I want to get really good at one opening
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Starting out, I'm always confused as to what to do. I know to develop, open lines, and take center control, but I often feel lost when I'm playing. Is there somewhere where I can learn how to memorize one opening and what to do after the opponents response? Thank you!
"... For beginning players, [Discovering Chess Openings by GN John Emms] 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
Two other introductions to openings are 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/
https://www.mongoosepress.com/catalog/excerpts/openings_amateurs.pdf
and Winning Chess Openings by GM Yasser Seirawan (~1999).
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
"... A typical way of choosing an opening repertoire is to copy the openings used by a player one admires. ... However, what is good at world-championship level is not always the best choice at lower levels of play, and it is often a good idea to choose a 'model' who is nearer your own playing strength. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"... 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)
Mar 30, 2018
0
#3
You're best off learning what makes a bad opening and how to punish that than learning your own good opening. Stick to normal play, if you want something unique Queens Gambit works well at low levels, and doesn't have all too many good variations.
Actually joined 6 days ago. 4 days as of post. play games
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627104938/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen159.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20140627040728/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/ebcafe06.pdf
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627022042/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen153.pdf
Mar 30, 2018
0
#7
There's your first MAJOR problem! Uttering the word MEMORIZE is the complete wrong approach!
You need to UNDERSTAND the ideas, not memorize moves. What do you do when your opponent plays something a little unorthodox? If you just continue to play rout moves, you will LOSE!
I'll use myself as an example. I have played almost every opening under the sun. I could regurgitate to you the first 10 moves of the Exchange Variation of the Alekhine with 5...cxd6. That doesn't mean I understand it. I can explain all the ideas of the French Defense, answer weird moves properly, know what both White's and Black's plans are, and can easily play the position from either side with extreme confidence because I UNDERSTAND THE POSITION rather than merely regurgitate moves as would be the case with the Exchange Variation of the Alekhine as I don't play the Alekhine as Black and against it, I play the classical (4.Nf3), not the exchange.
Mar 30, 2018
0
#8
grrrrrrrtt wrote:
Starting out, I'm always confused as to what to do. I know to develop, open lines, and take center control, but I often feel lost when I'm playing. Is there somewhere where I can learn how to memorize one opening and what to do after the opponents response? Thank you!
Youre hanging pieces, missing simple tactics, not following opening principles. Openings are the last thing you should be wasting time on. And you DO NOT memorize openings. You study them, so you UNDERSTAND the "why" behines each move.
Here is your last game. How is memorizing an opening supposed to prevent any of this?
https://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=2711968708
Mar 30, 2018
0
#9
Opening Principles:
1. Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5
2. Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key
3. Castle
4. Connect your rooks
Tactics...tactics...tactics...
Pre Move Checklist:
1. Make sure all your pieces are safe.
2. Look for forcing move: Checks, captures, threats. You want to look at ALL forcing moves (even the bad ones) this will force you look at, and see the entire board.
3. If there are no forcing moves, you then want to remove any of your opponent’s pieces from your side of the board.
4. If your opponent doesn’t have any of his pieces on your side of the board, then you want to improve the position of your least active piece.
5. After each move by your opponent, ask yourself: "What is my opponent trying to do?"
Middlegame Planning:
1. Expand your position:
a. Gain more space.
b. Improve the position of your pieces.
2. Decide on what side of the board to play.
a. Queenside: a-c files.
b. Center: d-e files.
c. Kingside: f-h files.
Compare, space, material, and weakness(es)
Play where you have the advantage.
3. DO NOT HURRY. Regroup your pieces, and be patient.
Do not learn openings, just play its. Choose ones and play its. After each game analize where you play wrong and how you should (by books or something). And play again.
Apr 1, 2018
0
#11
The Colle System is a universal attack for White which works pretty well at beginner level. Not very adventurous, but players who are starting out often just want a solid opening that avoids an early defeat. Likewise the once despised London System, which is now suddenly popular due to Carlsen and Nakamura playing it. As Black the Modern Defence (which can be transposed into closely related defences such as the Pirc and King's Indian) can be played against everything except (the uncommon) 1.b3 and 1.b4. The basic idea behind it is easy to understand. To avoid being smashed in no time by a very strong opponent you will need some theory but at beginner level, just playing with the idea of letting white build a strong centre and aiming to destroy it from the flanks can result in an excellent success rate as well as teaching you a different approach to the game. I recommend the book "The Modern Tiger." There are plenty of resources on the internet dealing with the Colle and the London Systems showing you the basic set-ups.
