TheNameofNames wrote:
play the philidor for white, and berlin for black
I'll give them a try. Thanks
Need 1 opening for White and 2 for Black (Against 1. e4 and 1. d4 - Beginner level)
Sort:
London for white, Caro-Kann against d4 and e4 for black
1_Dig-Bick wrote:
London for white, Caro-Kann against d4 and e4 for black
The Caro-Kann for 1.d4? I heard it can get black into trouble.
Talismyrealname wrote:
1_Dig-Bick wrote:
London for white, Caro-Kann against d4 and e4 for black
The Caro-Kann for 1.d4? I heard it can get black into trouble.
If opponent plays c4 next, then you can transpose into Slav with d5. if opponent plays e4 next, then it's still a Caro-Kann game. so, c6 works for both against d4 and e4. 
Yes, London 1 d4 2 Bf4 for white and Caro-Kann 1 e4 c6 and Slav Defence 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 for black make sense.
Nov 15, 2023
0
#7
Let’s analyse the options.
1) White. If you want open - go e4
If you want least theory - go for that double fianchetto nonsense an wait for the blunder in the middle game.
In perfect e4 you need an in-depth repertoire against: e5, scandi, french, caro, sicilian, hypermoderns, alekhine, ninzowitsch
In a cut-off theory e4 you need to learn only the e5 reply, scandi is cheeseable with opening principles for 56% win rate. Sicilian - play open, attack on the king side; survive on the queenside. Alternatively you can go for smith morra gambit which makes the game go around the center instead of opposite-side attacks.
Against French and caro you can learn one single strategy, 3. Nc3 is amazing for opening the game. Just play with logic there and cover the variations you have trouble with after the game. Hypermoderns - I really like the 150 attack setup. You can also employ it against dragon sicilian in the open(cutting back on study). Just trade that bishop and launch g4 h4
Against e5 there is like PLENTY of good options. I like the vienna gambit; bishop’s opening with Ne2 f4, center game Hall variation and the scotch game.
Black
Against e4
Options we have:
e5; scandi; sicilian; french; caro; alekhine; nimzowitsch; modern/pirc.
e5-obvious answer, altho is indeed hard to play if white knows what they are doing(they do, because 90% of their games are against e5) you will get struck by a new gambit every game.
Scandi - amazing option, if you know what you are doing you will easily demolish opponents who expect you to give checks with a queen. The most open thing is Bronstein scandi. You castle queenside and commit war crimes down the h file. Other option may be the kloosterbauer scandi but you know, gambits are a bit sus.
Sicilian - NO
French - white can force a closed game
Caro - same
Nimzowitsch - same
modern/pirc - boring and closed
Alekhine - idk, I’m really into the Alekhine right now. It is just fun to watch white’s face when his dominant c4 d4 e5 f4 center collapses into hanging pawns on move 7. The game opens really well, your pieces are amazingly placed; white’s center is weak and hanging.
So go for either e5 with some repertoire or study-cutting defences like the petroff; scandi or the alekhine.
Against d4
Open? Englund hartlaub charlick gambit
Like, there is no other option. This gambit has a monopoly on anti-d4 open games.
Now some 1700 will just ban me, but…grunfeld….. yes, it is hard to study, yes, it is hard to understand, but the game opens really well; if you know the main ideas you can actually play that. Win rates even on the lower levels where nobody knows what to do are somehow in black’s favour. That’s all I have for today
1) White. If you want open - go e4
If you want least theory - go for that double fianchetto nonsense an wait for the blunder in the middle game.
In perfect e4 you need an in-depth repertoire against: e5, scandi, french, caro, sicilian, hypermoderns, alekhine, ninzowitsch
In a cut-off theory e4 you need to learn only the e5 reply, scandi is cheeseable with opening principles for 56% win rate. Sicilian - play open, attack on the king side; survive on the queenside. Alternatively you can go for smith morra gambit which makes the game go around the center instead of opposite-side attacks.
Against French and caro you can learn one single strategy, 3. Nc3 is amazing for opening the game. Just play with logic there and cover the variations you have trouble with after the game. Hypermoderns - I really like the 150 attack setup. You can also employ it against dragon sicilian in the open(cutting back on study). Just trade that bishop and launch g4 h4
Against e5 there is like PLENTY of good options. I like the vienna gambit; bishop’s opening with Ne2 f4, center game Hall variation and the scotch game.
Black
Against e4
Options we have:
e5; scandi; sicilian; french; caro; alekhine; nimzowitsch; modern/pirc.
e5-obvious answer, altho is indeed hard to play if white knows what they are doing(they do, because 90% of their games are against e5) you will get struck by a new gambit every game.
