I'm helping out a few beginners, and they like to play. I can't tell them: stop playing and start studying. They need to do both.
The problem with their play, however, is that they are so far behind by the 3rd or 4th move, they have no chance of getting anywhere near to a middle game where they have chances.
So -- yes, yes, we all know the potential problems with "systems" -- I think the following quote is a good one:
"There are positives and negatives to such an approach. Firstly it takes a lot of the opening work out of chess, and if you use that time studying the end or middle-game, I'd say it's a better use of your time than learning every possible variation after e4-e5. Another advantage is that systems are usually very very solid, and that's why they can be used against almost anything."
So, that said, what do folks think of showing a simple system to a semi-beginner? I stumbled across this one and I kinda like it -- thoughts?
Basically the "system" is for white to try to play d4, Nf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0 (yes, yes, he has to adjust against some black moves, but that's the main idea. E.g., if black plays 4...c5 then white 5. e3, etc). You don't have to watch the actual video -- you can see the position in the graphic below. (But do watch the video if you want to know which variations white needs to do depending on black's response)
Thoughts?
Again, I'm very intrigued at showing my semi-beginner acquaintances this *while* they are learning other parts of the game. But I don't want to mess them up!
Thoughts?
The problem with your system is that it leads nowhere. What do they do next after following your defined movelist?
GM Aman Hambleton has been demonstrating a system in his shows over the last several weeks. He has a simple list of rules to follow. It emphasizes development, trading pieces, castling, etc.
First, he had a set of rules to get players up to a 500 rating.
Then he added more rules to help get them up to 1000.
He demonstrates game after game how he is following the rules. Occasionally, they lead him into trouble but they work more often than they fail.
I'm helping out a few beginners, and they like to play. I can't tell them: stop playing and start studying. They need to do both.
The problem with their play, however, is that they are so far behind by the 3rd or 4th move, they have no chance of getting anywhere near to a middle game where they have chances.
So -- yes, yes, we all know the potential problems with "systems" -- I think the following quote is a good one:
"There are positives and negatives to such an approach. Firstly it takes a lot of the opening work out of chess, and if you use that time studying the end or middle-game, I'd say it's a better use of your time than learning every possible variation after e4-e5. Another advantage is that systems are usually very very solid, and that's why they can be used against almost anything."
So, that said, what do folks think of showing a simple system to a semi-beginner? I stumbled across this one and I kinda like it -- thoughts?
Basically the "system" is for white to try to play d4, Nf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0 (yes, yes, he has to adjust against some black moves, but that's the main idea. E.g., if black plays 4...c5 then white 5. e3, etc). You don't have to watch the actual video -- you can see the position in the graphic below. (But do watch the video if you want to know which variations white needs to do depending on black's response)
Thoughts?
Again, I'm very intrigued at showing my semi-beginner acquaintances this *while* they are learning other parts of the game. But I don't want to mess them up!
Thoughts?