Hello,

Which series do you think is the better purchase overall - Everyman's 'Starting Out' books or Gambit's more recent 'Chess Explained' series? I quite like both although I have found that the Chess Explained is usually somewhat more detailed in terms of theoretical coverage. Still, I like the fact that the Starting Out format explains the ideas behind the opening moves in plenty of detail.

Personally I don't like either. I prefer books that try to persuade me that the variation described in the book is unbeatable, not just information on both sides. Not my cup of tea.

Are you referring to repertoire books?

For example: Starting out: The symmetrical English. It shows the advantages and disadvantages on both sides and after reading the book I would feel like I am still at the same place I started: trying to find an opening that I would feel comfortable with. Reading some of those books tend to leave me with the mindset - I hope my opponent doesn't play this.

The simplest solution is to simply not worry about the opening, and just play what you feel like on the day. This isn't the 'best' way to improve of course (not that there is a clearly best way), but if you are sick of searching for the 'perfect' opening for you, then this approach makes sense, at least in the short-term.

I personally like the Starting Out series. The books generally need to be supplemented with additional material, but I find the format of the books to be especially pleasing to read full of useful information. For example, the Starting Out series will give generally give you 10-15 traps to set or avoid in various variations. I find Starting Out in the Kings Indian to be a terrific example of this series. You probably won't find the newest novelty in the book, but you will learn a ton of useful information that you wouldn't necessarily find in any other single source.

I like the Chess Explained series better though I do own a few of the Starting Out series as well. I usually look at the author and subject first and only then worry about the format. I always try to consult multiple sources when looking at starting to play a certain opening.

Vladimir Drkulec