London system and Colle-zuckertort springs to mind.
English opening - accelerated fianchetto might be something too.
Most d4 openings are quiet and tend not to explode in ones face.
If you like e4 then maybe vienna game might be something. :D
Good luck with building your repertoire. =)
as White, play 1 d4 (closed games) and learn openings like queen's gambit and london system
as Black, it's hard to say cos White may play 1 e4 or 1 d4. Against 1 d4 u can probably play nimzo-indian: solid and reliable, against 1 e4 u can play french defense: annoying and safe
bonne chance!
What’s the fun in quiet openings? :P
I just wanted to say first of all, that you need to be careful with quiet openings. I can understand not wanting the tactical firefights you see in some uber-sharp variations, but keep in mind that there IS a difference between quiet and passive. The truth is, it is *very* easy to go from quiet to passive without even realizing it, which is why I prefer more aggressive lines. Anyway, some of the quieter openings I’d suggest include:
White
King’s Indian Attack – The build-up is slower and this system can be used against many Black set-ups. It would certainly reduce the number of openings you would need to know. Of course, the KIA isn’t optimal against every defense, but I believe that it leads to a reasonable middlegame in most cases.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack – If I’m not mistaken, this opening leads to “equality at best” for White or something like that. But it should be pointed out that there are few openings that are unplayable below master level. In any event, the Nimzo-Larsen is a reasonable choice, in my opinion, and is probably something that few players prepare for.
Black
Petroff Defense – It’s not always the boring symmetrical 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d3 Nf6, but I know few openings that can lead to play as consistent as in the Petroff (except when your opponent plays the Cochrane Gambit (4.Nxf7)). Personally, I consider the Caro-kann and French to be quiet as well, although there are some interesting gambits and other unorthodox sidelines in those openings.
Queen’s Indian Defense – Similar to the Petroff, except for Black. Also has a drawish reputation, although as always, there is room for creativity and maneuvering.
Thanks for the advice.
I am going to try the suggestions, in particular for white, English opening and King's Indian attack and Nimzo-Indian for black, altough I prefer to stay flexible when playing with black and react to white's strategy rather than follow a specific opening.
After some research I also like Ruy Lopez and Scoth game for white, altough they get the action started fairly quick, and Sicilian defence for black against e4.
As a note, you said you didn't want to devote a lot of time to memorizing moves, but the Nimzo is an incredibly theoretical and tactical line that has been deeply analyzed. For a more solid system against 1. d4, try the classical QGD or the Semi-Slav, which are more based on positional ideas than tactical lines.
It looks like you're doing quite fine with the ruy lopez already. Any reason you want to switch that?
Hm.....I feel like a bunch of the openings you picked are tactical, deeply theorietical in nature :P the Sicilian, RL and Scotch all are. Caro-Kann and Pirc are alternatives as black against e4. If you really want to play e4, probably a Four Knights or Italian. As a note, I'm not saying the others are bad, but they don't seem to fit into your requests
Norphin you are right but at my level of play my opponents do not have the theoretical knowledge to take advantage of my deviations from book moves. Nimzo does look overly theoretical so I might avoid that. I've had alot of success with the Sicilian altough I might not follow the lines correctly past the first few moves.
I will check out the QG Declined and Semi-Slav for 1. d4, and Pirc and Carlo-kann for 1. e4, you recomended. Any suggestions for queen pawn opening for white?
bjazz I am happy with Ruy Lopez for e4 but found black can often avoid complex middlegame by trading down which I do not like. Also, black can avoid Ruy Lopez (by playing Sicilian for eg).
I am trying to learn and put to practice d4 openings as most of the players at my level face 1. e4. in fact I dont think I've ever played against d4 on Chess.com. It doesn not hurt to know both, especially as a suprise tactic.
Also I think my first post was misunderstood. I definately do not like boring games and have never played to a draw( yet), I just prefer to start slow as I like to avoid trading until I mount a strategy for attack (as I prefer the middle game). In fact, I like an exciting game with a big bang but only when I decide to let the firework off :P
Hi guys,
I am an intermediate player that has never focused on openings. I don't plan on devoting too much time to memorizing moves but would like to have a solid opening repertoire with sound knowledge of the first few moves, which can get me on the right track to the middle game.
I am not sure what my chess style is but I prefer somewhat quiet play, concentrating on a subtle attacking strategy, waiting for my opponent to make a mistake, capitalise and put my own attack into motion. I prefer taking this advantage in the middlegame, which I feel is my strong point.
Any recommendations on openings that would benefit a player of my caliber and style?