How to: Chess Opening Study

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Kupov

Sep 20, 2009

I see these threads pop up all the time and while I'm no expert at all on openings (I have maybe four or five variations committed to memory about six or seven moves deep) I think I can make a reasonable explanation of a good way to learn and assimilate opening moves and ideas.

Looking over openings in books is definitely beneficial, but if you never learn why the moves are being played (and often it's explained) then you are never actually going to learn the opening (though you may memorize a variation or two).

For example, I played a game against my very strong chess computer the other day, I had the white pieces and opened with E4, the computer played the Caro Kann defense. Now in my ignorance I looked back to 'Understanding the Chess Openings' and what it said about the Caro Kann advanced variation, I recalled that the G4 pawn push was important to make time on the bishop... however...

I looked to the mainline and see that G4 has to be proceeded by putting the knight on to C3 and covering the bishop. I made other mistakes in the game, but after seeing this refutation I will NEVER forget knc3 in the advanced caro kann, because I know exactly why the move is played, and exactly how it benefits whites plan for kingside expansion.

My next example, against the same computer features a variation of the Scandinavian opening called the 'Icelandic gambit' (also featuring similar tactics), I make the simple mistake of defending with the wrong pawn, not thinking that such a simple move could give black a very very strong attack, so early in the game, as well as very very easy development.

This game shows what not to do, while also showing the options of development at blacks disposal in this opening. Though it's correct to defend with D2 that's not all that this game taught me, I'm going to always be mindful (when playing this opening) of whites weak points, as highlighted by this loss.

Kupov

Sep 20, 2009

Badump.