I take it that you want to force a game with less tactical complications
Should I Play the Exchange Variation of the KID Against a Higher Rated Player?
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The Exchange Variation is fine if you like these kinds of queenless middlegames. If you are only playing it because your opponent is higher rated, then it's not a good idea.
Andre_Harding wrote:
The Exchange Variation is fine if you like these kinds of queenless middlegames. If you are only playing it because your opponent is higher rated, then it's not a good idea.
Yeah, then he's at a psychological disadvantage before the game even starts
Jun 30, 2011
0
#5
I don't mind queenless middlegames. I'm OK at tactics but sub-par at positional play. So I'm trying to figure out I getting the queens off the board will help me avoid getting squeezed.
Well, then taking off the queens seems like a bad idea if you're better than tactics than positional play. But more importantly, what would you play if your opponent was the same rating as you?
ChrisWainscott wrote:
I don't mind queenless middlegames. I'm OK at tactics but sub-par at positional play. So I'm trying to figure out I getting the queens off the board will help me avoid getting squeezed.
If you are better at tactics, I think you should try to keep queens on. The position after the trade isn't exactly boiling with tactics. If you're ok with drawing a higher-rated, you might think about castling, getting your B out, and using the d-file to exchange the Rs. Just my two cents...
Jun 30, 2011
0
#8
I'd be great with drawing. It's a seven round tournament with $1000 top prize for Class C. And it's one open section so I don't mind playing a bit conservatively.
7 rounds eh, do you know if have white 4 times or black?
In my view the exchange is marginally better for black (black has a fantastic spot for a knight on d4, black can play c6 so there's no d5 for white).
Typically a situation that a higher rated player will exploit.
Estragon wrote:
Never adjust your opening because of the opponent, particularly because of his rating.
Play the line you like the best, and have played the most. You will feel more comfortable and confident in those positions, and play better.
Neither should you adopt some strategy ahead of time, before the game has begun, of trying to exchange pieces. This is artificial and bad, and bound to lead you to ruin. It's based on fallacious reasoning: there is no evidence simplifying the game gives a lower-rated player any better chance of drawing or winning, and in fact since the higher-rated player is more likely to know his endings better, it may even hurt your chances as the underdog.
My old coach/mentor used to pressure me to play EVERY game as if I were playing the World Champion, whether it was a tournament game, postal, speed, blindfold, or casual in a bar or coffee shop. Ignore the opponent entirely - at higher levels, with experience, it may be possible to take advantage of a familiar opponent's weaknesses, but that is a nuance to be practiced AFTER you learn the game itself. Play the position, not the player.
+1
Good Advice!
I plan on playing 1. d4 for the first time starting tomorrow in an OTB tournament.
I know the KID OK for white since I play it as Black. It looks like my first round game will be against someone rated 300 or more points higher than I.
If they play the KID should I play the Exchange Variation?