Chess Opening Names: The Fascinating & Entertaining History Behind The First Few Moves

by Nathan Rose

The people, places and stories behind the chess openings and their names When we play chess, the first few moves define the game . You probably know the names the Sicilian Defense, the Ruy Lopez, the French Defense, the Caro-Kann, the Benoni, the London System, the Scandinavian Defense and so on. But most chess players don't know WHY the openings are called what they are. In this entertaining book, bestselling author Nathan Rose lays out the origins of over 50 standard chess openings and their names. The tales are often deeply connected to the lives of the leading chess grandmasters, the historical events taking place at the time, and the critical chess world championship contests. All these stories are collected together in this, the first book dedicated to uncovering them. The names of the chess openings tell the history of chess. You will meet larger than life characters such as Bobby Fischer, Aron Nimzowitsch, Alexander Alekhine, Frank Marshall, Siegbert Tarrasch, Wilhelm Steinitz, and Paul Morphy. Some of these men won their fame in the chess world championship, while some gained wider renown for reasons other than their ability to play chess. You will be agog at Paul Morphy's stunning conquest of Europe and subsequent disappearance, the outrageous antics of Aron Nimzowitsch upon losing a game, and the eccentric names Alexander Alekhine gave his cats. You will also travel through the places and events that defined chess in the early years. As David Shenk showed in "The Immortal Game", the history of chess has often mirrored the history of society. There's the 1972 world chess championship that pitted the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky against America's irascible Bobby Fischer in the "Match of the Century". The 1939 chess olympiad in Argentina which coincided with the outbreak of World War II. The unveiling of the "Mechanical Turk" chess-playing contraption in 18th-century Vienna. And let's not forget the triumph of Deep Blue over Garry Kasparov. Over 50 standard chess openings and variations. The Ruy Lopez Philidor Defense Evans Gambit Petrov's Defense Schliemann-Jaenisch Gambit Falkbeer Countergambit Staunton Gambit Anderssen's Opening Morphy's Defense Caro-Kann Defense Bird's Opening Winawer Variation Albin Countergambit Steinitz Variation Chigorin Defense Alapin's Opening Maroczy Bind Tarrasch Defense Marshall Defense Rubinstein Variation Alekhine's Defense Grunfeld Defense Reti Opening Nimzowitsch Defense Najdorf Variation Pirc Defense Torre Attack Grob's Attack Larsen's Opening Benko Gambit Fischer Defense The English Opening Scotch Opening French Defense Dutch Defense Danish Gambit Indian Defense Scandinavian Defense Sicilian Defense Catalan Opening Baltic Opening Slav Defense London System Paris Opening Berlin Defense Vienna Game Budapest Gambit Leningrad Variation Scheveningen Variation The Dragon Variation Giuoco Piano Benoni Defense Grand Prix Attack Orangutan Opening Fried Liver Attack Impress your friends with superior opening knowledge - withou

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction, History, Gaming, Audiobook

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2017

About the author

Nathan Rose is a bestselling author of books about technology, creativity, and strategy.

Author of "Equity Crowdfunding", "Chess Opening Names" (Vol 1 + 2), "The Crypto Intro" and "Rewards Crowdfunding".

Currently working on "Citizens of the World" - an enquiry into stories and impact of the digital nomad movement.

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✰ Website: www.nathanrose.me
✰ Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/nathanrose
✰ Goodreads Author Page: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7707546...
✰ LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhrose/

"To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." - Buckminster Fuller

Reviews

[Rossdavidh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have known the rules of chess for a long time, and I even recall playing chess against my dad once or twice (he started without his queen, which he said was what his dad did when playing him as a boy), I never really learned much past the basic rules until a few months ago. It was, in fact, my daughter rather than my father who sparked my interest in chess, although we have mostly played against bots on chess.com (sometimes working together). At a fairly early point, it became apparent that I needed to know something better than "look to see if the other side left one of their pieces vulnerable", not least because if they did it is as likely to be bait for a trap as it is a mistake.

