For a beginner, the format of this book is excellent, with visuals for everyone. I especially liked the ten-move opening which is quite easy to learn in a short time. Purposes and plans are explained in a way that I could understand as I am learning new response in my game. But the one element that was exciting to me was that I could use and reuse the information. This is NOT a book you will read, digest and file away. The style of writing is geared to my way of learning, which is jumping in and doing, not just reading. Consider this book your roadmap along the way of chess openings. This would be the perfect gift for yourself or anyone wanting to learn chess in a practical way. (my apologies for a late review; for some reason, it did not get printed the first time around.) ( )