What it teaches
Modern Chess Openings, known everywhere as MCO, has been the standard one-volume opening reference in English since its first edition in 1911. The 15th edition, edited by grandmaster Nick de Firmian, covers every major opening in compact columns of main lines and important sidelines, with brief notes and assessments of the resulting positions.
It is a reference, not a teaching book. Its value lies in breadth: in one volume you can look up the main line of almost any opening and see where it leads.
Who it's for
Tournament players and coaches, roughly 1700 and up, who want a quick reference for the main lines. Improving players will learn more from explanatory books first, and anyone preparing seriously will also want engines and databases, since opening theory moves fast.
How to get the most from it
Use it to check the main lines of openings you face, then study those lines in depth with explanatory books, engines and model games. Our openings library is a good place to find videos on each.
Key takeaways
- A one-volume reference shows the main lines of every major opening at a glance.
- Assessments of the resulting positions help you choose what to play.
- Opening theory evolves quickly, so check critical lines with modern tools.
- References work best alongside books that explain the ideas.
Read next
For explanations of the ideas behind the moves, pair it with Fundamental Chess Openings or Mastering the Chess Openings.