After not too long, I learned a couple other things which helped: try to control the center of the board and try to "castle" early. Then, I figured out that when playing computers in particular, it is a good idea to try to set up as many "even" trades (rook for a rook, knight for a bishop, etc.) as possible, since the computer does not get worse at keeping track of 16 pieces than it is at keeping track of 4 or 5, but I certainly do. This allowed me to get good at defeating the "easy" level bots, but then I stalled out.

I noticed, after a while, that when I lost to a bot, it was most often very early; if I made it past the middle game, I rarely lost. However, when I lost early, my initial profanity was often quickly followed by something along the lines of, "huh, that looks really familiar, like I've fallen for that trick before". Well, it turns out that even bots which have been dumbed down a bit to make them possible for mere mortals to beat, have studied their openings. If I was going to get any better, I decided I would have to do the same.

But, memorizing a bunch of opening sequences sounded too much like work, so I opted for a book which leavened the work of studying openings with a short (2-3 page) story about each one's origins. Some are named after early chess masters or teachers, some for the city or country first identified with their use. Is it as straightforward a way as just using flashcards and spaced repetition memorizations? Probably not. But it's way more interesting. I'm only playing chess for fun, after all.

But, I admit, I'm still bad at openings. I may beat Sven, the elo-1100 bot on chess.com, more than half the time, but when he wins it is often in less than 10 turns. Perhaps I need to read the book a second time? Fortunately, it's a painless task. Seriously, if you are only wanting to study chess openings, this book doesn't even really promise to help you do that, but if you're interested in chess, but not enough to make a chore of it, this is a good compromise.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Look into the Origins of Chess Openings

This is a surprisingly interesting book about the origins of the names of chess opening strategies. The book is divided into three main sections, depending on the origin of the opening: people, places, and stories. For the people section, he gives a little background about the person for whom an opening is named, sometimes putting the man and the moves into historical context as well. If there is a written source for the opening, that is included as well.

There is only one downside to this book. The author has chosen to use algebraic chess notation but doesn't explain what that is and how to interpret it. Rather, he refers you to a video about it on his website. In a book where so much depends upon each individual move in the opening, I think that an explanation of this system is required for both chest novices and more experienced players who don’t know about this notation. As a visual person, too, I might have liked to have seen the chess diagram boards with arrows and/or numbers showing the move. I will admit to being a chess novice, having only played on occasion, but I do find it an interesting mental challenge. If you have an interest in chess, or even the history of the game, you might find this as engaging a read as I did.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.

[Robert Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breezy, very enjoyable book. Listened to the audiobook version and apart from a few forgivable mispronunciations - La Bourdonnais, Maróczy (corrected near the end) - it was a really pleasant listening experience, full of interesting tidbits and history. Now I have to get back to studying the endgame!

[Peter J Goeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was hard to attain maximum benefit from this book because there were so many openings discussed. Hard to remember all the stories. I did appreciate his brief discussions about the people involved though. For what the book claims and attempts to accomplish, it does well. It is basically a primer on chess openings and where they originated.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. As an avid chess player for many years it’s interesting to get to read some interesting and entertaining facts about the game and certain moves. The diagrams help to explain exactly which move the author is discussing. A great book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fascinating and unusual chess book. While it's not a tactical book, just going through a number of openings is itself a primer in studying this part of your game. How do you open and how does an opponent counter?

Rose also manages to trace, in part, a history of the development of the game through the chronology of when some of these openings came to the fore.

A perfect gift for chess-obsessed friends. Just because they might be great at chess doesn't mean they know anything behind the history of these openings.

[Zardoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating & informative read delivered in a coffee table, easy to access index.

It is great to know the meanings to openings we use & those that are used against us.
I feel a closer relationship to these openings, their accredited founders & the game of chess in general.

Well laid out & great to pick up from time to time.

Highly recommend for any chess player looking to develop their relationship with the game & indeed, it would also be a well received gift to any chess player.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enrich Your Game With Chess History And Trivia!

This a delightful collection of information about opening names for chess enthusiasts, history buffs, and trivia fans.

