Modern Chess Openings by Nick de Firmian
“Modern Chess Openings” is a well-known and widely used reference guide for chess players looking to improve their understanding of the game’s opening moves and strategies. Written by Grandmaster Nick de Firmian, who is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on chess openings, having represented the United States in multiple international tournaments, the book covers a wide range of openings with detailed analysis and commentary on dozens of variations.
The book is meant to be used as a reference guide, not to be read from cover to cover, its structure makes it easy for readers to find the information they are looking for by searching for specific openings by name. However, some readers have suggested that it could be improved by placing the more popular and frequently used openings at the beginning, making navigation and study more efficient for some readers. Despite this, it also includes a bibliography that provides more in-depth information on specific openings for those who are interested.
However, it’s not the best choice for beginners, not only because it requires knowledge of chess notation, which can be easily learned, but because beginners should focus on developing fundamental concepts, tactics, and positional understanding before delving into the hundreds of openings and variations that the book covers.
This edition was published in 2008, so it may not have the latest chess innovations and analysis, but it remains a valuable reference guide for intermediate and advanced players. It’s important to note that for most non-titled players, this book should be more than enough to improve one’s understanding and opening repertoire.
In conclusion, “Modern Chess Openings” is a comprehensive reference guide written by an experienced and acclaimed author, that can be of great value for intermediate and advanced players who want to improve their understanding of the game’s opening moves and strategies.
If you are interested in purchasing this book, you can find it on Amazon through the following link: Modern Chess Openings, 15th Edition.
