How to Play the Chess Openings

by Eugène Znosko-Borovsky

With this book, all one needs to know are the fundamental rules of chess and ordinary chess notation in order to gain a thorough understanding of the all-important opening game in its many variations. Simply, clearly, and with keen appreciation of the amateur's usual limitations, International Grandmaster Znosko-Borovsky explains the importance of rapid development of the pieces, occupation of the center, the relation of the opening to the general plan of the player, and the significance of control of the center.
Each major opening is then detailed and analyzed with the emphasis on explanation that is easy to follow. Special attention is paid to traps — both the mistakes often made by amateurs, and the classic traps, such as Greco's and Tarrasch's. "Chess is a game of understanding and not of memory," says Znosko-Borovsky, and he promotes the reader's understanding of the openings by discussing purpose and plan frequently, as against memorization of moves. Those acquainted with Znosko-Borovsky's other books, How Not to Play Chess and The Art of Chess Combination will rediscover in this book Znosko-Borovsky's unique clarity, ease of style, and profundity.
"In the teaching of chess he may claim to have no superior." — Philip W. Sergeant.

Genres: Chess, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1971

Reviews

[Rick Taglieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

At over 80 years old, you’re not going to become a grandmaster reading this book. But his logical way of showing how different openings build on each others moves from weak openings to stronger it’s quite accessible and good for the club player.

[Fred Langlais Villa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief introduction to different openings. I read my dad's copy from the 70s when I started learning chess.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middling as a primer, but great as a "spot check" for one's overall understanding of the game. This is not the first book a beginner should read. Opening knowledge is really only useful if you have the skill to convert whatever advantage you get from the opening into a win. That skill can be attained (and trained) by solving puzzles, playing vs real opponents, and studying games played between titled players.

Theory has changed since this book was first published. Titled players (with the help of engines) have found active and interesting tries in openings the author wrote off as "dull". But I found the variations and game fragments instructive. The author's emphasis on understanding over memorization is valid. Sadly, the content is uneven. Analysis of classical openings comprise the bulk of this book and sections about the more modern openings (like the Sicilian) are very, very short. Also, the moves are written in descriptive notation (example: 1. P-K4 instead of 1. e4), which modern readers might find frustrating to decipher.