MNb wrote on 02/12/10 at 21:01:24:


Thanks MNb .

One possible criticism (among probably many ) of Schiller's book is the lack of 'theory' as such. Like I say, it can be read withoug a board/set since there are many diagrams and few variations to follow. The Sicilian is dealt with in a couple of large-print pages, and aside from a couple of lines on d5 and Nf6, you're advised simply to follow up with d4 and the position plays itself (I paraphrase ).

Interesting rep suggestions. My previous rep, such as it was, stemmed from Griffiths Improving Your Chess, a lovely little British book. It was Vienna Gambit, Open Sicilian, French Nd2, Nc3 Caro, etc.  1... e5, with the Open Lopez, 1...d5 with Laskers. I had a pretty good record with the Vienna, but ran into trouble against higher-rated players, including one horrific loss in the aforementioned Bc5, d4 Bb4 line. 

I guess I'll probably mix and match some systems - there's no law saying you have to use everything from one book just cos it's there . Especially, I'm really not sure I believe Schiller's Bxf7+ baby. I like the idea of the Danish and others. Had a not bad record with the Open Lopez, including the better of a draw against a 2100+.

I appreciate the replies folks. Cheers

Southpaw wrote on 02/12/10 at 17:47:08:


I think Schiller's choice too heavy theory-laden, if you want to save time.
Begin with the Danish/Göring Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 dxc3 (d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.cxd4 Nc6 6.Be3) 4.Nxc3. It is even less work than reaching the Italian via 2.Bc4.
Against the Sicilian you can't do any better than the Open Sicilian. Play 6.Be2 or 6.g3 (Davies' Taming the Sicilian) against almost everything (7.Nd5 against the Sveshnikov) and you are well on your way. This is not more work than the 2.c3 Sicilian. You will find 10 000's of games with it in any good database.
Exchange Variation 4.c4 against the French, Exchange Variation 4.Bd3 against the C-K, 4.Be3/5.Qd2/6.0-0-0/7.f3 vs. the Pirc/Modern and the Chase Variation (4.c5) against the Alekhine will suffice for the time being.

As Black the Tarrasch plus 1...e5 and alas I am not sure what exactly to recommend against the Ruy Lopez.

All in all it is my impression that Schiller recommends some shortcuts from the 80's, with theory that has expanded enormously since then. Those Bxf7+ tricks are cheapo's.

Markovich wrote on 02/12/10 at 13:46:42:


This was certainly one of the lines I thought a tad dubious, to say the least.

But Fritz has 73 games with 1 e4 Nf6, 2 Bc4 with the results W23  B36  D14. In games where both player's ratings are given, many of White's losses were against players some 200 points higher. There are several wins for White against players 200 points higher! There seems no great rating difference in the rest of White wins. 

Playable? At lower levels at least?

Cutting to the chase, I do have the book, I just wondered how it was received. I'm aware of Schiller's mixed reputation, but I know that at least some of his books have been well rated, I just didn't know which category this one fell into, and I don't consider myself strong enough to pass a judgement.

I was a fairly experienced though not very good player at one time (peaking at 1780, falling back to around 1500 when I last played competitively). But I always felt something of a fraud - that I had never really learned to play chess 'properly' and with large gaps in my learning. 

I've resolved (at 48!?) to re-learn chess from scratch, doing it right this time, but at my age I don't particularly want to embark on a 100 book marathon, especially since I'm only aiming to reach a 'reasonable' standard, and this time hopefully understanding the game a bit better. 

To this end, I'm planning on going through Alburt's 7 book (8 now?) Comprehensive Course, alongside his Chess Openings Explained. I just wanted a 'basic' repertoire to play in the meantime, without getting into too much trouble. So far as the openings I used to play, I'm not convinced I ever knew them that well anyway. And I don't want to go down the 'closed' and 'system' openings route (KIA, Colle etc.) which I think would be detrimental on a 'learning' course - open games are the way to go! To give Schiller his due, he also advocates that you can use this rep up to around 1400 standard, after which you should be looking to expand. Like I say, the book is very readable - I did it in a few days without using a board/set. 

As for some of the 'gaps' I was talking about, book 1 of the Comp Course introduces the concept of visualising/memorising the empty board - something I'd never heard of before. I can see the point of the idea, but the practice is proving alien and difficult. But in internet blitz games I'm making ridiculous blunders (I know - stop playing blitz! I will).

I'd be interested in folks thoughts on this?!

Schiller advocates the Bishop's to avoid lines after e4 e5, Nf3 e.g  2...f5, 2...d5 etc. His aim obviously is to keep beginners 'theory' down to a minimum. 

Briefly, the rep is

Bishops e4 e5, 2 Bc4 Nf6 3 Nf3 - also transposing to Italian, Fried Liver etc.
Sicilian c3
Advance French, Caro
Alekhine e4 Nf6, 2 Bc4(!?) Nxe4, 3 Bxf7+
Uses the same 'trick' vs lines in Pirc, Nimzo.

As Black e4 e5, with the Cozio vs Lopez, e4 e5, 2 f4 d5, 3 exd5 exf4(!?)
Tarrasch v QP/Closed games - with just a few pages devoted to it, though in fairness plenty of stronger players stick to a Tartakover 'system' v QP also.

Oh, I agree completely that Shiller's choice makes sense.  I also understand the Four Knights (Knights before Bishops and all that).  As I said, my preference would have been for the Italian game though.  Historically, it was one of the first modern openings and it has been played in top-flight chess in the last year.  

More importantly, the Italian game allows the student to learn about cool gambits (The Evans, for instance) and development.  Yeah, the Urusov and the 4N also have cool gambits and good development. 

The main reason I don't teach the Bishop's Opening is that it feels trappy.  I don't like teaching trappy openings except how to play against them.  I prefer the Piano.

amazon has this promotional blurb:

Quote:


Widely?  Where?

Apparently, he recommends 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4.  He probably copied Polgar's Chess Life articles to get a repertoire.  It's not the worst thing in the world, but I would rather see an Italian game for a new player.

Any views on this book?

http://www.amazon.com/First-Chess-Openings-Eric-Schiller/dp/1580421520/ref=sr_1_...

http://www.ericschiller.com/pdf/FCO%20excerpt.pdf

It looks a reasonable and very readable stab at a 'first' openings book to get you by while you learn 'more important' aspects of chess. All openings are possible at amateur level it seems, but will Schiller's repertoire get you a playable game without getting murdered early on?