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

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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?

tornadofdoom

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

master_in_panama

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

rooperi

Play the Vienna, 2 Nc3

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.

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 :)

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)

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
Scarblac

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

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

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).

justjoshin

1.f4!

maybe try out bird's opening.

chesscrazee

the torre attack is the best option

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.

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."

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!

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?  

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?

pskogli

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

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??

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.