Scandi - amazing option, if you know what you are doing you will easily demolish opponents who expect you to give checks with a queen. The most open thing is Bronstein scandi. You castle queenside and commit war crimes down the h file. Other option may be the kloosterbauer scandi but you know, gambits are a bit sus.
Sicilian - NO
French - white can force a closed game
Caro - same
Nimzowitsch - same
modern/pirc - boring and closed
Alekhine - idk, I’m really into the Alekhine right now. It is just fun to watch white’s face when his dominant c4 d4 e5 f4 center collapses into hanging pawns on move 7. The game opens really well, your pieces are amazingly placed; white’s center is weak and hanging.
So go for either e5 with some repertoire or study-cutting defences like the petroff; scandi or the alekhine.
Against d4
Open? Englund hartlaub charlick gambit
Like, there is no other option. This gambit has a monopoly on anti-d4 open games.
Now some 1700 will just ban me, but…grunfeld….. yes, it is hard to study, yes, it is hard to understand, but the game opens really well; if you know the main ideas you can actually play that. Win rates even on the lower levels where nobody knows what to do are somehow in black’s favour. That’s all I have for today
Nov 15, 2023
0
#8
Depends on what you want to open with, if you want to play 1.d4 then the London is a good choice with a simple to understand plan. If you want to go 1. e4 then a Vienna set up against almost anything is possible and would give you a good open game, plan is to play e4 g3 Bg3 Nc3 Nge2, no matter what black plays. Think it’s the Paulsen Variation of the Vienna, Robert Ramirez covers this in his YT channel.
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
lassus_dinnao wrote:
Let’s analyse the options.
1) White. If you want open - go e4
If you want least theory - go for that double fianchetto nonsense an wait for the blunder in the middle game.
In perfect e4 you need an in-depth repertoire against: e5, scandi, french, caro, sicilian, hypermoderns, alekhine, ninzowitsch
In a cut-off theory e4 you need to learn only the e5 reply, scandi is cheeseable with opening principles for 56% win rate. Sicilian - play open, attack on the king side; survive on the queenside. Alternatively you can go for smith morra gambit which makes the game go around the center instead of opposite-side attacks.
Against French and caro you can learn one single strategy, 3. Nc3 is amazing for opening the game. Just play with logic there and cover the variations you have trouble with after the game. Hypermoderns - I really like the 150 attack setup. You can also employ it against dragon sicilian in the open(cutting back on study). Just trade that bishop and launch g4 h4
Against e5 there is like PLENTY of good options. I like the vienna gambit; bishop’s opening with Ne2 f4, center game Hall variation and the scotch game.
Black
Against e4
Options we have:
e5; scandi; sicilian; french; caro; alekhine; nimzowitsch; modern/pirc.
e5-obvious answer, altho is indeed hard to play if white knows what they are doing(they do, because 90% of their games are against e5) you will get struck by a new gambit every game.
Scandi - amazing option, if you know what you are doing you will easily demolish opponents who expect you to give checks with a queen. The most open thing is Bronstein scandi. You castle queenside and commit war crimes down the h file. Other option may be the kloosterbauer scandi but you know, gambits are a bit sus.
Sicilian - NO
French - white can force a closed game
Caro - same
Nimzowitsch - same
modern/pirc - boring and closed
Alekhine - idk, I’m really into the Alekhine right now. It is just fun to watch white’s face when his dominant c4 d4 e5 f4 center collapses into hanging pawns on move 7. The game opens really well, your pieces are amazingly placed; white’s center is weak and hanging.
So go for either e5 with some repertoire or study-cutting defences like the petroff; scandi or the alekhine.
Against d4
Open? Englund hartlaub charlick gambit
Like, there is no other option. This gambit has a monopoly on anti-d4 open games.
Now some 1700 will just ban me, but…grunfeld….. yes, it is hard to study, yes, it is hard to understand, but the game opens really well; if you know the main ideas you can actually play that. Win rates even on the lower levels where nobody knows what to do are somehow in black’s favour. That’s all I have for today
1) White. If you want open - go e4
If you want least theory - go for that double fianchetto nonsense an wait for the blunder in the middle game.
In perfect e4 you need an in-depth repertoire against: e5, scandi, french, caro, sicilian, hypermoderns, alekhine, ninzowitsch
In a cut-off theory e4 you need to learn only the e5 reply, scandi is cheeseable with opening principles for 56% win rate. Sicilian - play open, attack on the king side; survive on the queenside. Alternatively you can go for smith morra gambit which makes the game go around the center instead of opposite-side attacks.
