The opening phase of the game throws up difficult questions for those keen to study and improve their chess. Should I open with 1 d4, 1 e4, or something else? What is the best strategy as Black - immediate counter-attack or solid development? Should I learn numerous different systems or concentrate on a few specialist lines? In Mastering the Opening , international master Byron Jacobs asnwers these and other key questions. * Deals with every major opening * Numerous test positions enables readers to guage their progress * Revolutionary layout allows readers to absorb the key ideas.