"Back to Basics" Repertoire

Hi all,

So as I mentioned in another thread I'm trying to improve my game over the next year or so.  One aspect of this is that I will go "back to basics" with my openings.  Since I started playing chess I have mostly played the Caro-Kann against 1. e4 and various quiet systems in most lines.  As a result of this I am not comfortable in open/tactical positions.  In a previous thread I mentioned I was looking for openings that matched my current strengths but I believe this was perhaps the wrong approach and I should play more positions that I am uncomfortable with in order to eradicate this weakness in my game.  Therefore I will be limiting my openings to open games, and QGA against d4.

My one question is if I open with 1. e4 what are the best ways to play against the Sicilian, French and Caro-Kann to fit with this "back to basics" approach?

HEY YOO>... JAJAJA

I think what you are asking here is not really possible for someone else to nail down. This term 'back to basics' is very subjective and personal. When I read the title, I thought you meant back to maybe positional basics or something. And even after reading your post I'm not really sure what you mean.

You can only figure this out yourself. Here is a blog post I wrote about how I deal with building my opening rep:

http://www.chess.com/blog/kleelof/my-opening-study

I feel I've done pretty well in developing my small opening rep. studying this way. I also feel I can usually do pretty well when I encounter new openings or variations. 

If back to basics implies playing open games, why not play the exchange versions of the French and Caro-Kann?

What I mean is that many stronger players have said that open games are basically the ABCs of chess.  I have reached an intermediate level without having really gone through this learning phase and I feel it has left weaknesses in my game which are stunting my growth, therefore I am trying to re-educate myself by going back to openings considered suitable for beginners.  Does this make more sense?

Right, I see. So you've been playing openings that usually lead to closed games?

Wikipedia turns out to be handy in such cases. Check it.

I agree that learning how to play e4 e5 is very beneficial to understand general concepts about chess; particularly about initiative and piece activity.

The only reason I don't play e4 on my first move is that black can avoid the open games with annoying things such as the Caro, the French, and the Sicilian (that is not in any way better than the other two, but still something else to prepare against).

I love playing 1...e5 though.

Thanks I hadn't heard of that site before.

I've generally played a bit of everything, but yeah I'd say for the most part I have avoided open/tactical positions since I started playing to my detriment.  That's not to say I'm looking for razor sharp/complex positions, just positions that help to get a grounding in basic tactical ideas.

Scotch, open sicilian (maybe a general English attack approach), CK Panov attack and French exchange with Nf3/c4

They all lead to open positions, where you fight for initiative and you'll improve your ability to play in dynamic positions. A new chess world will open to you

Thanks hicetnunc I had considered some of those already I'll try them out soon!

I'm considering doing something similar to 'round out' my knowledge of different openings/pawn structures etc.  I was thinking a good approach would be to go over old master games, perhaps starting in the Steinitz era, and working forward from there.  For me, the big gap is IQP positions, so I might spend more time going over Tarrasch games.