Against French and caro you can learn one single strategy, 3. Nc3 is amazing for opening the game. Just play with logic there and cover the variations you have trouble with after the game. Hypermoderns - I really like the 150 attack setup. You can also employ it against dragon sicilian in the open(cutting back on study). Just trade that bishop and launch g4 h4
Against e5 there is like PLENTY of good options. I like the vienna gambit; bishop’s opening with Ne2 f4, center game Hall variation and the scotch game.
Black
Against e4
Options we have:
e5; scandi; sicilian; french; caro; alekhine; nimzowitsch; modern/pirc.
e5-obvious answer, altho is indeed hard to play if white knows what they are doing(they do, because 90% of their games are against e5) you will get struck by a new gambit every game.
Scandi - amazing option, if you know what you are doing you will easily demolish opponents who expect you to give checks with a queen. The most open thing is Bronstein scandi. You castle queenside and commit war crimes down the h file. Other option may be the kloosterbauer scandi but you know, gambits are a bit sus.
Sicilian - NO
French - white can force a closed game
Caro - same
Nimzowitsch - same
modern/pirc - boring and closed
Alekhine - idk, I’m really into the Alekhine right now. It is just fun to watch white’s face when his dominant c4 d4 e5 f4 center collapses into hanging pawns on move 7. The game opens really well, your pieces are amazingly placed; white’s center is weak and hanging.
So go for either e5 with some repertoire or study-cutting defences like the petroff; scandi or the alekhine.
Against d4
Open? Englund hartlaub charlick gambit
Like, there is no other option. This gambit has a monopoly on anti-d4 open games.
Now some 1700 will just ban me, but…grunfeld….. yes, it is hard to study, yes, it is hard to understand, but the game opens really well; if you know the main ideas you can actually play that. Win rates even on the lower levels where nobody knows what to do are somehow in black’s favour. That’s all I have for today
Thank you! The explanation and reasoning for your opening recommendations make sense. 
2blackrooks wrote:
Depends on what you want to open with, if you want to play 1.d4 then the London is a good choice with a simple to understand plan. If you want to go 1. e4 then a Vienna set up against almost anything is possible and would give you a good open game, plan is to play e4 g3 Bg3 Nc3 Nge2, no matter what black plays. Think it’s the Paulsen Variation of the Vienna, Robert Ramirez covers this in his YT channel.
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
Puzzles, Puzzles, and more puzzles, seem to be, almost invariably, the way to improve my game. Aslassus_dinnao stated in a previous comment- Get out of the opening unscathed and capitalize on pattern recognition learned from a healthy dose of puzzles. I tend to burn too much time searching for the best move- every move. Understanding when the position is static vs dynamic will help once I've made it to the middle game unscathed. Thanks!
I purchased Jeremy Silman's "How to Reassess Your Chess" 4th Edition on a recommendation. The advice in this thread appears to be in line with a significant portion of what I've read so far. Has anyone heard of or read Silman? If so, how do you rank his teachings among the plethora of chess improvement bools?
Talismyrealname wrote:
I purchased Jeremy Silman's "How to Reassess Your Chess" 4th Edition on a recommendation. The advice in this thread appears to be in line with a significant portion of what I've read so far. Has anyone heard of or read Silman? If so, how do you rank his teachings among the plethora of chess improvement bools?
This is probably not relative to the topic. I may post as a new topic later on. Thank you all for the advise!!!
lassus_dinnao wrote:
forgot about budapest defence against queen's gambit, sorry
Much appreciated
White: e4 with Anti-Marshall Ruy Lopez, English Setup Open Sicilian, Exchange French, and Exchange Caro-Kann.
Black against d4: Grunfeld, Slav, or Tarrasch.
Black against e4: Taimanov Sicilian or Mieses-Kotrc Scandinavian.
Talismyrealname wrote:
I purchased Jeremy Silman's "How to Reassess Your Chess" 4th Edition on a recommendation. The advice in this thread appears to be in line with a significant portion of what I've read so far. Has anyone heard of or read Silman? If so, how do you rank his teachings among the plethora of chess improvement bools?
Silman's books are very highly regarded. I benefitted greatly from his The Amateurs Mind ... which is a more basic version of Reasses.
the london is quite a poor choice for long term improvement. If you are looking to improve past a certain level the london system is not fit for you. the games all start the same, its boring for both sides as what happens most of the times is that pieces just get traded down and nothing really happens. whites plans only really work if black never plays Qb6 and goes for something else, but playing hope chess is also not very great for improvement.
the caro kann is a decent option but its only issue is how cramped you are in the advance. or how sharp things can get in the fantasy. the caro often relys on a solid pawn structure and endgame play. it is known to be very passive but solid so do what you want with that information.
the slav is similar to the caro kann except its more sharper and whites pieces are placed differently. if you enjoy this then play it.
personally id recommend learning the french and building understanding off of it. the french got me from 700-1600 when i played alot. its very solid, counterattacking, and fun. if white decides to play the dreaded exchange variation then play the classical setup agianst it. it may also help if you learn common endgame patterns in the french defense to strengthen your play with it even more.
and against d4 i would recommend learning the classical queen gambit declined as its very principled and idea based. you learn alot from those games and it can really help you improve.
