How to Play the Chess Openings

By Eugene 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Release date: Apr 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9780486158396

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FIRST GROUP

OPEN GAMES

(1. P—K4, P—K 4)

If each opening is based upon an idea peculiar to itself, what is then the idea underlying the open games, determining their characteristics and distinguishing them from other opening systems?

This idea is essentially the rapid occupation of the centre by the pawns and the pieces. The word centre is here applied primarily to the four squares, Q4 and K4 on either side (the little centre) and, in a secondary sense, to the sixteen central squares (the enlarged centre). It goes without saying that in this system one must follow Morphy’s principle: a rapid development of the pieces and their grouping around the centre and on the central lines.

CENTRE GAME

(1. P—K4, P—K4; 2. P—Q4)

Let us attempt first of all the immediate occupation of the little centre and after playing the King’s pawn two squares, let us advance the Queen’s pawn to Q4 without any preparation and see what advantage we can get from it.

with advantage to Black.

It is scarcely necessary to pursue our analysis any further, for it is evident that Black should have the advantage. He has two Knights in play, while White has achieved nothing but the posting of his Queen in an unfavourable position where she hinders the development of the Queen’s Bishop. To sum up, the advance of the Queen’s pawn has brought about the exchange of that pawn and the premature development of the Queen; she soon becomes the target of numerous attacks, each permitting the entry into the game of another enemy piece.

NO. I. POSITION AFTER BLACK’S 4TH MOVE

Nevertheless let us examine whether, in spite of appearances, White cannot obtain an advantage. He has at his disposal two lines of play (a) a direct attack and (b) a normal development.

QUESTION 1. How should Black continue if, instead, White played 6. Q—K2?

and Black has a big advantage in development.

We see that as a result of this attack White has no centre at all, for even the King’s pawn has disappeared. In the final position White has not developed a single piece and his King has lost the right of castling. On the other hand, Black has developed three pieces, he will soon capture the pawn at his QB2 and has already made the important move P—Q4.

A Trap! Do not win the pawn by 8. . . . ., BxKt; 9. BxB, KtxP, for White will obtain a strong attack, e.g., 10. Q—B4, Kt—B3; 11. Kt—B3, P—Q3; 12. Kt—Kt5, B—K3; 13. B—Q3, P—KR3; 14. P—KR4, etc. (Winawer v. Steinitz, Nuremburg Tournament, 1896).

QUESTION 2. What continuation do you suggest here for White and for Black?

This line of play gives Black more difficulty since both sides are equally developed. But this is very much less than in other openings because of the obvious counter-chances. Not only can Black attack White’s castled position, but he can speculate on the weakness of the King’s pawn. White, to continue his attack, cannot avoid playing P—KB4 and then the King’s pawn in an open file will be at the mercy of his opponent. That the pawn can find safety in the advance to K5 is doubtful; on account of the reply P—Q3 it will no longer be secure there. Moreover, the advance to K5 will create strong points for Black at his Q4 and KB4. Nevertheless, we must not think that White’s position is desperate; in certain cases he can even stage an attack as is clearly shown by the foregoing

Reviews for How to Play the Chess Openings

[bluetyson_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A useful guide, for when I was interested. If you are going to a club or other place for a game, a convenient small size to brush up on things if you want a refreshers.Goes over all the major and not so major necessary situations and strengths to understand.