Basic Opening Book

I'm looking for advice for a one volume opening book.
The type of book I'm looking for is one that will cover the main plans for most openings. My idea will be to use it was I go through games and would look up the basic ideas for that particular opening. Something like Fine's Ideas Behind the Chess Openings is what I'm thinking but something more up to date.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

I have Sam Collins' Understanding Chess Openings and find it very useful. See here: http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Chess-Openings-Sam-Collins/dp/190460028X

One of these books may be what you are looking for:

http://www.chesshouse.com/Better_Opening_Play_p/6529.htm

http://www.chesshouse.com/Improve_Your_Opening_Play_p/6088.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Play-Good-Opening-Moves-Chess/dp/0812934741

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1857441869/everymanche02-20

Originally posted by tapestry
I'm looking for advice for a one volume opening book.
The type of book I'm looking for is one that will cover the main plans for most openings. My idea will be to use it was I go through games and would look up the basic ideas for that particular opening. Something like Fine's Ideas Behind the Chess Openings is what I'm thinking but something more up to date.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

Modern Chess Openings by GM Nick De Firmian. It's the best one I've found.
😏

If you find yourself wanting a piece to be somewhere else in the middlegame, then change your opening to account for this in future games.

I cannot imagine poor opening play would hold anyone back too much.

Originally posted by doodinthemood
If you find yourself wanting a piece to be somewhere else in the middlegame, then change your opening to account for this in future games.

I cannot imagine poor opening play would hold anyone back too much.

That sound you just heard was Dood hitting the nail firmly on the head.

Rec'd.

Thanks for the ideas. The Sam Collins and Chris Ward books look like they are the type I'm looking for.

Originally posted by doodinthemood
If you find yourself wanting a piece to be somewhere else in the middlegame, then change your opening to account for this in future games.

I cannot imagine poor opening play would hold anyone back too much.

You know, that is the most simple yet profound answer I've heard. Thinking of it it that sense is very helpful.

Originally posted by tapestry
Thanks for the ideas. The Sam Collins and Chris Ward books look like they are the type I'm looking for.

Sam Collins wrote the excellent "An Attacking Repertoire for white" which gives very sound and dynamic openings based on 1.e4. It is a main reference of mine when I play 1.e4 and use it quite a bit for Correspondence play. Great balance of ideas and theory.

Originally posted by tapestry
I'm looking for advice for a one volume opening book.
The type of book I'm looking for is one that will cover the main plans for most openings...Something like Fine's Ideas Behind the Chess Openings is what I'm thinking but something more up to date.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

Reuben Fine updated his classic Ideas Behind the Chess Openings to include "modern" openings like the Modern Benoni and the Benko Gambit. A "3rd revised edition" came out in 1989. I don't know to what extent, if any, changes were made to the original material.