Chess Openings--Your Choice!: Your Choice!

First published in 1985. For many years Stewart Reuben has been one of the mainstays of British chess - having held practically every position of importance in the British Chess Federation as well as being involved in the organisation of virtually every competition of note in the UK including the 1986 Kasparov - Karpov World Championship. In this book designed for the club player, Stewart uses his long experience to impart advice on how to play the opening stage of a chess game. The book avoids the over subtle complexity which so often afflicts modern openings theoretical treatises and concentrates on good solid advice for the aspiring player

Its a great book and by the way Stewart's a very nice guy, got him to autograph it for me at a tourney a couple of years back. Did not play him but will, one of these days. It's a good modern over view, similar in style to Reuben Fine's "Ideas behind the openings book". Its excellent as your first opening book, gives a great overview in a compact size. I would recommend for anyone under 1600. However what spoilt it was one of the IMs mentioning that Stewart was not that strong a player which is a fact, he'd just below 2200. That's 600 points above a 1600 player so do not be too concerned. What redeemed the book for me was his clear lay out and style. As the years have gone by I have returned and looked at the variations, they have all proved solid. Some of his pet lines are there (He tells you that!). There are words of wisdom spread out through the book, including choice of repertoire, further reading and an over view of pawn positions. My guess is that Stewart was an IM once upon a time. My only wish was that this had been my first opening book I think my opening knowledge would have progressed faster and further. In my opinion this is the closest natural successor to Fine's classic. And Stewart if you one day need a hand to revise this one email me! Oh by the way I am now close to IM level!

Intended for less-experienced players, this book covers about 24 major openings and their major variations. This is a great book for anyone with limited time and experience but who doesn't want an encyclopedia or some Grandmaster deciding for him what his opening "repertoire" should be. When I was under 1700 I loved this book because I could get a general understanding of several main openings and get a taste of what seemed interesting. If you're a relatively lower-rated player, you'd probably be better off investing most of your time on tactics, and leaving those 20 move variations to the masters. This is a good way to start towards mastery (from a 2087 player). Why isn't this book 20% off?