Classicly

The Blue Book of Chess, teaching the rudiments of the game, and giving an analysis of all the recognized openings is written by Howard Staunton, an English chess master who is generally regarded as having been the world's strongest player from 1843 to 1851, largely as a result of his 1843 victory over Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant.

This work is designed for those who are learning the noble game of Chess. Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the openings: and this has constituted a fault in many otherwise excellent manuals for the learner.