2blackrooks wrote:
Depends on what you want to open with, if you want to play 1.d4 then the London is a good choice with a simple to understand plan. If you want to go 1. e4 then a Vienna set up against almost anything is possible and would give you a good open game, plan is to play e4 g3 Bg3 Nc3 Nge2, no matter what black plays. Think it’s the Paulsen Variation of the Vienna, Robert Ramirez covers this in his YT channel.
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
i dont recommend people to just play some boring system every game as white and black because you will never learn or be exposed to any other position nor are you capitalizing on your first move advantage as white. As white you are supposed to give black a challenge, whether its with superior knowledge, better vision, sharper openings, etc... and instead you want to just give black an easy game because you are too scared to make a mistake in the opening.
you know what really makes somebody improve fast? learning from their mistakes. if you choose to avoid that by playing some silly system where you give up your center, space advantage, and initiative just so you dont have to worry about making a mistake is rubbish.
Do better.
AngryPuffer wrote:
2blackrooks wrote:
Depends on what you want to open with, if you want to play 1.d4 then the London is a good choice with a simple to understand plan. If you want to go 1. e4 then a Vienna set up against almost anything is possible and would give you a good open game, plan is to play e4 g3 Bg3 Nc3 Nge2, no matter what black plays. Think it’s the Paulsen Variation of the Vienna, Robert Ramirez covers this in his YT channel.
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
i dont recommend people to just play some boring system every game as white and black because you will never learn or be exposed to any other position nor are you capitalizing on your first move advantage as white. As white you are supposed to give black a challenge, whether its with superior knowledge, better vision, sharper openings, etc... and instead you want to just give black an easy game because you are too scared to make a mistake in the opening.
you know what really makes somebody improve fast? learning from their mistakes. if you choose to avoid that by playing some silly system where you give up your center, space advantage, and initiative just so you dont have to worry about making a mistake is rubbish.
Do better.
I understand, and I will take into consideration the Vienna as an alternate to the London for a more aggressive approach and take it from there. Thank you.
AngryPuffer wrote:
2blackrooks wrote:
Depends on what you want to open with, if you want to play 1.d4 then the London is a good choice with a simple to understand plan. If you want to go 1. e4 then a Vienna set up against almost anything is possible and would give you a good open game, plan is to play e4 g3 Bg3 Nc3 Nge2, no matter what black plays. Think it’s the Paulsen Variation of the Vienna, Robert Ramirez covers this in his YT channel.
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
For black then a Philidor set up can be played against anything really as with the Modern/Pirc can, you just need to make sure your move order is correct. At the end of the day the most important thing is to get out of the opening unscathed and start playing chess. Also do strategy puzzles, this will help you no end and think when making moves ‘can I check, capture or threat’ when looking at moves and visa versa when the opponent moves , are they threatening to Check capture or threat . Another decent tactic is if your up a piece then look to simplify the position by exchanging material
i dont recommend people to just play some boring system every game as white and black because you will never learn or be exposed to any other position nor are you capitalizing on your first move advantage as white. As white you are supposed to give black a challenge, whether its with superior knowledge, better vision, sharper openings, etc... and instead you want to just give black an easy game because you are too scared to make a mistake in the opening.
you know what really makes somebody improve fast? learning from their mistakes. if you choose to avoid that by playing some silly system where you give up your center, space advantage, and initiative just so you dont have to worry about making a mistake is rubbish.
Do better.
Regarding your take on the Caro-Kann-
Yes, the Advance Variation is quite claustrophobic. Recently, the Advance, Botvinnik-Carls line 3...c5 has been more enjoyable for me than 3... Bf5.
The Caro-Kann Main Line is where I have the most fun going for the Tartakower Variation.
The game becomes dynamic , my King is safe , and opponent's moves are generally predictable.
However, the Tartakower's pawn structure gets me in a load of trouble if I allow for an end game!
I have to put on my big boy pants for the mate; pushing my own agenda-
I'm studying and working on this concept with Jeremy Silman's book, "How to Reassess Your Chess",
I was thinking an open with least theory/lines would suit my style.