^ Click here to remove ads! ^

couple of questions?

Jump to forum:
 
17th June 2008, 09:54am
#1
by young_roy123
Germany
Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 179

what are some other stong solid openings that are positonal for white. i've been going the queens indian for the past couple of days. but i need some more any ideas.

 

next, when im playing as black and white puts his queen side bishop in the corner (what i mean is his first move is b3 then bishop to b2) im having trouble defending against that. and some players don't push there pawns up to the middle so i need some help on that. what openings are solid for facing that. thanks

-that boy young roy


17th June 2008, 10:05am
#2
by Grayhound
Johannesburg South Africa
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 81

A good opening for white is the English Opening.   (c4.Nc3.)

When defending against the fianchettoed bishop, I would reccomend trying to trade bishops.  This generally leaves his pawn structure weakend and should allow you to win positionally.


17th June 2008, 10:23am
#3
by likesforests
United States
Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 2981

young_roy123> what are some ... solid openings that are positonal for white.

Grayhound> A good opening for white is the English Opening.   (c4.Nc3.)

Well, some lines of the English are positional (1.c4 c5), but other lines are very tactical (1.c4 e5). It's an opening for players who are flexible.

If you want to force the game towards solid, positional waters (and don't mind ceding equality to Black, which is probably a necessary compromise to avoid tactics) then one of the openings featuring d4 & Nf3 is maybe your best bet, such as the Colle System.


17th June 2008, 10:26am
#4
by young_roy123
Germany
Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 179
what other lines are there to the english opening and does the colle system win most of the time?
17th June 2008, 10:33am
#5
by likesforests
United States
Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 2981

young_roy123> when im playing as black and white puts his queen side bishop in the corner (what i mean is his first move is b3 then bishop to b2) im having trouble defending

What do you do if your opponent wants to control the central dark squares but takes awhile getting around to it? I would seize them first. 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.d3 d6, etc.


17th June 2008, 10:39am
#6
by likesforests
United States
Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 2981

young_roy123> what other lines are there to the english opening and does the colle system win most of the time?

Well, 1.c4 e5 (King's English) and 1.c4 c5 (Symmetric English) are the mainlines but there's also most of the usual d4 possibilities (QGD, Gruenfeld, Dutch, KID, Hedgehog, Semi-Slav), etc. White can often avoid a couple of the d4 options.

young_roy123> does the colle system win most of the time?

I guess one of it's charms is you don't lose so often. If you want more winning chances you have to take more risks and accept some sharp (tactical) positions.
17th June 2008, 11:20am
#7
by CarlMI
White Post, VA United States
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 254

Openings don't win, players do.  At the club level all openings tend to be equally valid, its just a matter of what you are familiar with, comfortable playing and time available to study.  Ask yourself a couple questions:  Are you playing to win or are you playing not to lose?  These are not the same thing and they will shape your opening choices.  Second:  In what arena will I be playing: Turnbased/Correspondence or OvertheBoard (OTB) and online blitz?  Third:  How much time do I have and how much of that do I want to give to openings?  Fourth:  What is my skill level and experiance?

"Positional" openings are harder to play correctly but at the club level tend towards a draw.  Remember that when making a selection. 

 


17th June 2008, 12:03pm
#8
by transpositions
United States
Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 127

young_roy123,

 

Strong, solid openings.  I can see by all of the previous posts,that they are all over the map.  Play the English, no, the Colle System. Do this, that, no, do this other thing.  

If you really want to learn how to play  strong solid openings read what follows very closely.

About 100 years ago there was a group of young GMs that came up with some ideas for a new chess opening theory.  That new chess opening theory came to be known as HYPERMODERN CHESS THEORY.  The two most important founders of this new theory were named Aaron Nimzowitsch and Richard Reti.  There were two important ideas to this new opening theory.  

The first idea, FIELDS OF FORCE, was to control the center without occupying the center.  In other words, control the center with the power of the piece, but not occupy the center physically with the piece.  If you could do that you could control the center and not give your opponent targets in the center.  If this sounds alot like what your opponents, moving(b3, Bb2) and not moving their pawns into the center are doing, it is because that is exactly what they are doing.  They are employing Hypermodern Chess Theory against you. 

The second important idea, COLORS REVERSED OPENING, along with the details of the first idea are spelled out in a book that I recommend you read:

MY SYSTEM, by Aaron Nimzowitsch

Good Luck, I hope this helps. 

  


17th June 2008, 12:37pm
#9
by likesforests
United States
Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 2981

transpositions> I can see by all of the previous posts,that they are all over the map.  Play the English, no, the Colle System. Do this, that, no, do this other thing.  

All of the comments up to yours have been consistent and focused on the original poster's question. You simplified the discussion to absurdity.

To summarize, Greyhound pointed out that the English is often positional and gave some tips on playing it. I agreed, but pointed out that one of the two mainlines (1...e5) can be very tactical. I suggested that if he wanted to be more certain the opening would remain positional there are d4/Nf3 openings like the Colle System--but draws are more likely in such lines. CarlMI reinforced that last point and also explained that to make the best opening choices he needs to ask himself some questions, such as whether he's content to win or draw, and at what time controls he'll be playing.


17th June 2008, 01:55pm
#10
by transpositions
United States
Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 127

    

         You know so much.  May be we should play a couple of games face to face over a chess board.  No telling what I might learn.


17th June 2008, 02:35pm
#11
by transpositions
United States
Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 127

 

   Maybe keeping an open mind about what is under discussion would be alot more productive.  Personal assaults are only an indication of insecurity of some type.  You should try reading My System, you might learn something.  There is a revised version that was published not too long ago.


17th June 2008, 02:40pm
#12
by NM Reb
Lisbon Portugal
Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 1595
You boys take it outside! I dont want y'all wrecking the joint.  Smile
17th June 2008, 03:10pm
#13
by KillaBeez
Denver, CO United States
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 1215
I would probably play a Catalan or the Queen's Gambit if I wanted something solid.
17th June 2008, 03:17pm
#14
by transpositions
United States
Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 127

 

 What I didn't write in my original post is that the advice he was getting was all fine, but not for a player at his stage of development. 

   Based upon what young_roy123 wrote in his original post it is obvious he has no idea how to deal with acelerated fianchetto openings, and hypermodern play in general.  That is a clear indication that he has no foundation in basic opening theory.  When a player at his stage of development, is bombarded by opening repertoire recommendations, applies those recomendations he is building a house over a sink hole.  Everybody knows that to build a house, first you have to pour the foundation.

Anyway I hope he can see we all care and want to help a fellow chess player  


18th June 2008, 08:37am
#15
by young_roy123
Germany
Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 179
thanks all that help and transpostion and silent film star want to play a game with me it can be unrated or rated it doesnt matter you two seem like a good challenge to me. also i like that hypermodern opening theory imma look into that
 

Add your comment:

Join Chess.com for free to add your comment! Already a member? Then login now to comment.