Blueemu, I personally like the Chigorin. But against 1. Nf3,... I just play Nf6 and go where ever it leads. There's no guarantee of white playing d4. So, I think Nf6 is a stronger response.
Opening for white, intermediate level (1100 - 1600)
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Dec 5, 2024
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#23
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My advise... Stop trying to play like you are a GM. STOP thinking you have to play GM openings to win.
The Ruy Lopez is a very complex opening with disastrous tactics at every turn, for both sides. Varations galore. IT'S PAWN STRUCTURE is very complex ... Why take on opening that is way above one's ability to play it well?
I've seen the argument "two novice playing the Ruy Lopez just cancel each other out" ... True, but at the same time both are going to keep making the same mistakes over and over because the "HOW" TO PLAY the opening is way above them.
WHEN Most openings ARE viable and can be played well into being a titled player.
WHY PLAY something like the Spanish, the Sicilian Nadjorf etc.... you don't understand them all one does is flail... like rolling dice and hoping you get lucky!
If that is your chess ... rock on, not mine.
I'd find something that has a pawn structure that you can manage, learn what you should be doing with it, learn how your minor pieces interact with the pawn structure, learn the ways of using the pawn structure and the minor pieces to attack. Learn where the pawn structure is weak and how to use the minor pieces to defend those weakness.
I'd take something on that isn't complicated, how you opponent reacts , will complicate the game enouph. When you have tactics to study, middlegame concepts (pillsbury attack , Isolated pawn structures etc) and various endgame techniques... spending valuable time on an opening (that because of your skill level, you won't understand ) seems counter productive.
chessterd5 wrote:
Blueemu, I personally like the Chigorin. But against 1. Nf3,... I just play Nf6 and go where ever it leads. There's no guarantee of white playing d4. So, I think Nf6 is a stronger response.
Nothing wrong with 1...Nf6 of course, but I prefer 1...Nc6. One of the reasons i like it is if white plays 2. c4 black can play 2...e5 and enter a reversed sicilian of some sort or possibly some other interesting position. I remember there is a lot of theory after 2...e5 and all of it interesting. 
Scores very well, one of the highest of all white openings per database.
Also, very fun and trappy. Your opponent can easily be blown of the board playing “natural” moves.