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Starting Out: the Ruy Lopez
Ideal for those wanting to understand the basics of the Ruy Lopez.
The Ruy Lopez is one of the most famous of all chess openings. It has a long and distinguished history and has been played by virtually all of the strongest Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik, Anand ¿ the list goes on! From very early on White activates pieces, takes the initiative and sets about building a dominant centre. In this user-friendly book, author John Shaw goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Ruy Lopez and its many variations. Throughout the book there are an abundance of notes, tips, warnings and exercises to help the improving player, while key strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.
* User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas
* Concentrates on the key principles of the Ruy Lopez
* Ideal for the improving player
The Ruy Lopez is one of the most famous of all chess openings. It has a long and distinguished history and has been played by virtually all of the strongest Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik, Anand ¿ the list goes on! From very early on White activates pieces, takes the initiative and sets about building a dominant centre. In this user-friendly book, author John Shaw goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Ruy Lopez and its many variations. Throughout the book there are an abundance of notes, tips, warnings and exercises to help the improving player, while key strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.
* User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas
* Concentrates on the key principles of the Ruy Lopez
* Ideal for the improving player
- GenresChess
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 15, 2012
The Ruy Lopez is one of if not the oldest chess opening and it is certainly one of the most famous and most played. Discovered 'accidentally' by the Spanish Monk Ruy Lopez (and thus also known as 'The Spanish Opening') in the 16th century, the monk made an 'incorrect' third move with white, Bb5 rather than the 'correct' Bc4. While the opening is included in a 1561 chess book, it did not really catch hold until rediscovered by Carl Jaenisch in the mid-19th century whose work is immortalized in part in the Schliemann–Jaenisch Gambit of the opening.
Every great champion has played this opening and it is one of the most popular especially in the open games. More importantly, it is one that even club players can use effectively with a bit of study and this is the book with which to start your study. Shaw does a marvelous job of laying out all you need to know especially from the white side of the board (the Ruy Lopez can be effective from the black side also when pushed that way by a skilled player). But if you're looking for a starter book, this and any of the Everyman Starting Out series that I have studied, which is most of them, are great places to start. Large and easy to read, clear diagrams on high quality no-glare paper makes it easy to study for hours as you work through the various lines.
A must-have for any serious player looking for a serious open game opening.
Every great champion has played this opening and it is one of the most popular especially in the open games. More importantly, it is one that even club players can use effectively with a bit of study and this is the book with which to start your study. Shaw does a marvelous job of laying out all you need to know especially from the white side of the board (the Ruy Lopez can be effective from the black side also when pushed that way by a skilled player). But if you're looking for a starter book, this and any of the Everyman Starting Out series that I have studied, which is most of them, are great places to start. Large and easy to read, clear diagrams on high quality no-glare paper makes it easy to study for hours as you work through the various lines.
A must-have for any serious player looking for a serious open game opening.
May 27, 2025
The way the book is written is strange - its designed to explore the general ideas of the opening as opposed to going through the theory - which I love for this highly theoretical opening - but it's written too complexly with too much assumed knowledge. If you're a good player looking to start playing the Spanish, great. If you're a beginner wanting to learn this opening, this book is not for you.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews