How to Play Good Opening Moves

by Edmar Mednis

Book Overview

Discusses the importance of the beginning phase of a game of chess and offers advice on the selection of opening chess moves. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067914109X
• ISBN13: 9780679141099
• Release Date: September 1986
• Publisher: Random House Puzzles & Games
• Length: 145 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Masterpiece full of typos

If you have basic understanding of chess strategy and tactics this is the book you should buy to play any opening well. It teaches opening principles in plain english. Before you start memorizing variations make yourself a favour and read this littte masterpiece from Mr Mednis. It is a shame this revised algebraic edition if full of typos, which is why I have not given it 5 stars.

Cannot beat basic principles

I have not played competitive chess for over fifteen years now but have decided to get back into the game. I know how important the openings are because there is nothing worse than losing a game before you even start. I also know how boring it can be memorizing different sets of moves. This book teaches you the principle of the opening phase without you having to memorize. When you do start playing the established openings, you will be able to appreciate the underlying thought processes behind them. A must for anyone who wants to get through the opening phase without cramming.

Good Stuff

Many chessplayers concern themselves with memorizing hundreds and hundreds of opening moves. What they don't understand is the ideas behind. Here is a solid book which does not go too deep into openings, but explains the ideas behind them. Along with the openings, Mednis shows master games which were won becuase of solid opening play. A must for a chessplayer who is ready to handle openings theories, but not just memorizing them.

Good Introduction For Beginners: Principles, Plans, Openings

A good intro for relative (but not complete) newcomers to basic opening principles, pawn structures, and a few reliable, classic openings - like the Sicilian, Queen's Gambit Declined, etc. This is not a repertoire book, or comprehensive chess opening book. Other intermediate opening books you might try are: Mike Basman's "Chess Openings" or Stewart Reuben's "Chess Openings Your Choice."

best book ever written on the opening

This book examines the principles behind good opening play, such as playing in the center, king safety and rapid development of the pieces. Other chapters show how these principles are applied in the opening to great effect. There is also an excellent chapter on pawn structure and how it affects opening play. This book avoids the endless theories behind opening play and presents the primary principles behind all good opening play that can never become outdated. The book is very well written and a classic. Edmar Mednis is a great teacher and writer, as this book and the others he has written sufficiently prove.