Mastering the Chess Openings: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Modern Chess Openings, volume 1

A major new title from Gambit Publications Ltd. For most chess-players, opening study is sheer hard work. It is hard to know what is important and what is not, and when specific knowledge is vital, or when a more general understanding is sufficient. Tragically often, once the opening is over, a player won’t know what plan to follow, or even understand why his pieces are on the squares on which they sit. With this book John Watson seeks to help chess-players achieve a more holistic and insightful view of the openings. In his previous books on chess strategy, he explained vital concepts that had previously been the domain only of top-class players, and did so in ways that have enabled them to enter the general chess consciousness of club players. Here he does likewise for the openings, explaining how flexible thinking and notions such as ‘rule-independence’ can apply to the opening. Watson presents a wide-ranging view of the way in which top-class players really handle the opening, rather than an idealized and simplified model. This is a book that will make chess-players think hard about how they begin their games, while offering both entertainment and challenging material for study. For many chess-players, opening study is sheer hard work. It is difficult to know what is important and what is not, and when specific knowledge is vital, or when a more general understanding is sufficient. Tragically often, once the opening is over, a player wont know what plan to follow, or even understand why his pieces are on the squares on which they sit. John Watson seeks to help chess-players achieve a more holistic and insightful view of the openings. In his previous books on chess strategy, Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy and Chess Strategy in Action , he explained vital concepts that characterize modern chess. Moreover, he did so in ways that have enabled these ideas to be understood by club players. Here he does likewise for the openings, proceeding from the fundamental ideas that apply to all openings to more advanced concepts that are essential for substantial improvement. In this major four-volume work, Watson explains not only the ideas and strategies behind specific openings, but also the interconnections of chess openings taken as a whole. By presenting the common threads that underlie opening play, Watson provides a permanent basis for playing openings of any type. International Master John Watson is one of the worlds most respected writers on chess. His groundbreaking four-volume work on the English Opening firmly established his reputation in the 1980s, and he has produced a string of top-quality works since. In 1999, Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy , Watsons first book for Gambit, won the British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award and the United States Chess Federation Fred Cramer Award for Best Book. His former pupils include the 1997 World Junior Champion, Tal Shaked.

for Most Chess-players, Opening Study Is Sheer Hard Work. It Is Hard To Know What Is Important And What Is Not, And When Specific Knowledge Is Vital, Or When A More General Understanding Is Sufficient. Tragically Often, Once The Opening Is Over, A Player Won't Know What Plan To Follow, Or Even Understand Why His Pieces Are On The Squares On Which They Sit. With This Book John Watson Seeks To Help Chess-players Achieve A More Holistic And Insightful View Of The Openings. In His Previous Books On Chess Strategy, He Explained Vital Concepts That Had Previously Been The Domain Only Of Top-class Players, And Did So In Ways That Have Enabled Them To Enter The General Chess Consciousness Of Club Players. Here He Does Likewise For The Openings, Explaining How Flexible Thinking And Notions Such As 'rule-independence' Can Apply To The Opening. Watson Presents A Wide-ranging View Of The Way In Which Top-class Players Really Handle The Opening, Rather Than An Idealized And Simplified Model. This Is A Book That Will Make Chess-players Think Hard About How They Begin Their Games, While Offering Both Entertainment And Challenging Material For Study.