Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps

I just joined GameKnot, a chess site. I got this book because I was losing game after game. This book really helped my games and so did playing with certain ones. Thank you, LINDA

This delightful little book is best read side-by-side with an openings reference. The reference shows you all the strong lines. Pandolfini then steps in to show you what's wrong with a bunch of lines you won't find in the reference but which, if you're of a certain level, you'll be wondering about. Or you could start with Pandolfini and then go to the openings reference to find some sensible alternatives (besides the ones Pandolfini offers up), for the side that got "zapped". Either way, you'll end up studying the openings reference in a purposeful way, which is great for retention. The companion volume (which covers openings other than e4-e4) is very noticeably easier in the sense that the zaps there are easier to find, if you're reading the book, as you should, actively. If you think this book is too ridiculously easy, then bully for you. Maybe you should look at Steve Giddins' very nice _101 Chess Opening Traps_, where the bad moves are much more subtle.

I think that this book teaches a lot of things about chess openings. It goes through many intresting opening and is not at all boring. It deserves 5 stars because it shows what to do if such a piece moves this way but allows you to also prepare yourself for some of the traps you get with that particular opening.

I found Pandolfini's style very explanatory, yet easy to follow. I would recommend it to the begginer to average player, especially those who prefer king pawn openings.

I have been playing chess for 14 years now and got this book about a year ago. I still look at it a lot to freshen up on how to get the early advantage against almost any opening. I found it especially helpful with the Sicillian game.