Chess Opening Essentials | Volume 2 | Dimitri Komarov, Stefan Djuric & Claudio Pantaleoni

Chess Opening Essentials: Volume 2 is an accessible primer and reference guide that delves into openings starting with 1.d4, including 1.d4 d5, various 1.d4 responses, and the Queen's Gambit.

This volume lays a strong foundation for developing your opening repertoire, clearly outlining key objectives and providing guidance for further study.

Chess Opening Essentials: Volume 2 is suitable for the following levels of players:

Beginner (800–1200 Elo):

• Ideal for beginners who want a clear introduction to 1.d4 openings.
• Explains fundamental opening principles and strategies in an easy-to-follow manner.

Intermediate (1200–1800 Elo):

• Perfect for club players seeking to expand their opening knowledge and build a reliable repertoire.
• Provides enough depth to understand plans and counterplans without overwhelming detail.

Advanced (1800–2100 Elo):

• Useful as a refresher or reference guide to solidify understanding of core principles in 1.d4 openings.
• May lack the depth required for deep theoretical preparation at advanced levels but serves as an excellent foundational resource.

This book is particularly beneficial for players transitioning from basic opening concepts to developing a structured opening repertoire.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Addresses all main variations likely to arise from 1.d4 openings.
• User-Friendly Layout: Highlights important moves and key positions in color for easy reference.
• Timeless Guidance: Focuses on fundamental principles rather than transient trends, ensuring lasting relevance.
• Balanced Insights: Explains plans and counterplans for both White and Black.
• Instructive Examples: Each opening is illustrated with instructive games to enhance understanding.

Reader’s Reviews:

The same feedback applies to all four volumes, and I recommend getting the complete set if you decide to buy any of them. These books cover material far beyond what I’ll need in the near future, but they’re structured in a very accessible way. Unlike many chess books that feel overwhelming and require expert-level focus, these break down variations into manageable sections that are easy to follow. Each opening is organised logically, making the books suitable for skimming or browsing without feeling overloaded - Dorit

This chess book stands out for its exceptional design. The writing is clear, and the explanations are thorough without drowning in unnecessary pedantic detail. It’s a remarkably helpful reference that you can rely on for years to come - Bl*P

If you want to be a better player, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy. It may well be the crown jewel of your chess book collection! - Jeremy Silman, International Master, author of "How to Reassess Your Chess"

About the Authors:

Stefan Đurić is a Serbian chess Grandmaster (GM) recognized for his significant contributions to the chess community. He earned the International Master (IM) title in 1978 and was awarded the Grandmaster title in 1982.

Dimitri Komarov is a Ukrainian chess Grandmaster (GM), coach, and commentator. He achieved the GM title in 1994 and has been a prominent figure in the chess community since.

Claudio Pantaleoni is an Italian chess player and author. He began playing chess in 1972 during the Fischer-Spassky World Championship match. Pantaleoni achieved the title of National Master in 1979 and obtained an Elo rating from FIDE in 1985.

Other Details:

Paperback
Pages: 288
Dimensions: 17 x 1.4 x 23.5cm
ISBN: 9789056912697