Since I haven't played a game of chess (apart from the couple that I've done here) for two years - and then only one or two games - and for maybe another year before that, I've forgotten massive chunks of my strategy. So, would you be able to advise me on what openings I should do, so I can get the game more under my control early on?

Thanks guys!

That's impossible to answer, without knowing your playing style. What do you rather have, a four-pawn center (1.e4/e5/d4/d5/c4/c5) or a double fianchetto (1.Nf3/c4/g3)?

Tactics are more important than openings at your current level, but here are some resources that would be profitable to study even now:

• http://www.exeterchessclub.org.uk/Openings/10openrules.html
• Ward's, "Improve Your Opening Play Now"
• Fine's, "Ideas Behind the Chess Openings"
• Strategy of 'My System' series

Their focus, of course, is on understanding rather than memorization. But do try to play the same 3 or so moves every time so your games take similar paths. :)

Oh, ok! Thanks guys! And yeah, I normally do a pawn opening with the king and queen's pawns. I'll look at those articles right away, likesforests! By the way, since you've got over 1000 points, have you recieved a free Tshirt from the admins? Since they said they'd give them out! :D :P.html" target="_blank">http://www.exeterchessclub.org.uk/Openings/10openrules.html Ward's, "Improve Your Opening Play Now" Fine's, "Ideas Behind the Chess Openings" Strategy of 'My System' series

Their focus, of course, is on understanding rather than memorization. But do try to play the same 3 or so moves every time so your games take similar paths. :)

---

Oops! I quoted you because it wouldn't post normally, but I guess I didn't delete the whole thing... :S

Yes, chess.com did send me a nice t-shirt! But I'm thinking it was more for my platinum membership than for the 1000 member points. ;)

Ah, ok! :D Well, hopefully I'll eventually reach 1k, so then I can nag the staff to give me one! Although I might have to get a print-screen of the post as evidence! :P

MajorIsoor wrote:

Since I haven't played a game of chess (apart from the couple that I've done here) for two years - and then only one or two games - and for maybe another year before that, I've forgotten massive chunks of my strategy. So, would you be able to advise me on what openings I should do, so I can get the game more under my control early on?

Thanks guys!

---

I heartily recommend the Colle-Zukertort for White...especially if you want to spend more time working on your strategy and tactics than your opening theory.

[Disclaimer: I wrote a book on the opening, so of course I like it.]

Ah, ok! I'll check it out!

returning player - i suggest a few days of warming up on tactics problems - then play Krazy Kat and such at blitz [see Bill Wall's blogs here and on his site] - then your own playing style will soon come back to you.

Uh, so is "Krazy Kat" a user here, or just an AI? Since I don't really want to go below 1000 points again! :D But I'll check it out when I get the chance!

It is an opening, and also a defence system!

http://blog.chess.com/billwall/off-the-wall-opening---the-krazy-kat

http://blog.chess.com/view/off-the-wall-opening---black-krazy-kat

likesforests,

I see that you've discovered the exeter chess club archives too! Great stuff - and all in one simple download bundle! [I downloaded it 3 years ago or so.]

Ah, I see! Quite embarrassing mistaking a strategy for a person! :D But thanks for that, I'll keep those in mind for future games!

Trompowsky.

Eh? "Trompowsky"? What on earth do you mean by that? :S

Ward's book is 50% off as eBook this month

 

Oh, and I guess King's Indian Attack gets a few votes?

The Trompowsky is an off-beat opening for White: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5.

normajeanyates> [I downloaded it 3 years ago or so.]

I never thought of downloading it all. Good idea, you never know when a good resource is gonna disappear on you.

Ah, ok then! Hey, so, I'm in the midst of a game, and I think I just screwed up big-time by moving my knight into a poor position, although if my opponent takes it with his bishop, I can take the bishop. Mind you, it's my last knight. (I realized that too late, since I didn't think the move through, enough. :() Hang on, I'll go get the link.

Pending... :P