Trouble with QG
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jtmccann15
Aug 9, 2020
0
#1
I just started learning this opening and I’ve been having trouble getting to the middle/end game with good positions...in most of the variations I end up playing. Ive learned a few “traps”, but when black plays other moves that don’t set up a great tactic then I typically end up giving black a good position that I’m forced to try to improve and salvage a win. Any advice?
Traps doesn't work anymore? Then it's time to actually learn the opening. Focus on the key ideas such as the minority attack. Be sure to know typical QG pawn structures and general plans (for both sides) in each of them. Get a book on the QG if you feel that videos and online courses are less than sufficient.
Aug 10, 2020
0
#3
Lol...learn the opening. Good advice. As you’ve instructed I have been learning theory and main ideas for the past few hours. Seems endless...I’m relatively new to studying opening theory in any form it’s a lot to take in. Any advice on specific sources? Are you familiar with Hanging Pawns YouTube channel? So far I like his QGD videos a lot. He seems incredibly informative, but he’s not a titled player so I’m slightly iffy about devoting so much time to his videos. Thoughts?
jtmccann15 wrote:
Lol...learn the opening. Good advice. As you’ve instructed I have been learning theory and main ideas for the past few hours. Seems endless...I’m relatively new to studying opening theory in any form it’s a lot to take in. Any advice on specific sources? Are you familiar with Hanging Pawns YouTube channel? So far I like his QGD videos a lot. He seems incredibly informative, but he’s not a titled player so I’m slightly iffy about devoting so much time to his videos. Thoughts?
I'm not a fan of chess videos in general, and honestly I've never watched Hanging Pawns. What I can say is that videos, even the best ones, are much less informative than a decent book. It's like a three-minute news vid versus a 5,000-word NY Times longform article. Videos are for fun and visual engagement; books are for careful study. Take what you want.
Here's a thread I found about QG books: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/queens-gambit
Aug 11, 2020
0
#6
Thanks to everyone for their input. So to be clear...by “learning this opening” in my OP I mostly meant playing it over and over and learning by trial and error. But yeah...its time to truly study the opening. I’ll buy a book thanks for the list. Hanging Pawns QGD series has individual 20 minute videos for 11 different variations I’ll go ahead and watch them all as well. Even if he’s not a titled player I’m sure there’s still plenty of good info in there.
Aug 11, 2020
0
#7
Pfren do you have any recommendations on sources for beginner level QG/QGD?
pfren wrote:
jtmccann15 έγραψε:
Pfren do you have any recommendations on sources for beginner level QG/QGD?
Sadler's QGD book, of course. Get a copy from whenever you can at a reasonable price- it is one of the best opening books ever written.
https://everymanchess.com/products/queens-gambit-declined
It is not "beginner's level" but it is easy to read and understand, even for beginners.
Let's say you had a bright 10-year old rated 1800 or so. Would you have him read and study Sadler's book? If yes, how long would you think it would take for your student to finish the book in it's entirety? In total hours as a guess?