Understanding the Chess Openings by Sam Collins, 2005 Gambit Publications, Figurine Algebraic Notation, Softcover, 224 pp, $28.95

When I first received this book I didn’t understand the purpose of publishing an overview of all the openings without going into depth about any of them. But the more I read the book, the more I liked it, and the more I wanted to recommend it.

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I also applaud him for calling out the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, which is unfittingly popular amongst lower rated players. Collins writes:

"I’ve seen more promising players lured into incompetence by this opening than I care to remember. The basic pattern is this - player learns BDG, tries to get it in every game, thus limiting his chess experience (and, since the opening isn’t good, he loses too many games, meaning that his rating stays low and he can’t get games against better players). Nobody who plays good chess plays this line, and nobody who plays good chess ever will."

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Carsten Hansen