Thanks for the answer. When should I Start to learn openings, or how many should I learn or let's say how much time should I invest learning them? Sometimes I get beat by someone quickly who obviously knows the first 10 lines or so, and I just think I need to learn that.
Chess opening
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Yes I read that good sir. Okay I will play slow games to get better 🙂
Dec 5, 2021
0
#4
First you should play game of longer time controls. Don't play 3 min games. You should play games with time controls of at least 15|10 (15 min each with a 10 add on for each move). That way you can actually think through your moves.
When it comes to the opening you don't need to know a specific opening (opening theory). You need to focus on the opening principles. As you have already deduced that players at your level don't play the correct moves in the opening. In the opening just follow the principles, and focus on not dropping pieces. That should be your main focus in the opening, and will be good enough till you approach the 1000 level (you can start at around the 900 level learning a little opening theory, but no more than the first 3 moves of you chosen opening). Here is a link for the opening principles: https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening
The main thing you need to focus on is tactics. The puzzles on this site are really good, but you only get 5 free a day. Lichess has tactics puzzles on their site were you can do unlimited for free. You are going to win and lose your games based on tactics, and not seeing tactics (blunders) at your level. practicing tactics also helps you improve your calculation ability. Here is a link to an article that has all the tactics in chess explained (you should focus on the basic ones which are pins, forks/double attacks, discovered attacks, skewers. Most advanced tactics are based on one or more of the basic tactics): https://www.chess.com/article/view/chess-tactics
The one other thing you should learn is the basics of endgames, and this will win you more games at your level then knowing the opening really well, and that is learning how to check mate with two queens vs king, two rooks vs king, queen and rook vs king, queen and king vs king, rook and king vs king. The other aspects of the game lead to this. If you can't convert your won position then it won't mean much. Here is a link to principle of the endgame: https://www.chess.com/article/view/chess-endgames
Here are some links on how to some of those basic checkmates:
https://www.chess.com/article/view/basic-checkmates-the-queen-dancehttps://www.chess.com/article/view/inch-by-inch-row-by-row
https://www.chess.com/article/view/basic-checkmates-king-and-rook-mate
I have only ever studied one opening and I have only played it in a thematic tournament never out in the wild. Studying openings introduces you to new ideas, but at lower levels you will mostly learn openings from your opponents playing something you're not prepared for and the engine telling you that has a name. So mostly focus on principles, tactics, endgames, and, if you have a favourite opening, on the ideas presented in annotated games.
Jonez32 wrote:
what do I do when my opponent doesn't play as expected even remotely? Do I just abandon the opening and follow general principles?
Yes!
At your rating you don't need to "study" openings. Just follow opening principles.
Use your study time to do tactics puzzles and to play.
Thank you guys so much, especially the long answer saying not to learn openings untile 1000 rating was the answer I was hoping for, you guys gave me the guidance I need. Thanks again
Chess Openings Resources for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/openings-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
Dec 6, 2021
0
#10
Hi! My name is Lauren Goodkind and I’m a respected chess coach and chess YouTuber based in California:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5SPSG_sWSYPjqJYMNwL_Q
Here’s some ideas to help you get better at the opening:
Just follow general principles, such as developing your knights and bishops out in the center and then castling.
It doesn't hurt to memorize specific openings, but don't expect your opponent to play the opening book lines.
-Also consider all checks and captures on your side and also your opponent’s side. Always as, “If I move here, where is my opponent going to move?”. Do this for every single move!
-Play with a slow time control, such as G/30 so you have plenty of time to think before every move.
I hope that this helps.
I used to play quick games (3mins each) then after every game check the opening with a database (chessbase or chess assistant for example).
After time I got to know the general plans and many tactical motif's that were common to specific openings...
I got to 2000 rating or so on ICC doing this kind of training when I was serious but now I am very much a casual player.
Just keep on playing and reviewing your opening and slowly but surely you improve and get a good feel for the positions that arise...
I found learning concrete variations from a book went in one ear and out the other...practical experience is definitely the best way to remember the variations because that experience really gets absorbed by your brain cells.
And please remember the opening is the opening and not the middlegame...you can't learn the middlegame by memory that's where your creativity and skill need to take over.
#1
"I try to look at some openings" ++ blunder prevention > tactics > endgames > openings
"the chances someone plays the openings as you learned them are slim to zero"
++ Yes, That is right: what you study does not happen and when it finally happens you will have forgotten what you have studied.
"The only reliable opening so far for white that I found is the danish Gambit"
++ Danish Gambit like most gambits is not reliable. Reliable are Queen's Gambit, London, Catalan, Ruy Lopez, Italian, Four Knights, Scotch, Vienna...
"what do I do when my opponent doesn't play as expected"
++ Think! Opening study only postpones the moment when you have to think of your own.
"Do I just abandon the opening and follow general principles?" ++ Always follow principles
"I need to study dozens of openings" ++ No, you only need to apply 4 principles.
#2
"When should I Start to learn openings" ++ after you become a grandmaster
"how many should I learn" ++ None at all, it is just ballast.
"how much time should I invest learning them?" None: your time is better spent playing, analysing, practicing tactics, studying endgames
"Sometimes I get beat by someone quickly who obviously knows the first 10 lines or so"
++ Think about your moves and you never lose in 10 moves.
"I just think I need to learn that." ++ No you do not need to learn, you need to think.
Hey guys, really new but fascinated with chess and its unlimited skill ceiling. Now that I am familiar with most of the chess basics, I try to look at some openings. To be honest I'm really frustrated and overwhelmed. It seems that the chances someone (real Player or bot) plays the openings as you learned them are slim to zero, even with all the variations you learn in tutorials (youtube, chess app etc). Also if I'm playing as black, it seems like most tutorials tell you the best moves for white kinda or am I misinterpreting stuff? The only reliable opening so far for white that I found is the danish Gambit kinda. I am aware that different openings apply more to different ratings, but still what do I do when my opponent doesn't play as expected even remotely? Do I just abandon the opening and follow general principles? It feels Like I need to study dozens of openings to really know what to do in the early game most of the time. How did you guys did it in your early days? Any thoughts?