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My interpretation of this is that the author's work was an attempt to expand on the encyclopedia text such as MCO, ECO, NCO, etc. by expounding on the ideas instead of structuring the work around lines of code. From the two volumes I have read I can say that this would certainly be a success. I had read elsewhere that this fourth volume was not initially planned and came along as the cornucopia of chess openings proved too great for three volumes. This is most fortunate for anyone who reads this fourth volume. Chapters 1 and 2 contain work on the Reti opening which is a logical continuation from coverage of 1.c4 in the third volume. The work then begins to curve into a different direction by looking at both the “Modern Kingside Fianchetto” and Modern Queenside Fianchetto.” The curve is not into less known or applicable opening explorations. Questions of move order, especially early in the opening, are given a place. I felt that these openings received less respect than 1.e4 / 1.d4 lines in the book, but only because they resonated less with the author’s tastes. Following this the book takes a look at gambits, which Mr. Watson feels work as a training tool or path to understanding how the pieces work together. Openings starting with the f-pawns and reversed openings receive their own chapter followed by “Symmetry and its Descendants.” By now the book has changed from a review of the motives or ideas behind hard theory and are delving into questions of practical as well as philosophical approach to opening selection. “Irregular Openings and Initial Moves” is the final act in the exploration of the openings. Two chapters remain, “Choosing and Preparing Openings” followed by “The Future of Openings”. I could easily say that the first four chapters of this book by themselves would have made a fine piece of work. Doing that would however ignore the real value of Mr. Watson’s labor on this volume. As a manual to help players understand the Reti Opening those four chapters would be the equal of anything on the market, at least of what I have seen. Of course it also works as the final piece in the work on openings in general. What really comes through is Mr. Watson’s approach to understanding openings. It would be impossible to present an argument to Mr. Watson suggesting that 1.g3 is a better initial move than 1.e4, yet the value of 1.g3 is recognized by Mr. Watson to the extent that he accepts it at the table as part of the openings family.
Is this an objective merit in chess terms? Probably not, yet far too frequently authors, critics and players alike have taken to the high road of “correct play” in the opening as a matter of chess etiquette. It is abundantly clear that the author, just as the rest of us, has chessic values that are central to his understanding as a chess player. Still, he steps aside to accept that another player has a different view which merits consideration. By the point that Mr. Watson arrives at the irregular openings the work has been very clearly touched by a philosophical thread. The final two chapters are entirely based on that thread. How should we try to select, study and work with our openings and what benefit can be found from that work. These seem like easy enough questions, but do not be fooled. Mr. Watson has gone to extreme lengths to put his thinking on these questions onto paper. I don’t know if I would agree entirely with the scale he uses for rating opening progressions, but he teaches chess and I don’t. Gambit has become one of the standards for chess literature and this is another fine example. Cover art is pleasing to the eye, spine and pages well bound and the pages are clear with good diagrams. I would suggest checking the Gambit website. To sum up; this book works on many levels. If you want a book to learn variations, well I guess you better play the Reti or some other flank opening to get this book. Should your interest be in extending your knowledge of the theory of openings and their study then I think this should go on your list immediately.
On the
chance that the reader of this review is looking for insight from an
experienced titled player into questions of opening philosophy and how to
formulate the self questioning mode of such a player, then this book is a
must. Very rarely does a player open up about how things work in openings
to the extent that Mr. Watson has here. See also:
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Chessville
The
Advertise to Single insert:
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This
goes further in chapter 8 on irregular openings. Mr. Watson suggests that
one appeal of many “unorthodox” openings is that players want to have a line
or variation that they can feel is their own niche.
