The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings: Algebraic Notation [Paperback]

Reuben Fine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 1990

In the opening, each player tries to control the center, set up a flexible pawn structure, develop the pieces rapidly and harmoniously, sometimes even go for direct attack. But there are so many complicated variations -- how can you memorize them all?

You can't -- and you don't have to! If you understand the basic goals of the opening you're playing, you will know which moves fit logically into its overall scheme. This classic, best-selling volume, now completely reset in modern algebraic notation, explains everything you need to know to play the opening sensibly and successfully.

Reuben Fine, an International Grandmaster, is one of the world's top players and a leading theoretician of chess. He is the author of over half a dozen books, including the definitive Basic Chess Endings.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In the opening, each player tries to control the center, set up a flexible pawn structure, develop the pieces rapidly and harmoniously, sometimes even go for direct attack. But there are so many complicated variations -- how can you memorize them all?

You can't -- and you don't have to! If you understand the basic goals of the opening you're playing, you will know which moves fit logically into its overall scheme. This classic, best-selling volume, now completely reset in modern algebraic notation, explains everything you need to know to play the opening sensibly and successfully.

Reuben Fine, an International Grandmaster, is one of the world's top players and a leading theoretician of chess. He is the author of over half a dozen books, including the definitive Basic Chess Endings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: D. McKay Co.; 1st edition (August 22, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812917561
• ISBN-13: 978-0812917567
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

291 of 296 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars General ideas behind some major openings, May 11, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings: Algebraic Notation (Paperback)

IDEAS BEHIND THE CHESS OPENINGS gives you a general idea of what most of the openings are about. Don't look at this book to find the most modern and detailed analysis of any specific opening as it is very general. Since this book was written over 40 years ago, though updated some, it will not cover modern ideas. "Understanding the Chess Openings" in my opinion does a better job of what this book is intended to do. I also can suggest to understand the ideas and tricky parts of openings you get "Winning Chess Traps" as well. Do not just memorize moves - understand the ideas!

124 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware. I really did not like it, December 30, 2004

By 

Jeffrey P. Nicholas (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings: Algebraic Notation (Paperback)

Although I realize a lot of people think highly of this book, I really did not like it or find it useful. This was one of the first three books on chess that I ever bought. (That was 20 years ago; I now have about 30). I found it to be useless then and I have picked it up a few times since then and still don't find it to be useful. For the life of me I don't see where the IDEAS are that this book is named for. I see dozens of opening lines with very little in the way of explanation about the IDEAS behind the opening(s). I found Horowitz's How to Win in the Chess Openings a lot more useful in that regard--explaining the IDEAS behind the chess openings. (Although Horowitz's book is no panacea either). If you are starting out, I'd suggest thinking twice on this one. Maybe check it out at the library and if you like it, then think about buying it.

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Flawed Masterpiece..., May 14, 2003

By 

Jean-Marc M Salama (Melbourne, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings: Algebraic Notation (Paperback)

This is truly a great book for beginners and medium-level players. It really helps in understanding the reasons behind the first or so 10-15 moves, rather than mechanically following what the grand masters play. This book should be one of the first in every chess player's library.
Why only 3 stars then ? I hear you ask. Well, this edition "supersedes" previous ones by converting the moves to the now-popular algebraic notation. Unfortunately, I counted over a dozen mistakes in the conversion. It's already hard enough to follow the hundreds of variations as it is, without inserting red herrings. The proof reading done on this edition is really quite unacceptable !
It's quite difficult to follow through the variations to their end using a normal chess board. Too many times positions need to be restored to a certain complicated position. My solution: I went through the book using a chess program on my lap top. It was then easy when required to reset the board to a given move.