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· 240 ratings · 7 reviews
Start your review of FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings
Nov 24, 2016 Robert rated it it was amazing
A book written by someone who REALLY loves openings - for readers who shares the same passion.
I believe that the most difficult thing for the writer was to avoid to repeat himself by using the common phrases time and time again - and I think that regarding that he has done a great job. Take, for example, how he introduces the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kan: "Strange as it may sound, theory of the Advance Variation is practically brand new.By decades nobody was interested, since 3 e5 was not t A book written by someone who REALLY loves openings - for readers who shares the same passion.
I believe that the most difficult thing for the writer was to avoid to repeat himself by using the common phrases time and time again - and I think that regarding that he has done a great job. Take, for example, how he introduces the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kan: "Strange as it may sound, theory of the Advance Variation is practically brand new.By decades nobody was interested, since 3 e5 was not taken seriously. The old theoretical 'assessment' can be summarized as follows: "Black plays 3...Bf5 and since he has developed his queen's bishop outside his pawn-chain he now has an improved version of the Advance French. Black will pay ...e6, probably ...c5 at some point and he has solved 'the problem of the French bishop', period." Sometimes the variation 4 Bd3 Bxd3 5 Qxd3 was added to show how little promise this line holds for White. Today, this view of the Advance Variation has changed beyond recognition."
I remember that the books would add the maneuver 5...e6 6 Nf3 Qa5 followed by 7...Qa6, thus encompassing the picture of the impotence of White's set up.
The author also knows how to insert from time to time a touch of humor, like in this sentence: "It took a long time for the chess world to realize that this pawn sacrifice is more than just an empty macho gesture".
Even if one will never play some of the openings mentioned in this book, reading about them is still a pure joy. ...more
I believe that the most difficult thing for the writer was to avoid to repeat himself by using the common phrases time and time again - and I think that regarding that he has done a great job. Take, for example, how he introduces the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kan: "Strange as it may sound, theory of the Advance Variation is practically brand new.By decades nobody was interested, since 3 e5 was not t A book written by someone who REALLY loves openings - for readers who shares the same passion.
I believe that the most difficult thing for the writer was to avoid to repeat himself by using the common phrases time and time again - and I think that regarding that he has done a great job. Take, for example, how he introduces the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kan: "Strange as it may sound, theory of the Advance Variation is practically brand new.By decades nobody was interested, since 3 e5 was not taken seriously. The old theoretical 'assessment' can be summarized as follows: "Black plays 3...Bf5 and since he has developed his queen's bishop outside his pawn-chain he now has an improved version of the Advance French. Black will pay ...e6, probably ...c5 at some point and he has solved 'the problem of the French bishop', period." Sometimes the variation 4 Bd3 Bxd3 5 Qxd3 was added to show how little promise this line holds for White. Today, this view of the Advance Variation has changed beyond recognition."
I remember that the books would add the maneuver 5...e6 6 Nf3 Qa5 followed by 7...Qa6, thus encompassing the picture of the impotence of White's set up.
The author also knows how to insert from time to time a touch of humor, like in this sentence: "It took a long time for the chess world to realize that this pawn sacrifice is more than just an empty macho gesture".
Even if one will never play some of the openings mentioned in this book, reading about them is still a pure joy. ...more
Oct 11, 2016 Rik Herrygers rated it really liked it
Excellent book for chess players who want to understand the openings.
No advanced explanations though. Most lines stop after approximately 10 moves...
Excellent opening reference book. A must for any chess library.
Oct 12, 2021 Andre rated it really liked it
Good:
* Great overview of chess openings.
* Great overview of chess openings.
Bad:
* Missing some of the newly popular variations such as anti-Grünfeld (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. h4).
Gives the ideas behind most chess openings. Easy to read even without a chess board.
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"The purpose of studying opening theory should not be accumulating any set amount of knowledge, but being content with whatever knowledge one has." — 0 likes
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