Because of the sheer volume of variations, possible transpositions and ever-changing theory, chess openings can be overwhelming - even intimidating. This book is an introduction to understanding and playing chess openings. The author, Danish Master Carsten Hansen, stresses opening play based on comprehending opening principles as well as useful, fundamental knowledge. With an overview of all the most important opening variations, examples of good and bad opening play, opening traps and problems to solve, chess openings and its major principles are covered thoroughly.

Many games are lost as a result of a player's poor grasp of even the most basic principles of opening play. This book will help you enhance your understanding and give you guidelines on how to best study and play chess openings, reaching good, playable middlegame positions.

Content:
004 Author's Dedication; Bibliography

005 Introduction

008 1 My Own Experiences with Openings

013 2 Opening Principles

030 3 How do I Decide which opening to choose?

034 4 An Introduction to Opening Theory

039 5 The Open Games

84 6 The Semi-Open Games

141 7 The Closed Games

167 8 The Semi-Closed Games

207 9 Flank Openings

231 10 Where do I go from here?

236 Index of Names and Variations