Hi guys, i've been playing the sveshnikov sicilian for about a year now, im wondering whether or not to switch to a Najdorf or something else, im also happy help others learn the sicilian, it's one of my favourite weapons, it's not really that suitable for beginners, but if youre intermediate or above, i'm happy to help you learn it. Thanks in advance!
There's always a few questions you have to ask myself when looking for a new opening to try:
- How much time do you have to study a new opening?
- What do you want to get out of a new opening?"
Thank you for this. As a mostly self-taught player, I would like some pointers on this as well:
1. I mostly learn new openings by playing them and trial and error (i.e. "don´t try that again next time").
2. I wanted to start with learning only one or two openings very well. I already decided on Scandinavian with black (and I think I am currently winning more games playing as black than when playing as white, which is wrong), but I have not decided on an opening for white beyond e4.
"The second question to this can have a wide range of answers, a few examples that came straight to mind (but this won't be a complete list)
- Do you want more variety in the positions played?" -- Yes! I would prefer to get to the point where you have to think about your moves instead of just playing something from memory as fast as possible.
- Do you want a surprise weapon against people who know what you play? -- Not an issue yet.
- Do you want a secondary opening that compliments your current opening, can help you understand it better or transpose to when it's better? -- Maybe when playing black. I don´t even have a favourite opening when playing white.
- Do you want a secondary opening that is a completely different, help understand different pawn structures or have different concepts (weapons or defences) that you'll get to learn that are rarely seen in your main line? -- Maybe
- Do you want to target a particular player whom you're having difficulty facing? -- No
I'm sure there's more considerations than this but if you let us know what you want from a new opening that would help answer the question.
On a secondary note I would never say its bad to learn any particular opening even if its just for the enjoyment of studying, but if your goals are rating focused (especially short term rather than long term goals) and time is limited there might be things to focus on that are a better use of that time.
What I would like a something for playing with white where:
- There are many lines, so neither myself nor my opponent are likely to have memorized them all or most of them.
- Get into the middle game as fast as possible.
- Less opportunities for exchanging pieces (i.e. ability to stay in the middle game for longer),
- Opposite castles for a sharper game.
- Aimed at chances for middle game check mate opportunities rather than material advantage.
Some pointers or suggestions?
Hi guys, i've been playing the sveshnikov sicilian for about a year now, im wondering whether or not to switch to a Najdorf or something else, im also happy help others learn the sicilian, it's one of my favourite weapons, it's not really that suitable for beginners, but if youre intermediate or above, i'm happy to help you learn it. Thanks in advance!
There's always a few questions you have to ask myself when looking for a new opening to try:
The second question to this can have a wide range of answers, a few examples that came straight to mind (but this won't be a complete list)
I'm sure there's more considerations than this but if you let us know what you want from a new opening that would help answer the question.
On a secondary note I would never say its bad to learn any particular opening even if its just for the enjoyment of studying, but if your goals are rating focused (especially short term rather than long term goals) and time is limited there might be things to focus on that are a better use of that time.
Hi Cartoon46, that is a really great list, you definetly convinced me to not learn anything new, with the theory of the Najdorf and my limited time, don't think it would be worth it. Those questions are brilliant, definetly going to review those before learning a new opening, thanks!