Have you ever played the scandinavian?
Black Opening Help!
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No, a Stonewall in reverse doesn't really work. The positions of the king and queen really do matter, it's really not the same. The two openings are utterly different.
At your level, you do indeed need to man up and play 1...e5. It's doable for you to learn the subtleties, and then you'll reap great rewards. Let the Sicilian wait for later.
I think that 1...e5 is the opening to go for any player of your rating range.
But to be fair I think that the opening is the last thing you need to worry about at the moment. Until the level of +- 2000/2100 Fide (something more at this site) are dicided on tactics. In your games that's not different.
So instead of learning an opening it's better to learn the principels of a opening. The three golden rules.
1) Pawn in the center
2) Activate your pieces
3) King savety
The idea of this rules is, that if you follow these rules (and first complete them, before you do other moves) and you don't trap in traps, you have a nice position.
So let's watch what did mean to the last games you lost in the opening:
(click at move list to see full anatory and moves)
So my conclusion is that it's better to work on your chess understanding, and slowly but surely going to understand them and work on your tactical skill (for example with tactics trainer), each day 10 minits and I think your chess will increase very soon.
A little edit: The reason why I should pick out 1...e5 is simple, because of the fact that this is the most logical opening. Where the rules works and what is easier to understand.
Of course he can play the sicilian at his level. But the sort of things you need to know to play the opening well are more basic after 1...e5 than after 1...c5. For instance, in the Sicilian if white plays well, white usually gets a big attack that black needs to survive, and then after he survives black has winning chances.
It is better to learn basic things, like development, control of the center, pawn breaks, attacks on f7/f2 etc first, and those are important in 1.e4 e5 openings.
you always try to move into the carro kann 1. ... c6 or the pirc 1. ... d6. of course, i rather enjoy 1. ... e5 =)
The Sicilian is too much theory for an 1100. I played it when I was a 1000 and I knew the theory cold (I played the dragon). Obviously my opponent would NEVER play the Yugoslav attack because he/she never knew it.
The Sicilian is better when the opponent has an idea of what to do against it (instead of playing boring moves). The boring moves make your position cramped and tight. I didnt like that play so I stopped playing it.
Try the caro-kann. It is different from 1...e5 and is fun to play as well as a very solid opening for black. You need solid at that level. When you get to 1400 or so you can pick up on the sicilian again if you like.
Ok, I played in an OTB tournament this weekend, and I dentified two things (aside from the usual tactics) that need work in my game is endgames, and my opening as black to 1.e4. AM very happy with my white openings, and my black response to 1.d4 and c4, but of course, i have yet to see either in tournament play.
I tried the French. Don't really love it.
Tried the Petroff. Boring, trades down quickly, blah.
So I want something else. I have two thoughts...
1. Just man up and play 1.e5 and learn responses to the open games.
2. Play a Sicilian.
The only reason I consider #2, is I play the Dutch Stonewall for d4, and really like those positions. It seems logical that you could create similar positions backwards w/ 1. c5, and setting up a backward stonewall, similar to the stonewall attack as white.
I'm sure that concept has been tried, and has a name. Does anyone know it?
Anyway, any opinions?