AMATEUR OPENING FAVORITES:

 

THE COLLE-KOLTANOWSKI SYSTEM by Valerij Bronznik

The most detailed study ever done on the ever-popular Colle. (1400 on up)

 

THE ULTIMATE COLLE by Gary Lane

An excellent book on this easy to learn but dangerous opening. (1400 on up)

 

DIE TSCHIGORIN VERTEIDIGUNG (THE CHIGORIN DEFENSE) by Valeri Bronznik

The Chigorin is a hyper-aggressive counter to 1.d4. Is it sound? According to Bronznik and IM Watson (who loves this book), it is. In German. (1600 to grandmaster)

 

GAMBIT GUIDE to the TORRE ATTACK by Burgess

The Torre Attack was a favorite of Petrosian, and has been used successfully by generations of players looking for an easy to learn system that’s also full of poison. Burgess does the best job I’ve ever seen of putting the many lines in detailed but digestible form. (1200 on up)

 

THE VERESOV by Nigel Davies

Yet another great effort by grandmaster Davies. If you play the often underestimated Veresov, or have to face it as Black, this is a must buy. (1600 on up)

 

WINNING WITH THE TROMPOVSKY by Peter Wells

Peter is one of my favorite writers, and this is one of the best opening books I’ve ever seen. Full of life, humor, and detailed (and often original) analysis, I’m forced to use the “must buy” moniker if you play either side of this dangerous system. (1600 to grandmaster)

 

 

OPENING ODDITIES:

 

THE BLACK KNIGHT'S TANGO by Orlov

A dangerous and sound system of play against 1.d4. To my knowledge, this is the only book that studies it in detail. (1600 on up)

 

DER LINKSSPRINGER 1.Nc3 by Harald Keilhack

If you have a taste for the bizarre, and like the idea of shocking your opponents with 1.Nc3, then this huge (several hundred page) book is a dream come true. It not only offers up detailed information about all 1.Nc3 specific variations, but also explores the many transpositions that are a normal part of this first move. In German. (1400 on up)

 

SECRETS OF CHESS OPENING SURPRISES by Jeroen Bosch

 

SECRETS OF CHESS OPENING SURPRISES, VOLUME 2 by Jeroen Bosch

These enjoyable two books by Bosch offer up many odd but effective modern ideas in mainstream lines that you might be playing. When you see these bizarre ideas, then realize how they rake in the points, you’ll be glad you joined Bosch’s bandwagon. (1400 on up)

 

 

OPENING REFERENCE:

 

MODERN CHESS OPENINGS by Nick De Firmian

 

NUNN'S CHESS OPENINGS by John Nunn

Every library needs a one-volume opening reference. These two are way ahead of the pack, and your choice depends on personal preference. The fact is, you can’t go wrong either way. (1000 on up)