James Rizzitano’s goal in this book is to provide you with a one-volume, theoretically sound, dynamic opening repertoire beginning with 1 e4.

Studying the choices of the current top players, he identifies these secrets of their success:

• Play openings where you have a relatively safe king.
• Take the bishop-pair in a semi-open position if it is offered to you.
• Avoid creating unnecessary weaknesses in your own position.
• Accept questionable gambits and material sacrifices.
• Absorb any space advantage conceded by the opponent.

His choice of lines to recommend is based on these principles, and supported by detailed work with the current top computer engines. While serious work on chess openings confirms the basic truth that White can’t simply force a large advantage from the start position, we can greatly narrow Black’s path to safety, and tilt the practical struggle in our favour. To have a chance of half a point, our opponents will need to solve difficult tactical and strategic problems deep into the middlegame.

The main lines recommended are:

• Giuoco Piano (via Bishop’s Opening move-order)
• Modern Advance Caro-Kann
• Tarrasch French
• Rossolimo and Moscow Sicilians, and 2...e6 3 c3
• Traditional main lines vs Scandinavian and Alekhine
• Tricky piece-play options against the Pirc and Modern

International Master James Rizzitano dominated New England chess from 1976 to 1989, winning 157 of 336 events in which he competed. His career highlights include victories over Alburt, Benjamin, Benko, Christiansen, Dlugy, I.Gurevich, and Wolff. In more recent years Rizzitano made a return to competitive chess, and has written five books for Gambit, including How to Beat 1 d4 and Play the Najdorf Sicilian.

Download a pdf file with a sample from the book.

Watch a YouTube video in which GM John Nunn presents a sample from this book.

“I had watched Grandmaster John Nunn’s promotional video, so was looking forward to reading Rizzitano’s book. I never got a chance to, because my husband, International Master Doug Root, was always reading it” – WIM Alexey Root, www.sparkchess.com

“Thorough analysis, plentiful diagrams... an effective White repertoire” – IM Doug Root

“Highly recommended for anyone wanting to improve their 1 e4 openings” – Kyrylo Demchenko, Chess Coach

“Aimed primarily at players from 1800 to 2500 who are looking for a manageable but dependable repertoire that has some punch. Rizzitano has done an excellent job focusing on the essentials... very well researched” – IM John Donaldson

“A new repertoire book with a lot of punch and minimal maintenance... the practical value and quality of this repertoire is startling” – Miguel Ararat, FLORIDA CHESS

“Well presented, highly suitable for the middle range (club) player” – James Pratt, YOUTUBE REVIEWS

“An outstanding repertoire book” – John Elburg, chessbooks.nl