Easy Steps to Perfect Opening Play

Openings are crucial for players above 1800 ELO. And you should study them. Though there is a common question, do chess players spend too much time on openings? And the answer is probably yes, as studying openings will never be as beneficial to you as analyzing your own games. 

But, if done properly, analyzing openings can serve great benefits. I think a lot of people don't like the idea of spending time studying openings because it can be mindless. Anyone can analyze openings, especially if they are just memorizing or regurgitating moves with no critical thought. But this isn't how you should study them!

Openings require you put in as much active thinking as you would in any other area of training. 

In this week's blog, I will look at a step-by-step method for improving your opening play.

1. Determine your skill level and level of ambition to learn openings

Firstly, find out your skill level. This is quite easy as all you have to do is look up your rating. Like I said earlier, 1800+ players should spend more time on openings than players below 1800. Instead, players below "A" class would find a better use of time by studying puzzles or calculation.

In addition, know if you like openings or not. Do you want to spend a large portion of time studying? If so, define it. Set a goal. It could be something simple like creating a list of openings you played versus various opponents. Or it could be as complex as building a comprehensive opening file so you need zero analysis over the board. 

But you should have some level of ambition to study openings as they play a big role in chess. 

2. Choose a good opening

Pick a sound opening that isn't too dubious. Dubious lines may work well in quick blitz games, but you shouldn't structure your opening repertoire off of your blitz games. Also, make the opening flow with your style of play. For example, a sharp player would play the KID instead of the Nimzo-Indian.

In addition, I would recommend sticking to one opening and mastering it for players below 2200. Discover all of the nuances and tactical patterns before studying another opening. 

If you need to play numerous games to discover what opening feels best, do so. Don't guess what opening fits you, otherwise, you may be setting yourself up for a world of hurt. 

3. Find a book or video course of your opening

Opening books and courses can be immensely helpful for players below the master level because not many of your opponents will know the lines discussed. Players above the master level may find them not as helpful because everyone already knows the lines and ideas in the book which could be outdated.

Grandmaster Repertoire: The English Opening

Instead of weaving your own way through opening theory, a book can take some of the heavy lifting for you. You don't have to fish for annotated games with your opening as the book already comes with them. So all you need to do is read and absorb the information. The same can be said about a video course. 

Just make sure the book isn't too old or the theory may be completely irrelevant. Again, for players below the master level, a book or video course is an excellent resource that should be used.

4. Input the games and moves into ChessBase

ChessBase is an incredible resource that every serious chess player should have. It can do numerous tasks but the one we will be using for openings is the "board", "kibitzer", and "reference" tab or database. 

ChessBase  

ChessBase is certainly not a requirement, but a helpful tool. If you don't have it, simply work off the book, video, or database (more on this later).

As you input the games into ChessBase, make sure to add annotations and text. The more the better. Usually, the book or video comes with this analysis, so it may already be done for you. The text and commentary you add will make the opening line much easier to remember.

5. Analyze the opening

The most common way to analyze an opening is with mega databases and engines. The quality and depth of your analysis is up to you and your goals with opening study. 

Analyzing with a database may be the best way to analyze openings because you are able to compare grandmaster games with one another. Also, you are able to see what grandmasters are playing and how they are playing it. 

Constantly compare the moves and lines with one another and with the help of an engine. Take a look at the score and frequency of the line played. But you must also take into account what you are willing to play in a game. For example, if an engine suggests a move that is best, but you aren't willing to play it, then don't analyze it. Pick a move that you will play even if it isn't best. 

Another thing to keep in mind when analyzing openings is to add not just word commentary but symbols. Add !?, ?, +-, etc. when necessary. 

Sample position and database

Again, be constantly comparing the ideas given by the books, video, database, and engine. If you find better moves or better ideas, play them by all means! Maybe even throw in a few of your own ideas to surprise opponents!

More tips:

Analyze normal moves

When you are done analyzing the critical variations, look at normal moves. Look at moves that seem logical and would be played by your opponent. Engines are much different than humans, so make sure to incorporate a human mind and thinking into your analysis as well. 

Constantly ask yourself, would I play this in a game?

Just because the book or engine suggests something, doesn't mean you have to play it. Make sure the moves in your opening files are moves you are willing to play. Make your own evaluations. I cannot stress the importance of this. 

Stop when branches become too big or lines become irrelevant

Obviously, the aim of opening study is to improve your openings. But some lines go straight into the endgame or trail off forever into a line no one will ever play. Don't waste time looking at or analyzing these variations.

Also, if a line leads to a position where one side can make numerous, but not critical moves, it is time to stop. Otherwise, you will be analyzing forever. Just look at the position, produce ideas, and make a final evaluation. It will save you a lot of headaches, pain, and time. 

Opening lines should go briefly into the middlegame unless one side already has a big advantage and it isn't necessary. Having lines go into the middlegame will be very advantageous as you will be equipped with practical and good middlegame ideas. By doing this, you will not only improve opening play but also middlegame and positional play as well. 

Memorization

Lots of players struggle or complain about not remembering their openings. Of course, this will happen to every player at one time or another, but it can be resolved with work. 

Repetition is the obvious answer to remembering an opening but there are some strategies that may help. The passive and active memory should both be worked. Passive memory has to do with recognizing patterns while active memory is recalling patterns. 

When entering moves into a file or clicking through lines, you are activating the passive memory. When actively remembering and recalling the moves, you are activating the active memory. 

So after going through the lines a few times (passive), try to remember them and play them again on the board without looking at the variations (active). 

Another strategy that can be implemented to help with opening memorization is playing the moves on a physical board. By doing this, you may subconsciously be remembering the moves based on feel and touch. Also, say the moves aloud when playing. 

 Physically playing moves on the board can be beneficial

I've said it before, but repetition is extremely important. You can't just look at an opening once and call it good. Create a schedule where you are reviewing the same lines on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. 

Preparing

Some players don't pay much attention to preparation, but I think it is beneficial to know what your opponent plays and what you will play when you face them. 

In general, it is best for you to gather as much information as possible against your opponent while they gather little information about you. Though, it is up to the player to interpret the information. 

If you want to prepare, discover your opponent's style of play and opening repertoire. Then, base your opening choice against them. If they are a sharp player, play solid, and vice versa. If they are skilled in a certain opening, don't go into it unless you are confident with your ideas. 

Once you have chosen an opening, it is time to rehearse. Use some of the methods discussed in the "Memorization" section and it will be advantageous. Know the moves and ideas by heart so you aren't surprised by anything and you may end up with a 30+ minute time advantage out of the opening or a winning position!

Good luck!

I am offering chess lessons to anyone who is interested (and below my skill level of course!). Just privately message me and we can work things out there.

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