Study Plan For Advanced Players: The Opening!

Target Skill Range: Advanced (Rated 1800-1999)

Acquire the knowledge you need to approach the opening with confidence and achieve success!

Tasks:

1. Expand your Knowledge of Common Structures and Plans
2. Learn About Creating an Opening Repertoire
3. Start a Black Repertoire versus 1.e4
4. Start a Black Repertoire versus 1.d4
5. Start a White Repertoire with 1.e4 or 1.d4
6. Test your Opening Understanding
7. Gain Practical Experience with your Openings
8. Analyze Your Games

Advanced players should begin to see the strategic link between the opening and middlegame and learn how top players always choose their openings. You should intend to reach a specific "type" of middlegame.

Advanced players should also begin to take a systematic approach to learning openings, choosing and studying the different variations possible in their chosen opening. 

 1. Expand your Knowledge of Common Structures and Plans

As was introduced in the Intermediate Study Plan in task four, opening understanding is not just "memorizing lines" but having knowledge of typical middlegame motifs, both strategic and tactical. 

Read the following articles and notice the authors' focus on the common plans and thematic ideas in each opening:

• Do You Need To Study Junk Openings? by GM Gregory Serper
• Monster Opening Preparation by IM Jeremy Silman
• Monster Opening Preparation Part 2 by IM Jeremy Silman
• Kostya's Blueprint: Learning Structures Part 1 by FM Kostya Kavutskiy
• Kostya's Blueprint: Learning Structures Part 2 by FM Kostya Kavutskiy
• Can You Still Specialize In An Opening? by GM Bryan Smith
• An Opening Line for Club Players by GM Gregory Serper
• An Opening Line for Masters by GM Gregory Serper

Next, watch IM Danny Rensch's comprehensive series on the most important themes in the following structures. If you watched any of these videos as part of the Intermediate Strategy Plan, feel free to skip them here

• Pawn Structure 101: Orthodox/Minority Attack
• Pawn Structure 101: Panov-Botvinnik
• Pawn Structure 101: The Stonewall
• Pawn Structure 101: Caro-Slav 1
• Pawn Structure 101: Caro-Slav 2
• Pawn Structure 101: Caro-Slav 3
• Pawn Structure 101: Caro-Slav 4
• Pawn Structure 101: Caro-Slav 5
• Pawn Structure 101: Caro-Slav 6
• Pawn Structure 101: Caro-Slav 7

2. Learn About Creating An Opening Repertoire

In the Intermediate Study Plan task two, you were introduced to the idea of consistency, meaning choosing between 1.e4 or 1.d4 and sticking to it in all of your games. Now it is time for you to learn about developing a fully fledged opening repertoire, where you have your base openings down and know how you're going to respond to all of your opponent's possible opening choices.

Watch:

• Creating an Opening Repertoire by GM Sam Shankland
• Creating an Opening Repertoire 2 by GM Sam Shankland
• How to Develop an Opening Repertoire by GM Gregory Kaidanov
• Openings Lessonsby many authors

Read:

• Picking the Correct Opening Repertoire by GM Simon Williams

3. Start a Black Repertoire versus 1.e4

Now that you've learned about creating an opening repertoire, it's time to start developing one that suits your own style/taste as a chess player. Against 1.e4, there are a number of good main-line defenses to respond with. It is now up to you to pick one and utilize it consistently in your practice.

Watch one of the following series:

The French Defense by WGM Tatev Abrahamyan

• Completely French: The Winawer Part 1
• Completely French: The Winawer Part 2
• Completely French: The Winawer Part 3
• Completely French: The Winawer Part 4
• Completely French: The Winawer Part 5
• Completely French: The Winawer Part 6
• Completely French: Tarrasch Variation Part 1
• Completely French: Tarrasch Varation Part 2
• Completely French: Advance Variation
• Completely French: Exchange Variation Part 1
• Completely French: Exchange Variation Part 2
• Completely French: Sidelines

The Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation by GM Sam Shankland

• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.Bc4 Part 1
• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.Bc4 Part 2
• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.Be3 Part 1
• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.Be3 Part 2
• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.f4
• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.Bg5 Part 1
• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.Bg5 Part 2
• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.Be2
• Shankland Teaches the Najdorf: 6.h3

The Caro-Kann Defense by GM Sam Shankland

• The Complete Caro: Sidelines
• The Complete Caro: Fantasy Variation
• The Complete Caro: Panov Attack
• The Complete Caro: Classical Main Line
• The Complete Caro: Advanced Variation Part 1
• The Complete Caro: Advanced Variation Part 2
• The Complete Caro: Laznicka Beats Hou!
• The Complete Caro: What Not to Do
• The Complete Caro: Rizantsev Dominates!

