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

Mastering the Chess Openings #1

by John L. Watson

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 won’t 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 world’s 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 , Watson’s 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.

Genres: Chess, Reference, Games, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Leonard Watson is an International chess Master and author.

Reviews

[globulon · Rating 2 out of 5]

John Watson is quite well respected so you might take my review with a grain of salt since I am pretty weak.

My problem with this series is that it doesn't seem very useful. This is because he tries to cover a lot of ground but at the same time is quite selective. So it seems he will give you an overview of some opening complex like the KID or something, but then what happens is that he will get really technical on only one or two lines. I just can't understand why this approach would be seen as helpful or who these books are geared for. These books have never been of use to me in any of the ways I have tried to get something out of them.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read although reading it does require a lot of energy. And this kind book probably can never be "finished" but mark it as such for now.

[Chip and Katie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many beginners, the opening of a chess game is where they feel they make the most mistakes. While it's true that 'tactics, tactics, tactics' win the game on some level, modern opening theory has reached the point that you should at least understand what the point of the openings you're playing are if you wish to at least enjoy the game. This book explains the e4 ones in clear english and is easy to follow. I wouldn't say it's an in-depth look at every opening or a technical masterpiece like some of the other 'official opening books', but it certainly will give you enough understanding about what's going on that you won't feel like you're missing out on some mystery that other people who play the game know.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Watson's three volume work (No 3 on the English opening has just come out) on the openings is probably the definitive collection on opening theory for any beginning or aspiring chess player nowadays. Focusing on understanding the openings rather than the move by move analysis of every line I cannot recommend these books more highly.

[Corey Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watson clearly explains the ideas behind the openings and gives even treatment for white and black. This is one of the best opening books I've read. Of course you've got to get the other volume for the d-pawn openings.

[Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book hoping for a brief guide to standard opening theory in the first few chapters but I wasn't too sure about what I was reading since some of the positional evaluation "heuristics" and definitions (good/bad bishops) where a bit different than other titles I have read. The rest of the book describes some openings I am not learning at the moment so I skipped them. Well written but in general I think not too useful for me at the moment.

[Dan Hyer]

Very detailed. Appears to be well laid out.

Something that I want to come back to in the future when I have more time to focus on it.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Watson once again proves why he is one of the best chess writers. Here he tackles the chess openings, and explains them in a clear and insightful way. Highly recommended for both the beginner and the club player.

[Mr_Toad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleverly acquaints readers with the strategies behind most of the main openings - rather than just providing masses of indigestible variations.

[Vince]

Awesome for the beginning chess player