Easy Guide to the Nimzo-Indian [Paperback]

John Emms (Author)

Book Description

Series: Easy Guide | Publication Date: June 1, 1998

The Nimzo-lndian is one of the most important and popular chess openings among players of all standards. However, there is a dearth of good literature explaining the dynamics of the Nimzo -- a need that this book answers. A battle-hardened grandmaster explains the secrets of the Nimzo-lndian and shows how both sides can play for a win.

Cadogan's new Easy Guide series represents a new approach to chess openings books: just enough detail and just enough explanation to enable readers to play an opening with confidence, without months of memorising theory: the easy way to master a chess opening.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Nimzo-Indian is one of the most important and popular chess openings among players of all standards. However, there is a dearth of good literature explaining the dynamics of the Nimzo - a need that this book answers. A battle-hardened grandmaster explains the secrets of the Nimzo-Indian and shows how both sides can play for a win. Grandmaster John Emms is one of the stars of English chess, who shared first prize in the super-strong 1997 British Championship. He is an extremely experienced player and trainer.

About the Author

John Emms is one of Britain¿s strongest Grandmasters and is a member of the English national team. He has also carved out a reputation for being an excellent chess writer and has many works under his name. He is co-author of the very popular openings bible Nunn¿s Chess Openings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Everyman Chess; 1st edition (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857445139
• ISBN-13: 978-1857445138
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,150,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good repertoire book for black on the nimzo, March 17, 2000

By 

"blitzkrieg47" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Easy Guide to the Nimzo-Indian (Paperback)

The nimzo indian is one of the most solid reply's to queen's pawn openings there is. John Emms takes us through all the different variations making decisions at key junctures about what to play as black. Below, the criticism of his choice of b6 versus the rubinstein variation is not quite correct. He does gloss over other options that black can play, but that is done only to save the reader time when they are studying. Emms did have reservations at first when he was thinking about recommending b6, but he says those disappeared when he realized that Viktor Korchnoi, Michael Adams, and Garry Kasparov play b6 against the rubinstein.

The strategy for both sides is explained thoroughly at the beginning of each chapter and the beginning of the book. There are also many examples from games at the beginning of each chapter. A very good effort from Emms.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sound Nimzo-repertoire for black, September 3, 2003

By 

JIMMY SANDBERG "bookman" (Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Easy Guide to the Nimzo-Indian (Paperback)

Many GM:s have expressed that the author of 'Easy Guide to the Nimzo-Indian' John Emms is a real expert on the Nimzo. He presents a very sound repertoire for black.No strange lines. He prefers lines where Nimzowitsh Ideas are prefered. With other words..the lines where black controls the center with pieces rather than pawns. For Example the b6 variation after 0-0 in the capablancavariation. The 5..Ne4 in the Rubinstein fianchetto variation and the 4..b6 variation after 4.Nf3-the flexible variation.This will learn us to get the the real Nimzo-spirit/knowledge. He gives a good strategical introduction before the theoretical section of every variation.

The only drawback of the book as I view it is that it is too thin! But it follows the title 'Guide'.....so. I think the book is very good to build your nimzo-defence on. I hope that GM Emms as a very respected nimzo expert will wright more books on the nimzo. A book which also would include a lot of games which he annotates.

15 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Oh what might have been ..., September 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Easy Guide to the Nimzo-Indian (Paperback)

John Emms, co-winner of the 1997 British Championship plays the Nimzo-Indian himself and has attempted to write a 'road map' for us lesser fry. He only partly succeeded. The games are mostly modern - good enough. The diagrams are clear - OK. The notes are opinionated at times - no complaints here; I like a guy who can stand up for himself. Best of all he gives us a quiz at the back to see if we were paying attention - good stuff! But ... the quiz could have been longer; the recommended reply for Black vs. e3 is ... b6 only. There are many other valid tries but Emms glosses over them, and even admits that he had reservations about ... b6 while writing his book ,,,hmmmm.. And we are subjected to some tired replays of famous games including Botwinnik-Capablanca, AVRO '38 and Johner-Niemzowitsch, Dresden '26. Both fine games to be sure, but published many times before. All in all I think he dropped the ball ...