An Opening Repertoire for White by Raymond Keene & Byron Jacobs

Written by Grandmaster Raymond Keene and chess author Byron Jacobs, An Opening Repertoire for White is a practical guide for players seeking a complete and dependable opening repertoire based on 1.d4. Rather than covering every possible variation, the book recommends a carefully selected repertoire that combines sound positional principles with active, aggressive play, helping readers build confidence against Black’s major defenses.

The authors explain the strategic ideas behind each recommended line, emphasizing understanding plans, typical pawn structures, and middlegame transitions instead of memorizing long theoretical variations. Through annotated games and clear explanations, readers learn how to handle a wide range of openings with a consistent repertoire.

Topics Covered

• A complete 1.d4 opening repertoire
• Queen’s Gambit systems
• Queen’s Gambit Accepted and Declined
• Slav Defense and Tarrasch Defense
• King’s Indian, Grünfeld, and Nimzo-Indian Defenses
• Benoni, Benko Gambit, and Budapest Gambit
• Dutch, Modern, and other uncommon defenses
• Strategic planning and middlegame ideas

Key Features

• Written by Grandmaster Raymond Keene and Byron Jacobs
• Complete White repertoire based on 1.d4
• Focuses on understanding ideas rather than memorizing theory
• Covers all major Black defenses
• Includes annotated games and practical examples
• Helps players build a consistent and reliable opening repertoire

Recommended For

• Club players building a complete 1.d4 repertoire
• Tournament competitors seeking a dependable opening system
• Serious chess students studying opening strategy
• Players who prefer positional understanding over heavy memorization
• Anyone looking for a practical guide to the major 1.d4 openings