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Take the initiative as Black


  • 2 years ago · Quote · #1

    jukuqs

    Hi again!

    Honestly, I'm a white player, I like to have the initiative, as black I'm lost, in my last topic I asked for sharp, combinational (does this word exist?) and tactic openings as white, now I do as black, how can I get the initiative versus the most common white openings? For the record, I like gambits very much, and I'm a tactical player. Can you suggest me any gambits for black?

    I've read about Steintz Defence, Latvian Gambit and some more, but Wikipedia refered to the others as: "dubious chess openings", "is considered weak", "is rarely played at top-level"... (although the last one doesn't bother me)

    Thanks in advice, I've been here for four days and I've impoved a lot!

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #2

    westcoastchess

    its a little outdated, but "Counter Gambits:black to play and win" its packed with tons of ideas of how to take the initiative with black.

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #3

    jukuqs

    Thanks westcoastchess!

    I'll try to get it, but finding chess books arround my town is an arduous task. Yesterday I went to a shopping center and in the little and hidden chess section I could only find initiation books. Only looking very hard I could find Karpov's "Chess: Learn and Progress", and It's a very good book, altough it was not what I was looking for. Maybe online...

    Thanks anyway!

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #4

    RainbowRising

    I think of it as a scale ( like -1, 0 , 1 ) where at the start if you are white you start on 1/2, you have the first move, but no initiative just yet. As black, you start on -1/2. To gain the initiative, first you must equalise ( 0 ) and only then can you try to gain initiative (1). In short, there is no opening that instantly gives black the initiative, but you can try to make it as complicated as possible for white using vs e4 the sicillian and vs d4 the dutch.

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #5

    Archerknight

    I have a book called BLACK IS STILL OK!

    Ill have a look and post it.

    Against 1.d4 you could try:

    Now, a game!
    And another!
    Hope this helped.
  • 2 years ago · Quote · #6

    westcoastchess

    very true harry, theres so many fun lines that theres still a lot of nice ideas, and many which arnt considered anywhere else so theres no building theory.

    the only book I have which talks about Froms gambit so that alone is worth it for me

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #7

    Archerknight

    I play the Froms gambit. :)

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #8

    Tricklev

    So what you basicly want is a sharp, combative and fighting repertoire as black?

    How about The Sicillian and Kings indian defence?

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #9

    rich

    Englund gambit complex.

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #10

    jukuqs

    Thanks, I'll try all the suggested openings, I find interesting RainbowRising's initiative theory, and I agree what I want is the whole point as soon al possible.

    Thanks to everyone!

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #11

    jukuqs

    Oops, some posted while I was writing.

    @Tricklev
    Yap, thats what I'm looking for. I'll try them both! Thanks!

    @rich
    I liked that when I searched for black gambits but Wikipedia said that: "The gambit is considered weak, and thus is almost never seen in top-level play. The gambit is occasionally seen in amateur games." and that made me retreat. Thanks to you I'll try it!

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #12

    eaglex

    benko and marshall are probably most sound gambits you can play for black

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #13

    Sceadungen

    The best try for the Initiative as Black v d4 is the Benko Gambit, it is a pig of a thing to play against.

    Against e4 The Sicilian is a pain in the neck

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #14

    Vynas

    @rich
    I liked that when I searched for black gambits but Wikipedia said that: "The gambit is considered weak, and thus is almost never seen in top-level play. The gambit is occasionally seen in amateur games." and that made me retreat. Thanks to you I'll try it!


    If u don't frequently play opponents of top lvl strength I think it's not this important.

    And if by some luck tomorrow a GM revives it everybody starts playing it.

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #15

    rich

    jukuqs wrote:

    Oops, some posted while I was writing.

    @Tricklev
    Yap, thats what I'm looking for. I'll try them both! Thanks!

    @rich
    I liked that when I searched for black gambits but Wikipedia said that: "The gambit is considered weak, and thus is almost never seen in top-level play. The gambit is occasionally seen in amateur games." and that made me retreat. Thanks to you I'll try it!


     Yes I know it says it's weak when it's actually pretty strong. I am playing a games now where I use it.

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #16

    Tricklev

    There really is no reason to retreat to unsound gambits and cheapotraps in the opening to take the initiative, there are openings/defence that fights a combative game without that. And usually, these openings are full of ideas, which will greatly improve your positionall understanding of the game aswell. Something the "If he falls for this I win his queen in 3"-cheapos doesn't.

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #17

    jukuqs

    Thanks alot! I'll try them despite of what wikipedia says :P

    Tricklev wrote:

    "If he falls for this I win his queen in 3"-cheapos doesn't.

    That was not my idea, I don't want a trick, but a decent gambit that leads to a fast and tactical game. As white I play a plenty of them and  I enjoy a lot. Aren't there gambits for black like the Smith Morra, Danish, Göring, Evans...?

    I'm gonna try them anyways, I won't feel good if I discard an opening without even try it. Also I'm gona try the Sicilian, Dragon Variation and KID, as you pointed.

    Thanks!

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #18

    Archerknight

    You gonna try the Nimzo Indian gambit?

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #19

    Scarblac

    Of course, it's just Wikipedia. If it makes you feel better, perhaps one of us can edit it to say "but it appears to be underestimated" or something...

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #20

    jukuqs

    Scarblac wrote:

    Of course, it's just Wikipedia. If it makes you feel better, perhaps one of us can edit it to say "but it appears to be underestimated" or something...


    How sarcastic ¬¬
    Although you're right.

    Harry_Li wrote:

    You gonna try the Nimzo Indian gambit?


    Indeed, it's already in my opening list, I'm going to learn its variations and practice it. I liked it a lot.

    Thanks for the feedback!


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