80 percentile openings

Hi fellow chess players, 

Being rather new to chess, I've tried to get a grip of openings without much luck. But now I've found a way. I've systematically looked at all openings in the Master Database to find what I call the "80 percentile openings", which means the moves used in 80 % of all cases, or more. So far, I'm at the third half move, and it turns out to be a lot easier to remember this way, I think. I've blogged about it, for my own use. Here is a link to my blog entry, hoping others might find it useful as well. 

http://blog.chess.com/view/80--openings

Have fun, and let me know what you think, 

Stefan

Well most chess players would call these the "main lines". I think what you're doing is pretty instructive ... as you get stronger, you'll start deviating because just because it is "main line theory" doesn't mean you'll necessarily ENJOY playing these positions.  

For example, the main lines of the Scotch Gambit/Max Lange are fairly psychotic and explosive. Though just cause I know the moves that 80% of the Masters play, that doesn't change the fact that I feel like I'm playing russian roulette with my opponent => not my definition of a good time.

I thought this might be what's called the main lines. I also agree that these lines might not be the best lines for me (or anybody else) to play, but I think it's nice to know them. But this way it's easy for me to remember them, something I had a lot of trouble with using various books on openings.

Agreed...read up / learn the main lines first as these are usually the birthing grounds of the entire opening system....then start picking pet lines that become your bread-and-butter repertoire.