Why do you think he is right about playing something other than e4? I would not agree with that advice. You're right to be spending more time learning tactics than openings. To switch from e4 to d4, and have any idea what you're doing, will require a LOT of work for small benefit.
What is the easiest plan to start opening with d4?
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If you want to play 1. d4 AND work on tactics, then you should consider the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. e4?! dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3?!). I use to play it to break up the monotony of 1. e4. I must warn you that this gambit is unsound, but it's very tricky and fun to play.
Also, you can consider the versatile 1. Nf3, which can transpose into a lot of things.
Talk a bit more about opening with Nf3. I love getting the knights out. How does this work? Do you put the other knight out next?
Head_Hunter, I am not a strong enough player to be getting into gambits or tricky stuff, even if it is fun. I am rated a little above 1000.
stwils
Spiffe wrote:
Why do you think he is right about playing something other than e4? I would not agree with that advice. You're right to be spending more time learning tactics than openings. To switch from e4 to d4, and have any idea what you're doing, will require a LOT of work for small benefit.
You may be right. He thought it would help me - perhaps broaden my game - at least enlarge my view of openings and playing.
I am a little reluctant to swith gears right now - my rating is a little above 1000 and I feel comfortable with the Ruy or at least with e4.
There is so much to learn.
Sigh...
stwils
If your rating is just above 1000 you should NOT be switching your openings. Stick with e4 for awhile.
I disagree with your friend, and agree with the majority of posters on this thread. You do NOT need to learn anything other than d4. That would just confuse things... Besides, players <1300 (site rating) need to focus much more on tactics (as you are) and they're actually better off not knowing any opening lines, but learning the opening principles. (Which I hope you know...)
1. d4 d5
2.c4
nice opening that gets your queen in relatively early; difficulty is it slows down time for the castle in some variations.
Spiffe wrote:
Why do you think he is right about playing something other than e4? I would not agree with that advice. You're right to be spending more time learning tactics than openings. To switch from e4 to d4, and have any idea what you're doing, will require a LOT of work for small benefit.
Learning how to play d4 can make all the difference!! I used to play e4 all the time when I was like 1000 but d4 can give you a very pleasant position. In fact, even at my level I usually get a two pawn or at least superior center! I recomend you add it to your repertoire and see how you like it. After 1 d4 d5, play 2 c4, and learn how to regain the pawn. The point is to play cxd5 and to follow up with a quick e4. If they play ...e6 or ...c6, play these moves: Nc3, Nf3, e3, Bd3, 0-0, and e4, which will probably give you a great position at your level. That's all you really need to know. It also avoids openings like the sicilian. Please try it.
Stick with e4 until you are rated 1800, then play d4. You'll have a better positional feel then. Plus, in my opinion, d4 is BORING!
H2oh wrote:
Play gambits. From each side, will teach you tactics. Queens gambit doesnt seem to be in the form of a true gambit. So pick another one. Tactics come from good positional play. So putting the cart before the horse will not work. Have to learn as you go. Find what you like to play and go with it. I say stick with 1.e4 . Might try to follow Steve Smiths ideas of what to play.
how about the wandering knight (it is good but does not involve d4)
Elubas wrote:
Spiffe wrote:
Why do you think he is right about playing something other than e4? I would not agree with that advice. You're right to be spending more time learning tactics than openings. To switch from e4 to d4, and have any idea what you're doing, will require a LOT of work for small benefit.
Learning how to play d4 can make all the difference!! I used to play e4 all the time when I was like 1000 but d4 can give you a very pleasant position. In fact, even at my level I usually get a two pawn or at least superior center! I recomend you add it to your repertoire and see how you like it. After 1 d4 d5, play 2 c4, and learn how to regain the pawn. The point is to play cxd5 and to follow up with a quick e4. If they play ...e6 or ...c6, play these moves: Nc3, Nf3, e3, Bd3, 0-0, and e4, which will probably give you a great position at your level. That's all you really need to know. It also avoids openings like the sicilian. Please try it.
Elubas, I like your plan for moves to play after d4. I'm going to work on them as I do think it will broaden my view to be able to at least play a bit of d4.
stwils
play as u like it day and night.Follow your heart and your instinsts will follow suit
stwils> I am a little reluctant to swith gears right now - my rating is a little above 1000 and I feel comfortable with the Ruy or at least with e4.
If your goal is improvement, switching from e4 to d4 now is a bad idea. Of course, if you simply enjoy opening study, as many enjoy reading historical chess anecdotes, then switching is a fine idea--it all depends on your goals.
torre attack is the best choice
Apr 10, 2009
0
#16
If you are good at playing e4 then stick with that. Rather than learning to play YOUR first move, you should learn to respond to your opponents first move.
But if you do want d4, then the most common things that are good are 1 d4 d5 2 c4.
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4. So C4 is generally a good second move
Apr 10, 2009
0
#17
As you get to higher, better chess, you may find that a lot of people play the Sicilian. If you are very uncomfortable with the Sicilian, then an alternate second move might be useful to know
killthequeen wrote:
As you get to higher, better chess, you may find that a lot of people play the Sicilian. If you are very uncomfortable with the Sicilian, then an alternate second move might be useful to know
What is the alternate second move against the Sicilian? Lots of people use that when I open with e4.
stwils
I disagree with this sole focus on tactics, just because said player is below a certain level. Now, I am no chess guru or even a strong player, but being a strong player is goal of mine. My approach is to study the entire game, and that includes some opening theory (but certainly not at the expense of tactics, position, strategy, endgame, and etc).
If you are not progressing with 1.e4 openings, then there is no reason not to play something else. You might learn more with 1.d4, or with something else. Find the body of opening theory that lets you focus on tactics and opening principles, not because of general rules that suggest that King's Pawn games are open and tactical. You can play the King's Gambit positionally, if you wish, so it is up to you to find what you are comfortable with.
1. Nf3 can transpose into any number of oppenings, almost anything realy, but typically becomes the barcza system with 2. g3 & 3. Bg2 or Reti's opening after 1... d5 2. c4 dxc 3. e3: I suggest you do not play it given your rating, but should you want to http://www.eudesign.com/chessops/reti-01b.htm
Against the sicilian you can just play 2.d3 and play the king's indian attack
I am an e4 opener. I don't think I ever played d4. But a friend of mine on this site whom I have played, suggested to me that it might be helpful if I learned something besides e4. And he is right.
So that is why I am going to try play d4.
What would be the best path to follow after d4? (I am not into learning a lot of openings right now as I need to spend my time on tactics. But I do think he is right that I should at least play something besides e4.)
Any suggestions would be wonderful.
stwils