Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps
In the first completely instructional book ever written on chess openings, National Master and game strategist for Netflix's The Queen's Gambit Bruce Pandolfini teaches players how to take charge of the game's crucial opening phase. Of the three traditional phases of chess play--the opening, the middle-game and the endgame--the opening is the phase average players confront most often. Unfortunately, though, many openings are not completed successfully, partly because until now most opening instruction has consisted of tables of tournament level moves that offer no explanations for the reasons behind them. Consequently, these classical opening patterns can serve as little more than references to the average player. In Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps, Bruce Pandolfini uses his unique "crime and punishment" approach to provide all the previously missing explanation, instruction, practical analyses, and much, much more. The book consists of 202 short "openers" typical of average players, arranged according to the classical opening variations and by level of difficulty. Each example includes:
-the name of the overriding tactic
-the name of the opening
-a scenario that sets up the tactic to be learned
-an interpretation that explains why the loser went wrong, how he could have avoided the trap, and what he should have done instead
-a review of important principles and useful guidelines to reinforce each lesson Also included are a glossary of openings that lists all the classical "textbook" variations for comparison and reference and a tactical index. Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps is a powerful, pragmatic entry into a heretofore remote area of chess theory that will have a profound influence on every player's game.
-the name of the overriding tactic
-the name of the opening
-a scenario that sets up the tactic to be learned
-an interpretation that explains why the loser went wrong, how he could have avoided the trap, and what he should have done instead
-a review of important principles and useful guidelines to reinforce each lesson Also included are a glossary of openings that lists all the classical "textbook" variations for comparison and reference and a tactical index. Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps is a powerful, pragmatic entry into a heretofore remote area of chess theory that will have a profound influence on every player's game.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0671656902
ISBN13:9780671656904
Release Date:April 1989
Publisher:Touchstone Books
Length:244 Pages
Weight:0.76 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Chess Help
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I just joined GameKnot, a chess site. I got this book because I was losing game after game. This book really helped my games and so did playing with certain ones. Thank you, LINDA
Fun way to study openings
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
This delightful little book is best read side-by-side with an openings reference. The reference shows you all the strong lines. Pandolfini then steps in to show you what's wrong with a bunch of lines you won't find in the reference but which, if you're of a certain level, you'll be wondering about. Or you could start with Pandolfini and then go to the openings reference to find some sensible alternatives (besides the ones Pandolfini offers up), for the side that got "zapped". Either way, you'll end up studying the openings reference in a purposeful way, which is great for retention. The companion volume (which covers openings other than e4-e4) is very noticeably easier in the sense that the zaps there are easier to find, if you're reading the book, as you should, actively. If you think this book is too ridiculously easy, then bully for you. Maybe you should look at Steve Giddins' very nice _101 Chess Opening Traps_, where the bad moves are much more subtle.
Chess Openings: Traps and zaps
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I think that this book teaches a lot of things about chess openings. It goes through many intresting opening and is not at all boring. It deserves 5 stars because it shows what to do if such a piece moves this way but allows you to also prepare yourself for some of the traps you get with that particular opening.
A great book for the average club player
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I found Pandolfini's style very explanatory, yet easy to follow. I would recommend it to the begginer to average player, especially those who prefer king pawn openings.
Probably the book I use most
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I have been playing chess for 14 years now and got this book about a year ago. I still look at it a lot to freshen up on how to get the early advantage against almost any opening. I found it especially helpful with the Sicillian game.
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