I am considering buying the book "Fundamental Chess Openings" (Paul van der Sterren), with a view to assessing and perhaps altering parts of my opening repertoire. For an improving (I hope) player of around ECF 160 level, would this book be a good choice?
Alex.
Fundamental Chess Openings (Paul van der Sterren)
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Alexander Hardwick
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Paolo Casaschi
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Re: Fundamental Chess Openings (Paul van der Sterren)
I read the FCO book and I found it very interesting, easy to read and ultimately useful.
It provides a very good overview of each opening, showing the key themes and the development throughout history without getting the reader lost in a multitude of variations. For general chess knowledge, I find it important to know a little bit about everything, even the opening that I might never play. At the same time, it gives enough information to assess new openings you might want later to add to your repertoire. The content of the FCO wont be enough for you to study and prepare any given defense, but it's certainly a good comprehensive start.
Highly recommended, certainly for players up to my level (Elo 2005, ECF 183).
It provides a very good overview of each opening, showing the key themes and the development throughout history without getting the reader lost in a multitude of variations. For general chess knowledge, I find it important to know a little bit about everything, even the opening that I might never play. At the same time, it gives enough information to assess new openings you might want later to add to your repertoire. The content of the FCO wont be enough for you to study and prepare any given defense, but it's certainly a good comprehensive start.
Highly recommended, certainly for players up to my level (Elo 2005, ECF 183).