4. Start a black repertoire versus 1.d4.

You'll also need a main line defense against 1.d4. Here we'd suggest choosing between the King's Indian Defense and the Nimzo-Indian Defense.

Watch one of the following sets of videos:

The King's Indian Defense by GM Rashad Babaev and GM Eugene Perelshteyn

First, watch Babaev's coverage of the main strategic and tactical elements in the different variations of the King's Indian Defense.

• Is the King's Indian Right For You?
• Choosing an Opening: King's Indian Games
• The King's Indian: Beating the Exchange
• The King's Indian: Prevailing in the Petrosian
• The King's Indian: Winning the Mar Del Plata Race
• The King's Indian: Smashing the Sämisch
• The King's Indian: Defeating the Yugoslav
• The King's Indian: Attacking the Averbach

Next, learn the critical opening theory move-by-move from GM Eugene Perelshteyn, who also focuses his coverage around the thematic ideas and plans of this opening:

• Attacking Pawn Chains: The King's Indian Defense
• The King's Indian Defense: Beating the Fianchetto System Part 1
• The King's Indian Defense: Beating the Fianchetto System Part 2
• The King's Indian Defense: Beating the Fianchetto System Part 3
• The King's Indian Defense: Beating the Sämisch Part 1
• The King's Indian Defense: Beating the Sämisch Part 2
• The King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack Part 1
• The King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack Part 2
• The King's Indian Defense: 6. Na6 Variation Part 1
• The King's Indian Defense: 6. Na6 Variation Part 2
• The King's Indian Defense: 6. Na6 Variation Part 3

The Nimzo-Indian Defense by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili

• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: g3 & Sidelines
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: 5.Ne2, Rubinstein Variation
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: 4.Bg5, Leningrad Variation
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: 4.a3, Sämisch Variation
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: 4.f3, Modern Lines
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3, Huebner Variation
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3, Huebner Alternatives
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: 4.e3 Continued
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: 4.Qc2
• The Complete Nimzo-Indian: Random Summary

Next, check out this in-depth coverage of the Classical Variation (4.Qc2) by IM Mark Ginsburg:

• The Classical Nimzo for Black: 5.a3
• The Classical Nimzo for Black: 5.Nf3
• The Classical Nimzo for Black: 5.e4

And, since the Nimzo-Indian occurs after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4, you'll need a second option in case White plays 3.Nf3 or 3.g3. First, watch GM Dzindzichashvili's coverage of the Bogo-Indian Defense:

• The Bogo-Indian: Overview & 4.Bd2
• The Bogo-Indian: 4.Bd2 Continued
• The Bogo-Indian: 4.Nbd2

Plus, as a second option, learn about the Blumenfeld Gambit from GM Mackenzie Molner:

• The Blumenfeld Gambit: An Attacker's Guide
• The Blumenfeld Gambit: Amazing Example Game
• The Blumenfeld Gambit: Declining the Beast

You should now have a solid option with Black against both 1.e4 and 1.d4!

5. Start a White Repertoire with 1.e4 or 1.d4

Now that you've got your black repertoire laid out, it's time to focus on your white repertoire. As White, we'd recommend you stick to either 1.e4 or 1.d4 as your main choice. You can learn the Reti (1.Nf3) or English (1.c4) later on, but it is better to start with a foundation of 1.e4/d4 before switching to a different opening choice with White.

Choose between one of the following repertoires:

1.e4 Repertoire

After 1.e4, you'll need to learn at least one variation to play against each of Black's major defenses, including the Double King Pawn, Sicilian, French, and Caro-Kann. You'll also need a weapon to face Black's secondary options: the Scandinavian, Pirc, and Alekhine's defenses. For each opening, we've provided a number of different videos/articles covering different options. Choose the one that you feel best suits your own style.

Double King Pawn: Here we'd recommend you learn all about the tried and true classic, the Ruy Lopez!

Watch:

• Getting Started with the Ruy Lopez 1 by GM Sam Shankland
• Getting Started with the Ruy Lopez 2
• Getting Started with the Ruy Lopez 3 (if you watched these videos while going through the Intermediate Study Plan, you can skip them)
• Getting Started with the Ruy Lopez 4
• Ruy Lopez: Karpov vs. Ulf Andersson by GM Melik Khachiyan
• Restriction in the Ruy Lopez
• Key Ruy Lopez Lessons: Boleslavsky vs. Kotov by GM Dejan Bojkov
• Key Ruy Lopez Lessons: Boleslavsky vs. Panov
• 1.e4 -- Don't Be Embarrassed by GM Alex Yermolinsky
• How to Improve Your Strategy: Fabiano Caruana by FM Kostya Kavutskiy

