Opening Repertoire: Universal Opening Systems

Hi!

If you are not a fan of opening theory and sometimes ask yourself:-' How to cut down opening study time? ',  then Universal Opening Systems might be right for you!

In this post, I will not delve into the theory of these systems but rather focus on the general ideas behind them, and will list some of the most popular ones.

What would be the common characteristics of Universal Opening Systems?

  -They can be played against pretty much anything your opponent plays.

  -Move order is in general not that critical -with exceptions of course -, it is more important to arrive at the desired piece and pawn setup. They are also called Setup-Based Openings. 

  -They lead to closed or semi-closed/semi-open positions, thus they are prone to positional play rather than attacking one.

- Learning a "setup" offers a clear benefit: it enables you to consistently begin your games in a similar manner, leading to a deeper understanding of how to play it effectively.

The above mentioned characteristics make them easier to play than theoretically heavy openings like the Sicilian, Ruy Lopez or the Queen's Gambit, to name a few.

But be careful if you employ them as your main repertoire, you risk narrowing your understanding of chess. To be a well-rounded player, you need to know how to handle open positions and spot tactical opportunities right from the opening—skills that Universal Openings may not emphasize.

Let's list some examples for both sides:

Opening Systems as White

Some are very well known and have good  reputation. Most of the time White basically tries to play a Black Defense a tempo up. There are either classical or hypermodern systems.

Classical style

These are a good choice for all players from beginner level and beyond:

  London System

  Zuckertort-Reti 

  Colle 

Hypermodern style

These systems can be recommended for players who are at least approaching the intermediate level, as hypermodern strategy requires a fundamental understanding of chess:

  Reti 

  King's Indian Attack

  King's Fianchetto 

  Nimzo - Larsen Attack 

  White Hippo System

Universal first moves as Black

The situation changes slightly as Black if you want to play a Set-up based opening, since you depend on White's first move. You have to be prepared to face 1. e4 or 1. d4 (or Flank Openings or Rare First Moves), that normally lead to different type of openings.

For instance, if you want to play a King's Indian or Pirc setup (Nf6, g6, Bg7, d6, O-O) you need to follow a specific move order or play a "universal first move".

Against 1. e4, you should play 1...d6 and only after 2.d4, then 2...Nf6 (Pirc). Game can follow 3. Nc3, g6 4. Nf3, Bg7 5. Be2, O-O and you arrived at the desired setup. But if you change the move order and play 1...Nf6 first, then White can follow 2. e5 and you have to enter the Alekhine defense, a completely different opening. On the other hand, against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 would be fine to arrive to the same setup after 2. c4, g6 3. Nc3, Bg7 4. e4, d6 5. Nf3, O-O.

The move 1...d6 could be used against 1.e4, 1.d4 or any other, and Black still will achieve the desired setup. That is why this is considered a "universal first move" as Black.

There are not many universal first moves as Black:

  1...d6 Pirc/ King's Indian setup (or alternatively Filidor/Old Indian setup)

  1...g6 Modern 

  1...b6 Owen /English Defense 

  1...Nc6 Nimzowitsch Defense / Two Knights Tango

  The Hippo System is very flexible and ca be played after 1...d6, 1...g6 or 1...b6  

Personally, my experience with Universal Opening Systems goes from classic to hypermodern ones.  if I feel playing a solid game, I opt for the London System or the Zuckertort-Reti as White; or if I want a sharper game, I choose the Nimzo-Larsen Attack, Reti, or King's Fianchetto. And as Black, 1…d6 and 1…b6. If I want to test my opponent's patience I could even go from time to time for a Hippo setup with either side. I spent some time specializing in these openings and feel that it was a good investment because I get reasonable results and expanded my knowledge of openiung strategy.

Do you feel like playing Universal Opening Systems sometimes? Maybe you could give them a try! As I mentioned above, I don’t advocate for them as a permanent part of your repertoire, but they can be fun to explore.

If you would like to learn more about Universal Opening Systems or other openings, or improve your play in general, I would be happy to help. Do not hesitate to contact me!

Good luck!