After a brief introduction, opening names are grouped into three subject areas: people, places, and stories. Each entry gives a brief history of the person, place, or story named. While there is a very brief part of the description of each move that chess novices might find difficult to follow, the vast majority of the book is easy enough to follow without prior knowledge of the game.

This book is nicely written and logically organized. It is (mostly) easy to follow. It makes a great reference book or gift. I rate it four stars.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting tidbits of information here and there, but the book seems pitched at a player on the middle-school chess team who really doesn’t like reading very much. If ever there was a book that was too easy to read, this is it.

[Connor+Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Covers the origins of most popular named Chess openings well. If you like chess trivia, it is well worth a read.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK I like to play chess and it was fascinating to read how the bewildering myriad of chess opening names came to be. If you like games and history this book should be of interest to you.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan Rose has a dry, acerbic sense of humor that really caught me off guard. This is not something you expect when reading a book on chess. I sometimes felt that this was John Cleese, in his finest newscaster form, talking. This means, in a book filled with the history of opening chess moves, that it is entertaining, educational and funny! Yeah! Chess is fun! (Seriously, it is a great game, but this would be a terrific book for someone who thinks otherwise)

The approach the author takes is to briefly discuss the opening then examine the originator and provides some insights into their lives and some amusing chess anecdotes. Yes, Ruy Lopez and the Sicilian are in here, but so is the Dragon and the Fried Liver! What? You have never heard of the Fried Liver? Hmmm, bit of a philistine huh? Maybe you should get this book? Seriously, it is wonderful. A lot of ground is covered and you learn about these moves in an entirely new light. We learn why some were successful, and others, not so much. How about the Orangutang? (Seriously, not making that up. And when you get to the story, well, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction!)

For the aficionado, a nice light read. For the beginner, a great introduction that will pique curiosity. For the rest of us? Well, we may learn some new openings to try. And, as the author suggests, even if they don't work, we can hide our loser's shame by asking, "So, do you know where that opening came from? Let me tell you a funny story!"

[David King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love playing chess and loved the chess opening names even more. What a fantastic book! It explains the history behind famous chess openings such as
-the "French Defense" linked to Napoleon defeat at the hands of Nelson in London.
-the "London Opening" linked to a chess tournament held in London in 1922. It is based on a solid way without complications just like the English conduct business: solid, efficient
-the "Dragon Variation" linked to the Dragon Constellation in the sky
-the "Sicilian Defense" linked to the mafia’s reputation for violence in Sicily. It is most fitting that the Sicilian Defense is one of the most murderous openings available.

[Pierfrancesco Aiello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book was mostly a collection of some openings and the story around them. Like 70 story and 30 chess.

Instead it is more 50-50. The historical notes aren't that deep either, with some patience and focus on the internet one finds more or less the same information. Nonetheless there are many pointers from where to start a little research, therefore the book is still somewhat enjoyable.

[James Weakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

History, humor, and chess

This book gives each of the above in good measure, allowing the reader an enjoyable and accessible look at the history of the various opening names in chess.

[Richard Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and Helpful

Really enjoyed reading this. Always wanted to know the stories behind the strange opening names. Not just interesting but useful too. Helps you understand and remember the various openings.

[Maximilian Nightingale]

Surprisingly not that difficult to follow most of the openings laid out (I was on audio but it was slow enough for me to imagine it). Lots of little history lessons tied in with evaluations of the various openings.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative book worth a read

[Helfren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of chess opening and the name of the opening in chess. A very revealing origin about where the chess moves come from and the history behind it. A refreshing type of book to read.

[mkay313 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light read for an afternoon or two. I'll probably keep coming to it when expanding my chess knowledge and looking for the story behind the moves :)

[Eli Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and Entertaining

This books gives you a taste of the rich history of chess and the people who have played it over the centuries.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun stories about opening names and the historical context/events surrounding them.

[Firoze Cassim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating history and anecdotes about Chess Opening Names!

[Tim O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, informative and witty facts about how some chess openings obtained their names.