What you would like to master would be very good. Problem is that what you ask isn't something you can't learn only out of a book. It takes lots and lots of practice and, more important, the ability to learn from previous mistakes.
And that last task is difficult. It's , certainly with things like Komodo, fritz or stockfish, to find the better move. But that won't help to become better, you need to understand why you lost, not what moves would have given the draw or win.
Seems a game of words but the difference is huge, the difference between a master and us simple club players.
I can almost hear you think "how the f*** does this bs answer help me?????"
I really don,t know , that why I didn't make it to become IM :-)
Hi. I'm a relatively new player; I learned when I was a kid but have only really been playing consistently for the last few months or so. I feel pretty confident about my improvement tactically, and usually by middlegame I feel pretty comfortable, but I still struggle with openings.
So I have two questions; 1. I often see opponents at my level make moves that are not main lines, nor a line I'm really familiar with, even if it's an opening I'm comfortable with. And if I had the time to really analyze it fully, I could understand why it wasn't maybe so sound, and play aginst it. But I usually play 10 min games, where time is of an issue. So my question is, besides learning openings by rote, is there a simpler or more abstract way of looking at specific moves in an opening- less in the way of what the move is doing, but more what it's not doing, so I can take advantage of it? I guess I'm looking for strategic advice- like, I know that f7/f2 is a weakness at the very beginning, but maybe if there are other similar ideas specific to different openings?
And 2. To more experienced players, if you might be able to provide some tips per my opening repertoire. I like to play very sharp lines and aggressive, Romantic, sacrifical play. However, I also want to find lines that will help me the most with regards to improving my play- rather than simply learning effective lines, I would like to be playing lines that teach a useful strategy, important concepts, something like that. I have mainly tried to stick to open games as much as possible for this purpose.
As White I always play e4, going to the Italian Game if possible. From there, I feel pretty comfortable with the Two Knights' Defense or Evans' Gambit. I play the Smith-Morra against the Sicilian. I have much more trouble with the French or Caro-Kann.
As Black I respond to e4 with e5, aiming for similar lines as in my games as White. Against d4, I play Nf6, and some sort of Benoni. If I can get into the Benko gambit I feel very comfortable, but if something other than 2.c4 I dont have a lot of practice.
I would appreciate any tips or comments!