I thought that people at 1000+ rating had some idea of openings. But it seems, from this thread, that no one from this rating should know detailed opening theory.
I'm interested to know why you would think that someone at my rating would know opening theory? Nearly all my opponents make mistakes in the opening so I want to know what you thought from your perspective.
1.e4 e5 is the opening system most commonly recommended for beginners. Besides being the most direct winning attempt, these were the openings most commonly used 150-200 years ago when "opening principles" and "positional play" originate and were often explained using these openings. Also, preparing the most common combinational attacks against f7 and h7 (and preventing them) are a major element in these lines.
The problem I have with 1. e4 e5 is that most players know the basics and it is very unpredictable for someone at my level. I used it until I got to around 1000 rated although now I am having very little success with it.
I suggest giving your opponent a somewhat unfamiliar yet solid opening at the beginner-intermediate level. The Danish, Vienna and Evans Gambits are probably the most solid gambits. The London system is however one of the strongest alongside the Catalan.
You could also try the Halloween gambit
What is the point of this gambit? It looks very unreliable.
Also try things like this
or this
and this
These are all good ig (I think the last one is the traxler against the fried liver) although they are basically trick opening and are not solid.
I recommend go fishing. It is certainly more productive than learning openings at the beginner level. It really doesn't matter at all getting an opening advantage as long as one is dropping material to simple tactical shots.
You should focus on tactics, and VERY simple endgames.
I recommend go fishing. It is certainly more productive than learning openings at the beginner level. It really doesn't matter at all getting an opening advantage as long as one is dropping material to simple tactical shots.
You should focus on tactics, and VERY simple endgames.
I have 3 things to say to that
1. I'm Also Greek
2. An opening advantage obviously helps with tactics as it allows for them to happen
3. Most of the time (In my opinion) I lose because of the opening. I have been focusing on tactics and I think I'm quite familiar with simple endgames although to reach the next level (1200) I feel like I really need to learn openings.
I thought that people at 1000+ rating had some idea of openings. But it seems, from this thread, that no one from this rating should know detailed opening theory.
I'm interested to know why you would think that someone at my rating would know opening theory? Nearly all my opponents make mistakes in the opening so I want to know what you thought from your perspective.
My opponents make mistakes in the opening, too. They did know to play the Italian Game and not the Halloween gambit or King's gambit. I thought that they knew what they were doing when they played these openings and not other ones because they knew this particular opening.
And I am not saying the King's gambit is bad. It is just too complicated for players in this level.
1.e4 e5 is the opening system most commonly recommended for beginners. Besides being the most direct winning attempt, these were the openings most commonly used 150-200 years ago when "opening principles" and "positional play" originate and were often explained using these openings. Also, preparing the most common combinational attacks against f7 and h7 (and preventing them) are a major element in these lines.
The problem I have with 1. e4 e5 is that most players know the basics and it is very unpredictable for someone at my level. I used it until I got to around 1000 rated although now I am having very little success with it.
It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Are you trying to win more blitz games vs low-rated opponents or are you trying to learn to play chess well. That will take work, and learning to succeed vs unpredictable (and poor) opening lines is part of it.
The Vienna is lethal at that level. Almost no one knows how to properly play against it and you can usually gain a big advantage at the start. Gothamchess has some videos about it on his youtube channel.
I'm learning the Vienna right now and I hope you're right! 
In addition to the Gotham Chess videos, I found the Chess Bootcamp videos (on Youtube) really interesting for my level of play. I recommend to all those who want to try the Vienna.
you cant go wrong with queens gambit
Yeah, though that's definitely not how you play it...
1.e4 e5 is the opening system most commonly recommended for beginners. Besides being the most direct winning attempt, these were the openings most commonly used 150-200 years ago when "opening principles" and "positional play" originate and were often explained using these openings. Also, preparing the most common combinational attacks against f7 and h7 (and preventing them) are a major element in these lines.
The problem I have with 1. e4 e5 is that most players know the basics and it is very unpredictable for someone at my level. I used it until I got to around 1000 rated although now I am having very little success with it.
It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Are you trying to win more blitz games vs low-rated opponents or are you trying to learn to play chess well. That will take work, and learning to succeed vs unpredictable (and poor) opening lines is part of it.
I am trying to learn to play chess well. I kinda hate blitz games as my moves are too accurate.
Caro Cann requires the study of the theory behind it but it is so worth it. Most beginners I've observed do the Italian or a e4 opening so you have lots of time to play it.
1.e4 e5 is the opening system most commonly recommended for beginners. Besides being the most direct winning attempt, these were the openings most commonly used 150-200 years ago when "opening principles" and "positional play" originate and were often explained using these openings. Also, preparing the most common combinational attacks against f7 and h7 (and preventing them) are a major element in these lines.
The problem I have with 1. e4 e5 is that most players know the basics and it is very unpredictable for someone at my level. I used it until I got to around 1000 rated although now I am having very little success with it.
Nobody knows the basics on your level. Otherwise, their level would be much higher.
Caro Cann requires the study of the theory behind it but it is so worth it. Most beginners I've observed do the Italian or a e4 opening so you have lots of time to play it.
I have been playing Caro Kann every single time I have black against e4. It is definitely my favourite opening at the moment and I have been going over theory. My problem is that I don't have a strong opening line for white.
1.e4 e5 is the opening system most commonly recommended for beginners. Besides being the most direct winning attempt, these were the openings most commonly used 150-200 years ago when "opening principles" and "positional play" originate and were often explained using these openings. Also, preparing the most common combinational attacks against f7 and h7 (and preventing them) are a major element in these lines.
The problem I have with 1. e4 e5 is that most players know the basics and it is very unpredictable for someone at my level. I used it until I got to around 1000 rated although now I am having very little success with it.
Nobody knows the basics on your level. Otherwise, their level would be much higher.
I'm not sure this makes much sense. Knowing the basics of openings doesn't automatically make you higher rated or have a better understanding. Also, I think the basics for someone rated 2000 and is a chess coach is not the same as the basics for an 1100 rated player.
I'm not sure this makes much sense. Knowing the basics of openings doesn't automatically make you higher rated or have a better understanding.
It does.
If you know HOW to arrange your forces in the opening, without any specific variation memorization, you can enter the crucial middlegame part of the game without fear.
Andrew67275, NO HALLOWEEN GAMBIT!