The Pocket Guide to the Chess Openings by R.C. Griffith and Harry Golombek

The Pocket Guide to the Chess Openings by R. C. Griffith & Harry Golombek

The Pocket Guide to the Chess Openings by R. C. Griffith and Harry Golombek is a compact and practical reference designed to introduce players to the essential ideas of the major chess openings. Originally published in 1949 and later issued in revised editions, the book provides a portable guide to the most important opening systems without overwhelming the reader with excessive theoretical detail.

Rather than serving as an exhaustive encyclopedia, the book focuses on helping players reach sound, playable positions from the opening. It explains the principal variations, basic strategic ideas, and key move sequences across the most popular openings, making it an ideal companion for practical study and tournament preparation.

Topics Covered

• Major Chess Openings and their principal variations
• Opening principles and move orders
• Center Control and piece development
• Common opening plans and strategic ideas
• Pawn Structure fundamentals
• Piece Coordination
• Basic opening classifications
• Practical opening reference for tournament play

Key Features

• Compact, pocket-sized reference for quick consultation
• Covers the most important opening systems without excessive theory
• Emphasizes Strategic Thinking and practical opening play
• Presents clear, easy-to-follow opening variations and recommendations
• Ideal as a portable reference for study and Tournament preparation
• A classic work of chess opening literature that has remained popular through multiple editions

Recommended For

• Beginners learning the fundamentals of chess openings
• Club players building a basic opening repertoire
• Tournament competitors seeking a portable opening reference
• Chess students studying classical opening principles
• Collectors of classic chess literature