generally you want to want to study tactics so you don't inadvertantly hang pieces, and so that you don't give up mate in a few, once you get above these basics you will be able to understand the openings you play
Taking my game to the next level
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Mar 19, 2012
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Be warned that many players of our level feel the urge to study openings in some depth (beyond understanding the general principles), but virtually all strong players tell us not to do so.
There must be a reason for that.
Openings are not the problem. Tactics are, for everyone rated under 1600. Then middlegame planning and endgame play are the problem, up to 2000-2200. When you have a FM icon near your name, the problem still lies mainly in the middlegame and endgame, but openings might admittely have a certain role too.
phunklesam wrote:
i post this in the "openings" section because i feel like my opening game is where i now need to shift my focus.
I would find this hard to believe considering your rating. You focus on openings when you start losing games as a direct result of your opening play, i.e. your opponents are gaining an advantage out of the opening and then carrying it allllllllll the way to the endgame, on a regular basis. This does not happen at your level.
A good idea would be to have a look through all your lost games and see if you can identify why you lost, or at least tacking a why-I-lost note on the end of your games from now on. After a period tally up the results - that's where you should focus your study. Identifying the exact reasons may be tricky in some instances, in which case we're here to help.
Dude I didn't read anything you said but your username is awesome.
haha word to being straight up ivan. phunkle sam is a local grateful dead cover band in my area that is surely as awesome as their name is.
thanks for the replies fellas..
i guess where i was going in regards to my opening game is that i wish to better plan ahead, positioning wise, so that the rest of my game is less reactionary and more aggressive. but i can see why my focus shouldn't be on studying the dark depths of openings, and should be more on tactics. i have only tried the tactics trainer once and it was awhile ago ... i'll give it another whirl and see where it takes me. and i've yet to use notes in my games! i shall start!
gracias todo el mundo!
After reviewing some of your games, tactics are what you need to work on. Every beginner should start with tactics, and e4 openings.
ha, i knew your name was a gd reference! didn't know it was a cover band, just put my love of phil's bass with good ol' uncle sam!
oye! chess homies and homegirls, as my first post on these forums, i have the following question:
how does one suggest taking my chess abilities to the next level? i am more serious about chess than just playing whenever i get the chance, so i am seeking input into how any of you graduated to the next tier of your game (maybe it was from a rating of 1000-1200 to a 1400-1600, or a 1400-1600 to a 1800-2000).
i post this in the "openings" section because i feel like my opening game is where i now need to shift my focus. my middle game and end game are easier for me because i feel like i am more of a reactionary player, seeking to thrive off my opponents moves in odd ways. this is my comfort zone and i want to break out of it. i want my opening game to mean more than just a kick off with no long term planning (this statement exaggerated for effect).
sorry if it seems i am naively undermining the time and dedication professional chess requires, by looking for a shortcut to getting to my next level, but i believe some of you good people might be able to point my studies in a more lucid direction.
furthermore, i am interested in paying for lessons if any type of master reading this lives relatively close to asheville, north carolina (<60-80 miles) and is interested in helping me in my journey.
any responses are very much appreciated, really!