level now, so despite being 6 years old, she is ready to learn some basic plans in the openings she likes.

You may have noticed (if you read carefully) that I said to AVOID BCO/NCO/ECO type books (which are raw lines for memorization and no text), but suggested a book that explains the PLANS instead.

A bit of nuance goes a long way.

Maybe you can suggest me a chess engine to use, but coaching...that's literally what I do.

Oh you are a chess coach! I still recommend anybody to go into Youtube and learn most openings that they are interested in learning, probably you already have several Youtube videos about what Opening to recommend to different Level of students, The point is that most Books are too boring whereas watching different Openings from different Chess instructors on youtube allow people to absorb or learn from different chess instructors keeping your mind interested instead of bored reading Opening Books. For instance a chess student can learn the Pirc if his opponent open with 1.d4 from this chess instructor or from YOU without becoming bored ===> or Learning the same Opening from other chess instructors

Note: And it is important to have an Opening against the 1.e4 like this Opening and to play it over and over more than 500 times on Lichess or Chess.com until you master both of these Openings==>

Yep you make a decent point here. Most people don't have the work ethic to study from books anymore.

They prefer to passively watch a YouTube video and learn that way.

My daughter also watches chess videos, does puzzles etc, but we use books as well - since I physically am teaching her over the board at the kitchen table.

Easy to keep her engaged since she loves chess (and chess lessons) anyway.

[Chessqueen]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

I just bought this set to assist with teaching my 6 year old daughter (1400-1500 on LiChess) and it's perfect.



It covers all the options for both sides, both side's plans, but without getting too theoretical.

Very useful imo. Avoid the huge BCO/NCO/ECO type books.

I believe that at that young age of 6 it is not recommended to have them memorize Openings, instead learning chess Opening principles is recommended more for such young age, Capablanca did not started studying any opening until he was about 8 years old, instead he knew most of the chess opening principles. There are excellent openings books, but it is difficult to recommend opening books. Two books that I recommend as outstanding examples of the kind of exposition of ideas that one should seek in an opening book are Alburt and Chernin's Pirc Alert and McDonald's Mastering the French. Apparently one time he was observing the play and he pointed out an illegal move made by his father, and then went on to play against, and beat him.

Capablanca learned the game of chess from the young age of 4 by watching his father, José María Capablanca play. From the age of eight he was taken to the Havana Chess Club where many important contests were held and began to play semi-regularly, it was at that age that he started learning chess openings. Some young student are better off to learn Principles instead of memorizing without knowing the reasoning behind each move, therefore Principles like these are more important

You are somewhat right, but mostly not.

Definitely, nobody (not just kids) should memorize a single line until they have already intuitively grasped the principles of opening play.

This goes without saying, and I guess you forget that I've been coaching kids in both schools and privately since 2007 (I believe I've mentioned it here several times?!), and am well aware of this basic principle.

What mostly matters is the level of experience, chess understanding and overall strength of play.

My daughter is around 1500 level now, so despite being 6 years old, she is ready to learn some basic plans in the openings she likes.

You may have noticed (if you read carefully) that I said to AVOID BCO/NCO/ECO type books (which are raw lines for memorization and no text), but suggested a book that explains the PLANS instead.

A bit of nuance goes a long way.

Maybe you can suggest me a chess engine to use, but coaching...that's literally what I do.

Oh you are a chess coach! I still recommend anybody to go into Youtube and learn most openings that they are interested in learning, probably you already have several Youtube videos about what Opening to recommend to different Level of students, The point is that most Books are too boring whereas watching different Openings from different Chess instructors on youtube allow people to absorb or learn from different chess instructors keeping your mind interested instead of bored reading Opening Books. For instance a chess student can learn the Pirc if his opponent open with 1.d4 from this chess instructor or from YOU without becoming bored ===> or Learning the same Opening from other chess instructors

Note: And it is important to have an Opening against the 1.e4 like this Opening and to play it over and over more than 500 times on Lichess or Chess.com until you master both of these Openings==>

Yep you make a decent point here. Most people don't have the work ethic to study from books anymore.

They prefer to passively watch a YouTube video and learn that way.

My daughter also watches chess videos, does puzzles etc, but we use books as well - since I physically am teaching her over the board at the kitchen table.

Easy to keep her engaged since she loves chess (and chess lessons) anyway.

You should make some videos of how you are helping your daughter to climb the ladder from 1400 to 1600


AND ANOTHER VIDEO OF HOW YOU ARE TEACHING YOUR DAGHTER TO CLIMB FROM 1600 to 1800 like this video

[Steve Maughan]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

Don’t bother with the books. I’d suggest watching all the YouTube videos by Dan Narrodysky — he explains everything.

Steve

[Chessqueen]

Looking for recommendations for a good book to read and learn various openings. There are probably 1000's on the market so curious what you all thought or liked.

With covid still out and about I've wanted to improve my game so when things hopefully get better I would like to start playing FIDE rated tournaments.

Thanks!
-Josh

Don’t bother with the books. I’d suggest watching all the YouTube videos by Dan Narrodysky — he explains everything.

Steve

You are correct, there are too many Free Chess Opening instructions on Youtube as you mentioned the first 3 Links are by GM Dan Narrodysky and the last 4 Links are excellent for getting a winning advantage without too much memorization
1st ==>
2nd ==>
3rd ==>

These are very Simple Chess Openings that you do NOT need to memorize and give you great chance to win against Black
4th ==>
5th ==>
6th ==>
7th ==>