The Opening Game in Chess

by Luděk Pachman

Rear cover notes: "Ludek Pachman is well-known as the author of a number of books covering the whole range of opening play in chess. He has recently, however, become convinced that mere rote learning... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0710092229
• ISBN13: 9780710092229
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Routledge & Kegan Paul Books
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.

Customer Reviews

If you are under 1800 and you see this book,buy it!

Ludek Pachman is an under-recognized chess writer. He is one of thiose rare writers who is a grandmaster yet knows how to write to an audience of developing players. This book is long out of print but I have taken the dog-eared copy out of my local library several times. Instead of dividing up the openings by variation, as reference manuals do (MCO, BCO, etc.), Pachman uses opening analysis to illustrate themes in the opening like development, opening lines, pawn chains and the like. What one can learn here is HOW to play the openings, not WHAT to play. If you are not comfortable with your opening knowledge, this book, as well as Horowitz' How to Win in the Chess Openings and Fine's The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings will make you a player to be reckoned without having to memorize reams of variations.