How to properly set up an opening repertoire?

Hello everyone.

I need to prepare myself better opening-wise, but I'm not too good with this opening repertoire process. I mean, there are some openings I play, but I can't seem to get deep down about them, recalling lines and lines, so I wanted to ask if anyone has a specific process of doing this and how do you do it?

I usually play the KG but people say that it ain't solid, well this is another thing that scares me a bit, like, I make a repertoire for an opening which can be refuted etc.

So any thoughts on this? Thanks o/

WOW!
I didn't know that there was a MY statistics!
Thank you. I'll check it asap.

Also, great article man.

I have a smth like library group.
A good idea to keep things in track is to build a summary.
It really helps.

Man thanks for this Explorer stuff.
I'm already setting up some great ideas.

Yea!
Man it is tasty.

How to Build Your Chess Opening Repertoire  by Steve Giddins.  A book to guide you in the considerations involved in choosing your openings - the title says it all. 

The following articles relating to choosing an opening repertoire are interesting and informative...

http://www.mark-weeks.com/aboutcom/aa02i07.htm

http://grandpatzerchess.blogspot.com/2007/03/openings-for-improving-players-part-1.html

http://grandpatzerchess.blogspot.com/2007/03/openings-for-improving-players-part-2.html

http://grandpatzerchess.blogspot.com/2007/03/openings-for-improving-players-part-3.html

Here are some opening repertoire suggestions by GM Nigel Davies and IM Andrew Martin:

Martin's repertoire...(click the icons with downward pointing arrows to download the pgn files)...

http://www.chesspublishing.com/content/repert.htm

Davies' repertoire...

http://www.chesspublishing.com/content/repert2.htm

You might also like to check out some of the openings repertoire books towards the end of the following list...

Good Chess Openings Books for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-openings-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

in particular (for your level) I might suggest considering "Better Chess Openings" by J.E.F. Kaan....

Very useful:

http://materiais.rafaelleitao.com/ebook-montando-um-repertorio-de-aberturas-de-xadrez

For someone seeking help with choosing openings, I usually bring up Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014).
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/openings-for-amateurs/
I believe that it is possible to see a fair portion of the beginning of Tamburro's book by going to the Mongoose Press site.
https://www.mongoosepress.com/catalog/excerpts/openings_amateurs.pdf
Perhaps Wind would also want to look at Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006).
"... For beginning players, [Discovering Chess Openings] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
"There is no such thing as a 'best opening.' Each player should choose an opening that attracts him. Some players are looking for a gambit as White, others for Black gambits. Many players that are starting out (or have bad memories) want to avoid mainstream systems, others want dynamic openings, and others want calm positional pathways. It’s all about personal taste and personal need.
For example, if you feel you’re poor at tactics you can choose a quiet positional opening (trying to hide from your weakness and just play chess), or seek more dynamic openings that engender lots of tactics and sacrifices (this might lead to more losses but, over time, will improve your tactical skills and make you stronger)." - IM Jeremy Silman (January 28, 2016)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/opening-questions-and-a-dream-mate
https://www.chess.com/article/view/picking-the-correct-opening-repertoire
http://chess-teacher.com/best-chess-openings/
https://www.chess.com/blog/TigerLilov/build-your-opening-repertoire
https://www.chess.com/blog/CraiggoryC/how-to-build-an-opening-repertoire
https://www.chess.com/article/view/learning-an-opening-to-memorize-or-understand
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-perfect-opening-for-the-lazy-student
https://www.chess.com/article/view/3-ways-to-learn-new-openings
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-understand-openings
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9035.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627110453/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen169.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9029.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/has-the-king-s-indian-attack-been-forgotten
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7277.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9033.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9050.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627104938/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen159.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627022042/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen153.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
"... Overall, I would advise most players to stick to a fairly limited range of openings, and not to worry about learning too much by heart. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"... Once you identify an opening you really like and wish to learn in more depth, then should you pick up a book on a particular opening or variation. Start with ones that explain the opening variations and are not just meant for advanced players. ..." - Dan Heisman (2001)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626180930/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman06.pdf
"... To begin with, only study the main lines ... you can easily fill in the unusual lines later. ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)
"... I feel that the main reasons to buy an opening book are to give a good overview of the opening, and to explain general plans and ideas. ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)
"... If the book contains illustrative games, it is worth playing these over first ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)
"... the average player only needs to know a limited amount about the openings he plays. Providing he understands the main aims of the opening, a few typical plans and a handful of basic variations, that is enough. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)
"... Everyman Chess has started a new series aimed at those who want to understand the basics of an opening, i.e., the not-yet-so-strong players. ... I imagine [there] will be a long series based on the premise of bringing the basic ideas of an opening to the reader through plenty of introductory text, game annotations, hints, plans and much more. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2002)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627055734/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen38.pdf
"The way I suggest you study this book is to play through the main games once, relatively quickly, and then start playing the variation in actual games. Playing an opening in real games is of vital importance - without this kind of live practice it is impossible to get a 'feel' for the kind of game it leads to. There is time enough later for involvement with the details, after playing your games it is good to look up the line." - GM Nigel Davies (2005)

Good stuff Russ and Spongey!

I think the GrandPatzer Chess articles are particularly interesting...

Hello @Wind! You mentioned that people did not think that the KG was a solid opening and did not recommend it for you. It is very important that you, before starting to memorize lines, look at the best chess openings out there and pick one that suits your style.

What type of player are you? Are you more positional or are you a tactical player?

Thank you all guys!
That really means a lot to me.

I will have a look at these great materials and begin to trace my repertoire.

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-openings/what-does-a-repertoire-even-look-like-1

@Wind Good luck with your chess opening repertoire!

Maybe we could have a TV show right after Splash and Bubbles.

Fabulous gathering of information on opening repertoire - just what I've been looking for. Thank you!

Thanks for all the links.

For a strong repertoire u need experience, a plan, a strategy and control over the centre.

This doesn't make any sense.

Also, replying to a 7-year old topic for no reason makes no sense either.

Welll it wasn't for no reason. Old information is still invaluable and my search turned up this link from Russ Bell. If old information wasn't important then most of the old Grand Master's games would be worthless, no? So yes, I replied to bring it forward again.