I want to switch from the Ruy! I do, I do!

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Avatar of jdilley

I've been playing the Ruy Lopez as White since I started chess. but am finding that my results with it pale in comparison to my results as black.  I play the caro-kann and semi-slav exclusively as black.  Can anyone suggest a better white opening that follows those styles?

Avatar of tornadofdoom

Don't quote me on this, but I would say go exclusively for 1.d4 if you want to avoid e4-e5.

Avatar of master_in_panama

if you dont like the ruy, try the Italian ;) Its pretty similar, only that it gives white better attacking chances.

Avatar of rooperi

Play the Vienna, 2 Nc3

Avatar of Conquistador

I find it difficult in the Vienna to generate counterplay.  Most variations are quite boring actually.  It is way too easy to equalize as black.

Avatar of EternalChess

I been an e4 player all my life (well the 2 years i played chess), last week i switched to d4 because i was tired playing against sicilian.. and i love d4!!! try it :)

Avatar of zomgep

well this doesnt really fit the styles of caro kann and semi slav but i think the italian game is a good style :) also majority of the time you just need to know two knights (pretty aggressive) and the evens gambit (my favorite)

Avatar of Ricky_James_Fischer

Well 1.Nf3 is one of the most underated openings but one of the most useful. You can transpose to 7-10 different chess openings from 1.Nf3 including the sicilian! And if are in the mood for a quieter game, u can go for 2.c4, the english

, king's indian attack 2.g3 or even transpose to queen openings. What's more you can avoid sicilian and e4 e5 lines with this opening so its very useful in a practical sense. If even kramnik can use it regularly, why not us? Try it. Heres one variation of the reti, one of my favourite openings
Avatar of Scarblac

Aren't C-K and Semi-Slav complete opposites anyway?

Anyway, go like Kasparov and Carlsen -- try the Scotch.

Avatar of Paranoid-Android
Ricky_James_Fischer wrote:

Well 1.Nf3 is one of the most underated openings but one of the most useful.


I've also become fan of Nf3, I was playing only e4 and d4 at first, but some time ago I switched to playing Nf3 exclusively. I find the positions much more interesting and fun to play, pretty much every game can go in to unfamiliar positions (which is a nice change from playing d4).

Avatar of justjoshin

1.f4!

maybe try out bird's opening.

Avatar of chesscrazee

the torre attack is the best option

Avatar of Spiffe
tonydal wrote:

Yep, if you liked the C-K, you oughta like d4.  Plus you'll already know something about it with your Semi-Slav experience.


Yep, this is good advice.

Avatar of DastardlyFiend
Ricky_James_Fischer wrote:

Well 1.Nf3 is one of the most underated openings but one of the most useful. You can transpose to 7-10 different chess openings from 1.Nf3 including the sicilian! And if are in the mood for a quieter game, u can go for 2.c4, the english

, king's indian attack 2.g3 or even transpose to queen openings. What's more you can avoid sicilian and e4 e5 lines with this opening so its very useful in a practical sense. If even kramnik can use it regularly, why not us? Try it. Heres one variation of the reti, one of my favourite openings

I don't know... I'm not a good player or anything, but whenever my opponent plays 1.Nf3, it's like he/she is telling me, "you decide what kind of game we're going to play."

Avatar of DastardlyFiend
justjoshin wrote:

1.f4!

maybe try out bird's opening.


As a Ruy player, I can't suggest it. It sounds like you dig traditional stuff too much to really risk using the Bird. It's been my favorite opening for a year or so now, though. If you've never tried it, underestimated it, etc., it's really not as "unsound" as people would have you believe... I will agree that you have to know what you're doing though - it's like playing with fire.

But, at least you're playing to win!

Avatar of jdilley
tonydal wrote:

Yep, if you liked the C-K, you oughta like d4.  Plus you'll already know something about it with your Semi-Slav experience.


I find, however, that I do not understand the positions as quickly as in the Ruy.  Clearly due to lack of exposure.  

What is the best way of learning this opening?  

Avatar of Elubas
jdilley wrote:

I've been playing the Ruy Lopez as White since I started chess. but am finding that my results with it pale in comparison to my results as black.  I play the caro-kann and semi-slav exclusively as black.  Can anyone suggest a better white opening that follows those styles?


Based on what you play, I would guess 1 d4 would be good. But do you play the ruy with intentions for attacking or to gain an edge, or just because it's considered the best opening?

Avatar of pskogli

play both, 50% d4 and 50% e4, don't get stuck!

Avatar of Elubas
RainbowRising wrote:
tonydal wrote:

Yep, if you liked the C-K, you oughta like d4.  Plus you'll already know something about it with your Semi-Slav experience.


That feels so bizzare to me. I play the Caro-Kann vs e4 as black, and I hate playing d4 as white.


Rainbow I have no idea why you play 1...c6 if you like to attack. What lines do you play??

Avatar of Ricardo_Morro

Since you like the Caro-Kann, maybe you should try the underrated Saragossa opening: 1. c3. It is a deceptive and flexible beginning. I have beaten a master with it in a game for money and drawn a master with it in an over-the-board tournament.