Keep it Simple: 1.e4: A Solid and Straightforward Chess Opening Repertoire for White Paperback – December 31, 2018

I am only the third reviewer, I believe, and I would normally wait a bit longer to review: so far I have read one section very carefully (and gone over it with a strong chess engine and ChessBase), and skimmed many other sections to see what lay ahead.But after doing that much, I was so impressed with the author's efforts and explanatory writing style that I felt the book clearly deserves 5 stars. Indeed, I hope other reviewers will join me and get this book's online rating up to where, in my humble opinion, it clearly belongs.Keep in mind that I don't know the author or have any personal involvement in the book's success, but it seems important that an author who writes with such care and skill should be supported.What a great book -- and one that, unlike most chess books that I own, I will likely finish because it is so usefully organized, intelligently thought out, and engagingly presented.I am normally a "c-pawn or d-pawn player" but am always looking to expand my chess understanding, and this book appears to provide a big opportunity to do that. The author simplified the selection of an e-pawn repertoire for those of us who lack a diligent International Master's understanding and experience. But he has not simplified the repertoire to the point of dumbing it down or rendering it too easily met.It seems just right to me: masterable but not routine, and likely to make an opponent think and not react by rote. And the author provides enough genuinely insightful and helpful explanation to enable us to play not merely by rote, as well.Furthermore, I was pleased to see that a number of illustrative, annotated games were provided as well, something many of us appreciate in an opening book.It occurs to me that I may be shooting myself in the foot leaving such a positive review: what if it causes a chess adversary to read and benefit from this excellent book? Oh well, this author deserves whatever appreciation he gets.

I have been playing chess for almost 50 years. I've seen many books that attempt to provide a decent opening repertoire for White with 1.e4, but this is far and away the best. The author avoids the sharpest theoretical lines, where forgetting one move could mean instant defeat, but provides lines that are unbalanced and have plenty of bite nonetheless. I would have guessed that choices like the Four Knights Scotch against 1...e5 or the Exchange Variation against 1...e6 were dull, but in fact, just as the author promises, they lead to unbalanced positions with winning opportunities and surprisingly dynamic play. Everything is clearly explained, with suggestions for expanding the repertoire if you don't like a particular line. I bought the book because I was dissatisfied with my choices against 1...e5 and 1...c5, but the suggestions in this book are so good and so clearly explained that I'm definitely thinking about adopting the lines he suggests against the French, Caro-Kann, and other defenses.

A very thorough repertoire for somebody looking to pick up an e4 opening. I am returning to e4 after 10 years playing c4, and the lines offered in this book are solid, if not spectacular. Suitable for players at about a USCF 1500 level and up. If you use a product to help you learn openings, the formatting of the book is conducive to entering the lines into the trainer.

This book does exactly what it claims it does. The author presents a nice opening repertoire which is easy to learn and maintain. Nicely written, does not overwhelm the reader with variations, shows the ideas.

Baffle your opponents with the Exchange French by angling for a well-timed c2-c4. This ain't your typical drawing line, kids. Was a nice addition to my 1.e4 repertoire when I know I'll be facing French players prepared for my Tarrasch.

Great book for those who love playing chess. This book teaches many strategic moves. My son aces everyone he plays with.

Opening repertoire books have been popular for many years. Some are good; some not. This one, in-between.First - I don't think the repertoire is particularly 'simple.' That said, there are so many unique defenses to 1. e4 simple is, well, not so simple.Second - I am personally not so keen on some of the recommendations. The Rossolimo has never appealed to me and nowadays there is a lot of theory. The idea of tossing the KB away in a KP game just seems anti-thematic. Nor do I think the Exchange against the French is a good choice. I suppose it is simple, but there are a lot of nuances to it. The Two Knights against the C-K and Scotch Game against 1. ...e5 make some sense.If I wanted simple with 1. e4 I'd go with 2. Nc3 for a closed Sicilian and Vienna. It is also a little tricky for Black playing the French. If you REALLY want simple, 1. e4 probably not a good choice. Most QP defenses have lots of similarities, making it easier for White. Then, too, you could just play 1. f4 or 1.b4 and at least control the type of position.If I could, I'd have given this a 3.5 because the games are very well annotated and worthy unto themselves.

Good repitoire. Even a 1500 will be able to extract some knowledge from this book. Probably geared for a bit higher rating though. Used lines from this book in this weekend's tournament and won the tournament 5.5/8. Definitely recommend!