You should also learn about Black's other options after 1.e4 e5, the Philidor and Petroff defenses:

• Beating your Nemesis: Punishing the Philidor by GM Melik Khachiyan
• Play Against the Petroff 1 by IM David Pruess
• Play Against the Petroff 2

Read:

• The Ruy Lopez by GM Magesh Panchanathan and GM Arun Prasad
• The Ruy Lopez Anti-Marshall
• "Don't Even Think of That"
• Making a Plus in the Petroff by GM Bryan Smith

Sicilian Defense

Against the Sicilian, White's most ambitious choice is the Open Sicilian. Or, for a simpler option, check out the Alapin Variation (2.c3) below:

Open Sicilian: Watch:

• Pawn Structure 101: Intro to the English & Yugoslav Attacking Formations by IM Daniel Rensch
• How the English Attacks: Introduction & Overview by WGM Tatev Abrahamyan 
• How the English Attacks: Early Nbd7
• How the English Attacks: 10...Qc7 & 10...a5
• How the English Attacks: Najdorf
• How the English Attacks: Early h5
• Back to the Sicilian Scheveningen: vs. IM Ginsburg by GM Melik Khachiyan
• Beating the Dragon 1: Yugoslav Attack w/ 9.0-0-0 by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili
• Beating the Dragon 2: Yugoslav Attack Part 2

Read:

• Attack and Defense in the Dragon by GM Bryan Smith
• The Maroczy Bind by GM Magesh Panchanathan and GM Arun Prasad
• The Paulsen Sicilian: A History by GM Bryan Smith
• The Paulsen Sicilian: A History Part 2

Or, for the Alapin Variation (aka 2.c3 Sicilian), watch:

• The Anti-Sicilians: Alapin Part 1 by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili
• The Anti-Sicilians: Alapin Part 2
• A Guide for White: Avoiding the Sicilian - Alapin Part 1 by GM Gregory Kaidanov
• A Guide for White: Avoiding the Sicilian - Alapin Part 2
• A Guide for White: Avoiding the Sicilian - Alapin Part 3

 Read:

• From Opening to Endgame: The c3-Sicilian by GM Bryan Smith

French Defense 

Watch:

• Melik Suggests: Handling the French Part 1 by GM Melik Khachiyan
• Melik Suggests: Handling the French Part 2
• Melik Suggests: Handling the French Part 3
• Melik Suggests: Handling the French Part 4

Read:

• Theoretical Opening Or Endgame? by WIM Iryna Zenyuk 
• The French Endgame by GM Bryan Smith
• Classical Games Everybody Should Know, Part 11 by GM Gregory Serper
• The French Early Be7 by GM Magesh Panchanathan and GM Arun Prasad
• Reader Questions: French Defense And A 2000 Rating Goal by IM Jeremy Silman

Caro-Kann Defense

Watch:

• Kaidanov's Comprehensive Repertoire: Combating the Caro by GM Gregory Kaidanov
• Kaidanov's Comprehensive Repertoire: Combating the Caro Part 2

Read:

• Battling the Caro-Kann: A History by GM Bryan Smith
• More Ways to Battle the Caro-Kann
• The Caro-Kann: Modern Times

Secondary Options: The Scandinavian, Pirc, Alekhine, and Modern Defenses:

Watch:

• Kaidanov's Comprehensive Repertoire: Alekhine and Scandinavian by GM Gregory Kaidanov
• How to Beat the Scandinavians at their Own Game by WGM Tatev Abrahamyan
• The Pirc Defense Part 1: Roman's System For White by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili 
• The Pirc Defense Part 2: Take Away Counterplay
• How To Destroy The Hippo -- by GM Dzindzichashvili
• Ginger GM Cooks Spicy Attacks: Part 4 by GM Simon Williams

Read:

• The Scandinavian Defense: A History Part 1 by GM Bryan Smith 
• The Scandinavian Defense: A History Part 2
• The Modern Defense: A History
• Lighting the Pirc Defense on Fire
• The Alekhine Defense by GM Magesh Panchanathan and GM Arun Prasad

1.d4 Repertoire

If you choose 1.d4 you'll need to learn one line against each major response to 1.d4. This includes the Queen's Gambit Declined, Queen's Gambit Accepted, Slav, Semi-Slav, Nimzo-Indian, King's Indian, Grunfeld, and Benoni defenses, as well as Black's secondary options.

