Everyman has two series of opening books. Their traditional line is devoted to specific topical opening variations and is aimed at a market of players from 2000 on up. More recently they have come out with their “starting out series,” which features fewer games and more explanatory prose. These books are not aimed at beginners, but rather players from 1600-2000, with those 2000-2400 also finding things of interest. The latest in the series is the first book by the Scottish IM John Shaw.

STARTING OUT: THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT introduces the reader to all the main systems in the Queen’s Gambit, including the Accepted, Declined, Tarrasch, Slav, Semi-Slav, Noteboom, Chigorin and various odds and ends. The reader gets an introduction to each line, with an explanation of strategic themes and ideas, followed by model games. All told, there are 73 annotated games featured in this book.

Given his limited space (many of these lines could have entire books written about them), Author Shaw has done a good job of presenting his material. Club players could definitely get by playing some of the lines in this book with just the information presented. The book has more utility for those who want to play 1.d4 as White and could probably serve as a single volume guide for those below master level.

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