Winning Chess Openings: 2nd Edition

I like this guy. I initially discovered him from his backgammon books. This is a pretty good book for learning the standard chess openings. I also like his other books in the chess series on middle game tactics and endgame strategy. They're written at the right level for people who know how to play but are essentially beginners as far as serious strategy and tactics go. Unless you can sort a lot of information in your head, you'll need to read this book with a chess board in front of you, so you can see how things look as these standard opening and defense sequences play out. There are some illustrations provided, but some of these openings unfold over the first ten turnsor so, and then Mr. Robertie throws in variations on the main themes, so it is helpful to be able to see it and follow it on a chess board. That's only a problem if, like me, you do most of your reading while commuting. One of the other reviewers, with all the tact of your average chess wunderkind, wrote that he couldn't take advice from someone like Mr. Robertie, who would choose such an unflattering picture of himself to put on the back of his books. I think that's a little uncalled for. I personally am not distressed by his appearance. For one thing, I think he might be British, and some of them just look like that. No big deal. In fact, he reminds me a little of the adorable professor character in "Something About Mary" who turns out to be a pizza deliveryman. If anything about Mr. Robertie rubs me the wrong way, it's the way he frequently talks up what we can learn from him, "you'll be amazed" at your improvement, former superior players will now "be throwing up their hands in surrender." That kind of chatter. It gets old. It gives the feel of a late-night ab workout infomercial. What bothers me the most about this book is something that says more about me than Mr. Robertie. It's the same thing that bothers me when reading up on Doyle Brunson's "Super System" for hold `em, or the backgammon books. It takes the fun out of the games for me to do calculations for every hand or every turn. I have no doubt that knowing the exact number of cards you need to make your hand, or calculating pot odds for every raise and re-raise, or keeping track of exact pip counts in backgammon will improve your game. I'm sure that is the difference between the above average players and the experts. But to me, these improvements come at too high an expense, essentially converting a game into work. I'd much rather have fast action, relying on some combination of instincts and impulses. Particularly in chess, the feeling that one should memorize, know how to play, and know how to defend every opening combination in the repertoire really changes chess from a diversion to a chore. But that's my problem. That's why, in everything I do, I'll always be just good enough to get myself hustled.

This book will not transform you into the next Bobby Fischer, but it is a great guide for the novice or the occasional chess player. For me, I keep a chess set in my office and play some co-workers on occasion. This simple little book greatly improved my play in a short time. Robertie begins with "Winning Ideas." With illustations of chess boards and pieces, he lays out the principles of development (getting your pieces out of their starting positions). He also provides some helpful notes on Pawn Structure. Being only an occasional player of chess, I found that these simple principles -- even apart from the later discussion of detailed Openings -- improved my play. Then the book moves on to chapters about Double King-Pawn openings and the Ruy Lopez, demonstrating such classics as Evans Bambit, The King's Gambit, and the Bishop's Opening. A nice feature is that Robertie uses actual games from the greats to illustrate how particular openings may play out. But what if you play black? Not to fear. There are three chapters on defenses: Black Half-Open Defenses, The Queen's Gambit, and The Indian Defenses. All very helfpul. I'm sure the book will help novices seeking to move on the great and glorious chess play, but it seems ideal for the occasional chess player who wants to improve his game and memorize some solid ways to begin the game.

Bill Robertie covers 25 of the most common openings at a level helpful to the beginner player. He correctly covers only the first several moves of each opening and an occasional variant. Face it, even mastering one opening could take a lifetime for the average player. In the Sicilian Defense alone, there are hundreds of variations and sub-variations.The author presents an extremely well annotated game for each opening to demonstrate the principles and strategy behind each opening.Beginning chess players spend far too much time studying openings. Until you start playing against expert players you don't need an extensive knowledge of openings. The trouble with memorizing openings is that as soon as your opponent makes an out of book move, you are left wondering what to do next. My advice to the beginning chess player is to pick a few openings and learn them well by playing them constantly. Spending your time studying tactics and end game strategy will lead to much quicker improvement in your playing ability.Winning Chess Openings will give you all opening move knowledge you need to become an intermediate level player.Larry Coonrod

After about 15 years off, I started playing chess again about three months ago. I did so badly -- I couldn't beat my PalmPilot at the easy level! -- I realized I needed help. Alhough unrated, I would probably clock in somewhere between 1000-1100 (According to the Chessmaster 9000, anyway. Take that as you will).I've read two of Robertie's books, this one and "Winning Chess Tactics." Both of them deserve the same review:Although this is a very basic book, it's PERFECT for a beginner like me. He starts out with simple concepts and then builds up, and spends his time teaching the basic ideas, whereas other books emphasize material too advanced for a beginning player.Quite a few typos, however.

This book has all the main essential openings. Before this book I only knew a couple of openings. Now I know over 25 strong openings that has increased my rating greatly. It goes through each move and why or why not its a good move this book is a must and for the price how can you go wrong???