Queen's Gambit

Watch:

• How To Play The Queen's Gambit 1 by GM Sam Shankland
• How To Play The Queen's Gambit 2
• How To Play The Queen's Gambit 3
• How To Play The Queen's Gambit 4

Read:

• Typical Positions by WIM Iryna Zenyuk 
• Typical Positions Part 2
• Typical Positions Part 6

Slav Defense

Watch:

• Gelfand vs. Morozevich and the New Opening Theory You Must Know by GM Melik Khachiyan
• Shankland's Summer Travels 4: vs. GM Pawel Jaracz by GM Sam Shankland 
• Climbing the Super-GM Mountain: vs. Evgeny Bareev by GM Viktor Mikhalevski
• How to Make Swiss Cheese: Mikhalevski vs. Grandadam

Read:

Typical Positions Part 3 by WIM Iryna Zenyuk
The Slav by GM Magesh Panchanathan and GM Arun Prasad

Nimzo-Indian Defense

Watch:

• US Chess League: A Crushing Debut  by GM Ben Finegold
• How to Beat a Strong Opponent: Attack With Force
• Back in the Day With Ben! Part 2
• Back in the Day With Ben! Part 3
• Beating Your Nemesis: The Nimzo-Indian

Read:

Typical Positions Part 5 by WIM Iryna Zenyuk

King’s Indian Defense

Watch:

• Playing With a Space Advantage: Part 5 by GM Alex Lenderman
• Shankland's Summer Travels 1: vs. Sergey Perman
• Shankland's Summer Travels 2: vs. GM Ilya Nyzhnyk 

Read:

Karpov vs. Kasparov: King's Indian Defense by GM Bryan Smith

Grünfeld Defense

Watch:

• Beating Your Nemesis: The Grünfeld by GM Ben Finegold
• What's Hot: Topical Grünfeld Theory Part 1 by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili
• What's Hot: Topical Grünfeld Theory Part 2
• What's Hot: Topical Grünfeld Theory Part 3
• What's Hot: Topical Grünfeld Theory Part 4

Read:

• Clash of Champions: Smyslov vs. Botvinnik by GM Bryan Smith
• Megatheory 11 - Exchange Grünfeld: The Exchange Sacrifice by FM Eric Schiller

Benoni Defense

Watch:

• Shankland's Summer Travels 6: vs. GM Peter Leko 2 by GM Sam Shankland
• Nor-Cali International Battles: vs. IM Bryant

Read:

• The Modern Benoni by GM Magesh Panchanathan and GM Arun Prasad
• The Importance of Exchanging the Correct Knight against Fischer's Idea in the Modern Benoni by FM William Morrison 

Secondary Options

Watch:

• Becoming a Nemesis: Beating the Benko! by GM Ben Finegold
• Benko Gambit Destruction by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili
• Ideas for White in the Leningrad Dutch: 2.Nc3 by IM Thomas Rendle
• How to Play Against the Albin Counter Gambit by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili

Read:

• The Chigorin Queen's Gambit: A History Part by GM Bryan Smith
• The Chigorin Queen's Gambit: A History Part 2
• Typical Positions Part 4 by WIM Iryna Zenyuk

6. Test Your Opening Understanding.

Now that you've learned the theory and main ideas behind each of your openings, you'll need practice finding the right plan once you reach the middlegame. Work through the following course by IM Jeremy Silman, as he tests you on a number of different thematic middlegames, asking you to find the best and most natural plan in each one. Complete each lesson and if you can score at least 70%, you will have made great progress.
Now What? by IM Jeremy Silman

7. Gain Practical Experience With Your Openings.

As soon as your repertoire starts to take shape, you should try out your new opening knowledge in real games.

Play two games (alternating colors) with a time control of G/15 or longer at least four days per week (total eight games per week).

After each game, ask the following questions and keep written track of your answers (this will help you with Task #8):

• On what move was I "out of book"? (meaning after which move were you no longer aware of specific opening theory and started to think on your own).
• With Black, was I able to complete my development and create counterplay?
• With White, could I lay claim to having some kind of advantage from the opening (piece development, space, pawn structure, etc.)?
• After the opening was over, did I feel comfortable with my position and have a general idea of what to do in the middlegame?
• For each mistake that you made in the opening, was it a tactical mistake or a strategic one? (i.e. blundering a pawn vs developing a piece to a bad square)

Keeping written track of all your answers, this will make the following task much easier:

8. Analyze Your Games

Review the opening of each game you played to see where you could have improved. There are several different methods for doing this, we'd recommend trying all of the following:

• Analyze your games using Chess.com's analysis tools:
  • Using Chess.com's Live Analysis Coaching Tool: IM Daniel Rensch
  • Using Chess.com: ECO Links | Instant Chess Openings Explorer
  • Using Chess.com's Computer Analysis Tool
• Analyze your games with a training partner or a professional coach.
• Write a blog about some of your recent games with a focus on the opening/early middlegame phase. Come up with suggestions where you or your opponent could have improved. Ask members to comment on your annotations and to suggest their own improvements.