How to Win in the Chess Openings

by I.A. Horowitz (Foreword), Sam Sloan

International Master Al Horowitz goes through every major chess opening system and provides just one line of play for White, one line of play for Black, and the reason for each move by White or Black. This book will not show the reader how to win every game, but it will provide an easy route which will enable the player to get a reasonable, playable position out of the opening with good winning chances, even against the strongest opponents, without having to memorize a bunch of opening lines. I am reprinting this book because I learned more useful information from this book than and other chess book I ever read. I memorized the entire book, every move in it, when I was 14. The way I was able to remember the entire book was that, for every move in the book, a reason for the move was given. So, if I was trying to remember what the next move was, I would remember the reason for the move. Once I remembered the reason for the move, then I could figure out what the move was. All of the lines in this book are still played at the top levels. None are obsolete. In addition, while some might consider them to be out of date, I think they are OK because the average chess book buyer is a 1300-1500 player, and they do not need to know the latest theoretical variations. The old lines will do just as well if not better. I will recommend this book to any player rated below 1700.

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction, Classics

200 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 1977

About the author

Israel Albert Horowitz

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many people don't like it because the games are in descriptive notation. The information is golden, the techniques are solid. Many modern chess books are based off of the principles espoused by Horowitz in this book.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great classic chess book. I'm not a fan of descriptive notation, but the knowledge Horowitz drops will encourage a contemporary player to muscle through the old notation. A must read.

[John Haynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written book for intermediate chess players, held back by its notation being descriptive rather than algebraic (instead of 1.e4, written as 1.P-K4). You can pick it up quickly but still a headache at times.

[Herman Schmit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a paper copy of this from the 1960s on my bedstand for a long time. I like the descriptions of the games and the what-if scenarios. Probably not great for super technical chess people.

[Lino Matteo · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be clear, the version I read was even older - 1972, and the original was from 1951. It was something to do. It was useful.

Perhaps I should get a more recent edition?

[a.m. kozak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has some commentary on openings and likely countermoves but I've found lots of resources online much easier to follow and more comprehensive. Mostly interesting because it's an old book.

[bluetyson]

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