Nick de Firmian

Modern Chess Openings is the best and most trusted tool for serious chess players on the market. First published over a half-century ago, this is a completely revised and updated edition of the book that has been the standard English language reference on chess openings. An invaluable resource for club and tournament players, it now includes information on recent matches and the most up-to-date theory on chess openings.Modern Chess Openings is ideal for intermediate players ready to elevate their game to the next level or International Grandmasters who want to stay on top of recent chess innovations.

Modern Chess Openings, known as MCO, is the best selling and most comprehensive one-volume reference on chess openings. Nick de Firmian, the International Grandmaster who "taught" the supercomputer Deep Blue, reveals how the opening moves of a chess game set its pace and tone and can even determine who wins or loses. In Chess Openings the Easy Way, a special edition of MCO for beginning and intermediate players, de Firmian selects the most important chess openings and the latest innovations of the game.

Two American grand masters provide a practical survey of the English Attack, one of today’s hottest opening variations. In response to Black’s Najdorf Sicilian, White plays 6 f3, which both supports the center e-pawn and prepares to launch a kingside pawn storm against Black’s castled king. However, Black can indeed postpone castling in favor of queenside expansion and regrouping the knight pair at b6 and d7, and be ready for a swift counter punch when White castles long. Tactics and sharp play abound in this most modern of chess openings where precise knowledge of variations is vital.

Modern Chess Openings is the best and most trusted tool for serious chess players on the market. An invaluable resource for club and tournament players, it now includes information on recent matches and the most up-to-date theory on chess openings.Modern Chess Openings is ideal for intermediate players ready to elevate their game to the next level or International Grandmasters who want to stay on top of recent chess innovations.