Customer Reviews

The Scotch Game (Batsford Chess Opening Guides)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of the best opening books I own. The introduction provides useful information about white's plans in the different variations covered. The primary variations covered (after 1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4) are 4. ... Nf6 and 4. ... Bc5 with some limited coverage for 4. ... Qh4. I especially like Well's discussion for games 15 and 16 (covering 4. ... Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. g3 g6) and how they lead to winnable end games for white. End games, by the way that at first (and second and third for an average Joe like me) glance do not look advantageous for white.

This book has plenty to offer to the intermediate player.

Grandmaster Wells has written a thoughtful, well designed guide to the Scotch game and done it in such a way that it is immediately useful. I've looked at so many opening books that cram in variation after variation in an attempt to cover every possible countermove that they're a pain to work with but here Wells lays out most of the relevant ideas, variations, and games in an appealing, clear fashion. This is a book for the serious club or tournament player who wants something he can immediately use!

This book is a very good guide to the modern Scotch game. The quality of the games is excellent. However, it is a rather advanced book designed to teach the very latest theory. Wells is weak on historical perspective and basic theory that the beginner (under 1500) need. I certainly would buy this book again and am reading it cover to cover.

It explain clearly on the plan of playing Scotch, and also have many new line.

I enjoy playing the Scotch and I was very excited when this new book came out. But, I must say it was not quite what I expected. I am an above average player (1700) and I had hoped this book would add something to my other Scotch book. Sadly, it didn't.