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How to select openings (BLACK)

How to select openings (BLACK)

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Hello all, 
continuing my blog series. I used to blog under "thechesscorner64" , here a sample entry for those who would like tactics tips.

https://www.chess.com/blog/thechesscorner64/a-few-tips-for-puzzle-rush-and-tactics-solving

but onto the new blog !

I get so many questions about how to choose openings, also with the Black pieces.

My answer, I tried to avoid too many long lines to memorize, because I dont have the time to study chess and maybe possibly because if I had, I am not sure I would be motivated to memorize all these theoretical moves, watch all the youtubes, chess.com lessons, chessable. Too much work for the person I am....

variety is the spice of life


I will blog about this set-up today

I play the black side and this is called the hedgehog, because Black's pieces are all develop with 3 rows, from row 8 to row 6. It looks cramped, but this system is DANGEROUS.

and because it will be a long post, if you keep reading, you will see how this system became important in my encounter with a WGM and streamer superstar and promising player https://www.chess.com/member/nemsko

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What is the traditional way to play the hedgehog ? lets see Mr Vladimir Kramnik, GM and former world champion

as we can see, Vladimir was able to free his pieces and finish with a tactical flourish.
Let me show another game 
also finishing with a strong attack. This opening is defined by first staying behind but then free your pieces and go for counter-attack.
what is the common theme between this game and the previous one ?
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Well, in both cases Black managed to get the pawn break-through d6-d5. This is how I "study" openings, not by memorizing 20 moves of theory, but by trying to understand what Black should be preparing or placing the pieces , or the main IDEAS.
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but there's more to it.
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I decided I would spice up things with the h-pawn.
its a simple yet surprising idea. As Black, do not castle yet, and play h5-h4-h3 because White typically play 0-0, short castle very early on. Also with the pawns on d6 and e6, not so easy for White to take advantage of the king in the center because of the closed nature of the hedgehog.
Here's a GM game played in 2016 ! its not a new idea.
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but now, I'd like to show my own game against the talented stream and WGM Nemsko
real name Qiyu Zhou
Comments/Suggestions Welcome !