How to Open a Chess Game by Larry Evans (RHM Press) & Multiple World-Class Grandmasters

How to Open a Chess Game by Larry Evans (RHM Press) & Multiple World-Class Grandmasters

Written by Grandmaster Larry Evans and featuring contributions from several world-class grandmasters, including Svetozar Gligorić, Vlastimil Hort, Lajos Portisch, Tigran Petrosian, Bent Larsen, and Paul Keres, this unique opening guide explores how strong players think about the first phase of a chess game. Published by RHM Press, the book presents opening ideas through the perspectives of different elite players with distinct styles.

Rather than being a traditional opening encyclopedia, the book focuses on the thought process behind opening decisions. Each grandmaster explains how to approach opening preparation, choose plans, develop pieces, and create favorable middlegame positions. The emphasis is on understanding opening principles, strategic ideas, and practical decision-making instead of memorizing endless variations.

Topics Covered

• Fundamental opening principles
• Developing pieces effectively
• Control of the center
• Creating a strong opening plan
• Choosing suitable opening systems
• Strategic ideas behind major openings
• King safety and castling decisions
• Transition from opening to middlegame
• Practical opening preparation
• Different approaches to opening play from top grandmasters

Key Features

• Insights from multiple World-Class Grandmasters
• Focus on ideas behind openings rather than memorization
• Explains different playing styles and opening philosophies
• Includes instructive examples from master games
• Covers both strategic and practical opening decisions
• Helps players understand why moves are played
• Classic reference work on opening strategy
• Published by RHM Press

Recommended For

Club players, tournament competitors, chess students, and serious opening learners who want to improve their understanding of opening principles, strategic planning, and the transition from opening to middlegame by learning from the ideas of some of chess history’s greatest players.