I played the KIA as a beginner as well.
I used the 1.e4 move order.
I know a lot of people in thread has been mentioning the 1.Nf3 move order, but you don’t have to play it with Nf3.
You can play it with 1.e4 move order.
It is how Bobby Fischer played it.
Thank you for this explanation, it'll really come in handy later. So you suggested that I should just not really focus that much on opening theory until I reach 1800+? I'm just not really sure how I can reach 1800 without knowing any openings or playing any. What would you suggest?
Not going to speak for Thrillerfan, but he is obviously saying you can not play a series of moves against everything and expect the initiative out of the opening.
The KIA is a great "hub" to base your repertoire around. Nf3 is a very ambiguous, it let's you transpose to favorable lines ... (if you know your stuff.) You have to know when to play e4, or d4 or c4 (or some combination of)
Thank you for this explanation, it'll really come in handy later. So you suggested that I should just not really focus that much on opening theory until I reach 1800+? I'm just not really sure how I can reach 1800 without knowing any openings or playing any. What would you suggest?
Not going to speak for Thrillerfan, but he is obviously saying you can not play a series of moves against everything and expect the initiative out of the opening.
The KIA is a great "hub" to base your repertoire around. Nf3 is a very ambiguous, it let's you transpose to favorable lines ... (if you know your stuff.) You have to know when to play e4, or d4 or c4 (or some combination of)
Yes, you can start 1.Nf3 every game, but like you say about what I said prior, White cannot then say that no matter what "sensible" move Black plays, I will play g3, Bg2, O-O, d3, Nbd2, Re1, and e4, and expect anything.
Especially with flank openings like 1.Nf3 or my 2 favorites, 1.c4 and 1.b4, White must be flexible. One setup may call for a KIA (e4 and d3) while another may call for a Reti (c4 with ...d5 played by Black), English (c4 without ...d5 played, like 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4), or a Queen Pawn opening.
This is also why Beginners should play 1.e4 or 1.d4 as White. They follow principles, and don't typically intertwine with other openings.
With 1.c4, you may be forced into a Reti or Queen's Gambit (1.c4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 forces you into a Reti-type position with 3.e3 or a QP opening with 3.d4 or 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.d4 while if White does 2.Nf3, again, Reti with 3.b3 or 3.g3 or a Slav with 3.d4)
With 1.Nf3, you may not get a Reti as Black is not forced to play ...d5, so you may wind up in an English or QP Opening.
This high ratio of transpositions is why Flank openings should be reserved for advanced players, and not beginners.
Long story short - "Systems" don't work. The only move that can be deemed "automatic" is White's first move. You could go to a board and say to yourself "I will always play d4 on move 1 when I have White." Beyond White's first move, premeditated moves are useless.
"X opening is a draw because engines" is the stupidest argument I've ever heard. Are you stockfish? Is your opponent stockfish? The only requirements you should have at 1200 when picking an opening is
1. Does it instantly lose?
2. Do you enjoy playing positions that arise from the opening?
I've played 1.Nf3 followed by a KIA setup for a year and a half straight. I won most of my games. People prepped for me, it didn't matter. It didn't lose, and I enjoyed playing it.