Beginner Question: How Do I Open? - Chess Forums

6pence

Mar 14, 2015

0

#1

I have been playing chess for years, but not in a very strategic way. I know how all the pieces move. I know the main concept is to develop my side of the board and bring out the pieces - but I do so in more of a 'random' way rather than with an actual plan.

I have watched youtube clips on specific openings (english, sicilian, etc) and that gives me the 'moves' to learn, which is needed, but I am hoping to learn the "why" and not just the "how". If anyone could offer me help in explaining the "why" that would be great! Though more of what I was expecting (and my reason for asking) is some site links, some videos or maybe even a book I can get at the library to explain to me how I can better open to improve my game.

thank you

baddogno

Mar 14, 2015

0

#2

The free Chess Mentor lessons include opening courses that do a nice job of explaining opening principles and tieing them into a very gentle introduction to theory. That's a good place to start. You might like Chess King's Guide to Opening Ideas, a 3 dvd video series where Steve Lopes takes you on a breezy whirlwind tour of all the major openings. Fundamental Chess Openings by Paul van der Sterren is the current gold standard for one volume opening enyclopedias. He does a nice job of explaining why certain lines have evolved and their major ideas. It's not dumbed down, but he doesn't usually go deeper than 8 to 12 moves, figuring you'll go check a database or specialized works for more. My $.02 and here's the CM link:

http://www.chess.com/blog/webmaster/free-chess-mentor-courses

phudson

Mar 14, 2015

0

#3

I second baddogno's Chess Mentor recommendation. I'd also suggest checking out lichess.org. They have puzzles that focus on finding good moves in the opening. It doesn't provide explanations like the Chess Mentor courses do, but if you take a few moments to study the position, the "why" is usually pretty easy to understand

doppelgangsterII

Mar 14, 2015

0

#4

6pence wrote:

I have been playing chess for years, but not in a very strategic way. I know how all the pieces move. I know the main concept is to develop my side of the board and bring out the pieces - but I do so in more of a 'random' way rather than with an actual plan.

I have watched youtube clips on specific openings (english, sicilian, etc) and that gives me the 'moves' to learn, which is needed, but I am hoping to learn the "why" and not just the "how". If anyone could offer me help in explaining the "why" that would be great! Though more of what I was expecting (and my reason for asking) is some site links, some videos or maybe even a book I can get at the library to explain to me how I can better open to improve my game.

thank you

jezzzuss! Open a book. If I could offer you some assistance in person it would be with the back of my hand and with some wall-to-wall counseling.

How long have you been this helpless?

As long as you were at it you should have asked for some help on how to tie shoe laces and also to have someone explain Einstein's general theory of relativity.

cornbeefhashvili

Mar 15, 2015

0

#5

LongIslandMark wrote:

First: see if you have two jacks.

More seriously, until you get stronger opponents, stick to 1.e4 e5 or 1.d4 d5 and play to the opening principles (as others have suggested).

Besides the free mentor courses, there are free videos explaining opening principles

Would I fold on a re-raise?

6pence

Mar 15, 2015

0

#6

baddogno wrote:

The free Chess Mentor lessons include opening courses that do a nice job of explaining opening principles and tieing them into a very gentle introduction to theory. That's a good place to start. You might like Chess King's Guide to Opening Ideas, a 3 dvd video series where Steve Lopes takes you on a breezy whirlwind tour of all the major openings. Fundamental Chess Openings by Paul van der Sterren is the current gold standard for one volume opening enyclopedias. He does a nice job of explaining why certain lines have evolved and their major ideas. It's not dumbed down, but he doesn't usually go deeper than 8 to 12 moves, figuring you'll go check a database or specialized works for more. My $.02 and here's the CM link:

http://www.chess.com/blog/webmaster/free-chess-mentor-courses

wonderful. this sounds like it is exactly what I was searching for. thank you for your post.