Each game offers a classic example of a fundamental problem and its best resolution, described and diagrammed in the clearest possible manner for players of every level of skill.As Irving Chernev observes in the Introduction, "Who will doubt the tremendous power exerted by a Rook posted on the seventh rank after seeing Capablanca's delightfully clear-cut demonstration in Game No. 1 against Tartakower? And who will not learn a great deal about the art of handling Rook and Pawn endings (the most important endings in chess) after playing through Tarrasch's game against Thorold?"Chernev's lively and illuminating notes on each game reveal precisely how Capablanca, Tarrasch, and other masters — Fischer, Alekhine, Lasker, and Petrosian among them — turn theory into practice as they attack and maneuver to control the board. Readers will find their techniques improving with each lesson as Irving Chernev dissects winning strategies, comments on alternate tactics, and marvels at the finesse of winning play, noting at the end of his Introduction: "I might just as well have called this collection The Most Beautiful Games of Chess Ever Played."

    Now it has been enlarged and updated by International Grandchessmaster Larry Evans, and edited by Chessmaster Walter Korn, who maintains continuity with his previous editions of this classic. ...an indispensable part of correspondence play...nothing but praise for the new Modern Chess Openings and the staggering amount of work which has been put into it for the benefit of chess players." -Correspondence Chess "Modern Chess Openings holds its unchallenged place as the most comprehensive and up-to-date opening guide in the English language." - British Chess Magazine.