Feedback has been very positive about doing more large thematic tournaments like the currently ongoing Caro-Kann Open. I'm starting to lay plans for the next one, and am now soliciting comments on what it should be like.

What I'm currently thinking is a 100-player tournament starting with around 5 players per group in the first round, each playing each in two games (black and white), with the top two (after tiebreaks) advancing to the next round.

For opening themes, the ones I'm inclined to go with are:

• Goring Gambit - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3
• Smith-Morra Gambit - 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
• Tarrasch Defense - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5

I'm open to other suggestions, too. At this point I'm not that interested in running anything too off-beat (no Grobs or Borgs, please!), but I can be flexible. So what do people think?

 

Why don'y you also do an indian opening?

- King's Indian

- Nimzo Indian

- Queen's Indian

- Bogo Indian 

 

Goring and Smith-Morra sounds interesting

my personal choice would be any of the following:

1.e4

• standard ruy - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
• sicilian - 1.e4 c5
• pirc - 1.e4 d6
• alekhine - 1.e4 Nf6

 

1.d4

• indian systems - 1.d4 Nf6 [2.c4] 
• slav - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
• QGA - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4

 

1.c4

• symmetrical - 1.c4 c5
• reverse-sicilian - 1.c4 e5
  

These are not only playable but very solid openings that are often used by grandmasters as well. I consider the Goring and SM gambit a bit too specific, if someone's in love with either of these, then (s)he can also play it from a simpler scotch/sicilian starting setup.

if u start it count me in!

Gorash, of all the openings you list, the Slav is the one I'm most likely to go with, although I could be talked into the Alekhine, too. I still like the idea of doing a gambit tournament for those who want to learn how to play (or bust!) the Goring or Smith-Morra.

And thanks for the enthusiasm, rf! I'm involved in a number of tournaments right now, but after I'm done with one or two of them, I'll be launching my next 100 person thematic. At this point, my top candidates are:

1. Slav Defense
   
2. Goring Goring Gambit
3. Smith-Morra Gambit

How about a simple King's Gambit? ;)

 

I do not agree with Fischer:

"The refutation of any gambit begins with accepting it. In my
opinion the King's Gambit is busted. It loses by force.

1 P-K4 P-K4 2 P-KB4 PxP 3 N-KB3 P-Q3!"

 

KG is always fun :)

In case someone hasn't read the King's Gambit Bust by Fischer I share the last sentence of this classic:

 

"Of course White can always play differently, in which case he merely loses differently." 

I vote for the Smith Morra Gambit.

Benoni!!! or kings indian

I will play anything, I love the concept. Just keep em coming, in time we will play em all!

I would love to play an English tournament.  either 1. . .c5, or 1. . .e5 works for me.

Okay, after listening to feedback, both in the forums and through private messages, I've decided on my next theme: The Slav (1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6)!

 Tournament set to kick off Easter Monday night. Sign up now.

 

gorash wrote:

In case someone hasn't read the King's Gambit Bust by Fischer I share the last sentence of this classic:

 

"Of course White can always play differently, in which case he merely loses differently." 

---

 I Just gave it a read and can difinitively say i will never again play the kings gambit =P