"Matthew" wrote in message ...
I have seen advice around that beginners study the opening to much. So, I
have intentionally put more weight on studying tactics and the endgame. My
rating has gone up to 1500, and I think I am loosing games because of not
knowing the opening.

A friend recommended Nunn's Chess Openings. I purchased it, but it seems to
be a bit monotonous. I don't have any friends my level in chess nearby to
study with. Does anybody have any ideas how to make it more interesting?

Matthew

I've got three recommendations on openings:
1. "The 1000 Best Short Games of Chess", by Irving Chernev will give
you examples of a slew of traps in your favorite opening(s)

2. It's a good idea to understand the concepts behind opening moves.
Robert Bellin has some excellent books which explain ideas behind
various openings, and he gives opening plans. I'm aware of three
books he's written:
a. "Mastering the Modern Benoni and the Benko Gambit",
b. "Mastering the King's Indian Defence", and
c. "Mastering the Spanish".

My final recommendation is
3. "Pawn Structure In Chess", by Andrew Soltis. As the title
indicates, the book addresses the pawn structures of various openings,
and their strategic implications.
- A . McIntire