Discovering Chess Openings: Building Opening Skills from Basic Principles

by John Emms

In Discovering Chess Openings John Emms argues that studying openings doesn't have to be hard work - it can be both enjoyable and enlightening. The key to successful opening play is not simply learning lines off by heart; instead it's the understanding of the basic principles, and here the reader is guided through the vital swift development, central control and king safety.

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction, Games, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Rabin Rai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first chess book that required lots of contemplation over the concepts of this beautiful game. Thus, it took me 3 months to complete it while playing over a thousand games in chess.com. My ratings has slowly increased to close to 1300 from 1000 in rapid (10 or 15 minute games) with the detailed analysis of sequences of different openings.

The chapters begin with simple principles and dives deeper into chess theory as you read more. The final chapter briefly covers about 15 chess openings taking up around two to 4 pages per opening.

If you wish to read this dense book, be prepared to read it like you are studying for a test. I would advise you to download stockfish program or any other chess analysis tool to enter the algebraic chess notations for easier reference. As long as you grasp the main point in every sub-chapter, you will be able to apply these nuggets of valuable insight into your own game.

[Devin Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for someone looking to build chess skills. Definitely not a casual read as following all the lines and variations discussed in each section required me to follow along on a chessboard (or chess app in my case). As I read it, I came to understand a lot more about why opening moves are selected and began doing much better openings, even in cases where I didn’t know the theoretical lines.

[Daniel Tkocz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very often positions are just given in notation instead of a diagram.
Sometimes it is not immediately clear which position is analysed.
In general very lengthy, I hoped more for a compact principles guide.
Principles are told step by step.
Often moves are made weak "to demonstrate the weakness of side x"...
Overall I would not read it again and cannot recommend it.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

If one has to learn by himself the basics of the opening play, this book could prove to be useful.

[Fernando Muñoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro muy bueno para comprender los principios de la apertura, contiene ejemplos sencillos y el último capítulo presenta un breve repertorio de aperturas y defensas por las cuales puede iniciar el jugador principiante.

Si hubiera algo negativo que mencionar del libro sería que:
-Es breve.
-Plantea preguntas a modo de ejercicio durante el transcurso del libro, pero las respuestas se encuentran inmediatamente después en en el renglón siguiente. Lo que podría echar a perder la cuestión didáctica de aprendizaje que se pretende con cada pregunta.
-Varias de las partidas poseen un nivel más avanzado que aquel que puede comprender el principiante, pero en ocasiones son partidas simplificadas que podrían contener jugadas erróneas o débiles que el principiante podría considerar apropiadas, aún cuando no lo son y por ende, causarle confusión, sin mencionar la frustración.

Recomendable para principiantes y como dice el libro, si se quiere profundizar en el estudio de las aperturas, lo mejor será encontrar otros libros (enciclopédicos en su mayoría), que versen sobre el tema.

[Justin Roote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the most in-depth study of opening principles I've seen. This does come at a cost in organization though. Ideas are explained well using many common openings throughout the different chapters, but the last chapter, "Chess Openings in Practice," only fills in the gaps in main lines not yet seen. So if you want to find different Ruy Lopez variations, for example, you'll find them scattered all over and not in one convenient location. Great book for learning about important concepts in chess openings, but I'd look elsewhere if you want a basic, organized reference for the most common openings.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good, instructive and informative introduction to chess opening. Good introduction to theory and application of several common chess openings. The book gives good introductions to classic and modern openings. Very helpful and good read.

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A foundational primer, in my humble opinion, to those interested in a more in-depth study and analysis of common chess openings. This is one of those little books that belongs on every chess players bookshelf and should be flipped through at least once a year. Solid 4/5 stars for me.

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very helpful for improving players. I really liked the axiomatic approach GM Emms takes.

[Dani Lensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good introduction to the logic behind common chess openings, common chess moves (and mistakes) and tricks. 3.5 stars

[Zach Posnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, will read again soon !!

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful first half. Hard going in the second. Felt like a big jump in the way info was presented. But a good starting place for new chess players looking at openings.

[Daniel Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for chess beginners to get an idea of what to do in the opening

[PJFry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for beginners and improvers. Light on theory but heavy on principles. Rather than teach opening variations verbatim the author teaches the ideas behind opening play and gives the reader advice on how to think in the opening and maximise the potential of any opening position. A few mistakes in the chess notation are standard fair for chess books and the final chapter actually is quiet irrelevant to the rest of the book because it is written like a standard opening manual. Flying in the face of the books aims. Still very informative with a slightly frustrating presentation.

[Trey Harris]

easy to get lost in the variations if you aren't reading with a board handy, but otherwise pretty good