Not so much the opening it's really more the mid game learning openings is more about playing what works with your style until gm or super gm level
Agreed.
Your only important job in the opening is to reach a middle-game position in which you feel comfortable and confident.
That's it.
... I just happen to feel comfortable and confident in crazy Najdorf positions. You might not. Different strokes for different folks.
Many people think theory is the way; they are wrong. If you are gonna memorise theory, do it at 2200-2400 rapid online or 2100 classical OTB. A few book moves is all you need.
Even at the 2100, or at the 2400, blunders happen. Take your last game as an example, you blundered a full rook, whole a rook, with a few seconds of thinking. Think more, blunder less. For example, if u have two lined pieces, make sure they can't be forked, skewered, pinned (that leads to a material gain) or captured.
Also, calculate if you are trying to attack to see if it works.
I think that the advice of "don't waste your time studying theory" is quite frankly trite, and overused. Once you reach a decent level, i.e., where you don't hang pieces every other move, and positional play becomes an important factor in deciding the game, opening theory can become very useful: a superior grasp on the opening than your opponent can allow you get a comfortable position out of the opening, which can improve your winning chances significantly. This doesn't mean that you have to memorize 40 moves of Najdorf theory, but having a good handle of the opening, can go a long way.
This is precisely how GM Avetik reached 3000 elo on chess.com (source: https://chessmood.com/blog/crossing-the-plateau-and-reaching-3000-on-chess-com).
Not so much the opening it's really more the mid game learning openings is more about playing what works with your style until gm or super gm level
It depends. In my last OTB tournament, there were multiple games where knowledge of opening theory was critical to the result of the game. But that was because I was playing some very theoretical openings. If you're playing the hippo, on the other hand, you probably ought to forgo studying concrete lines, and to study middlegames instead.
I'm talking more about online rapid and blitz but otb 100% openings are important but it's really more style of play for most people and knowing a bit of everything helps
Not so much the opening it's really more the mid game learning openings is more about playing what works with your style until gm or super gm level
It depends. In my last OTB tournament, there were multiple games where knowledge of opening theory was critical to the result of the game. But that was because I was playing some very theoretical openings. If you're playing the hippo, on the other hand, you probably ought to forgo studying concrete lines, and to study middlegames instead.
I'm talking more about online rapid and blitz but otb 100% openings are important
Arguably, openings are even more important in blitz chess, because you don't have the time to figure out what to play. E.g., in something like the wing gambit of the Sicilian, if you don't know what to do, you're probably going to be more in trouble in a blitz game, than in a classical game, due to the tricky nature of the opening.
Not so much the opening it's really more the mid game learning openings is more about playing what works with your style until gm or super gm level
It depends. In my last OTB tournament, there were multiple games where knowledge of opening theory was critical to the result of the game. But that was because I was playing some very theoretical openings. If you're playing the hippo, on the other hand, you probably ought to forgo studying concrete lines, and to study middlegames instead.
I'm talking more about online rapid and blitz but otb 100% openings are important
Arguably, openings are even more important in blitz chess, because you don't have the time to figure out what to play. E.g., in something like the wing gambit of the Sicilian, if you don't know what to do, you're probably going to be more in trouble in a blitz game, than in a classical game, due to the tricky nature of the opening.
I just played whatever I want and win anyway as long as I don't blunder in the opening it doesn't matter the position unless your playing against 2800+ and even then the bong cloud works if you play it a certain way....
Not so much the opening it's really more the mid game learning openings is more about playing what works with your style until gm or super gm level
It depends. In my last OTB tournament, there were multiple games where knowledge of opening theory was critical to the result of the game. But that was because I was playing some very theoretical openings. If you're playing the hippo, on the other hand, you probably ought to forgo studying concrete lines, and to study middlegames instead.
I'm talking more about online rapid and blitz but otb 100% openings are important
Arguably, openings are even more important in blitz chess, because you don't have the time to figure out what to play. E.g., in something like the wing gambit of the Sicilian, if you don't know what to do, you're probably going to be more in trouble in a blitz game, than in a classical game, due to the tricky nature of the opening.
In blitz it's more about understanding how to play it rather the theory though which typically means just playing whatever suits your style
And if you don't well then time to lose against 800s that know therory :/
But it's actually pretty easy to get comfortable positions typically
Not so much the opening it's really more the mid game learning openings is more about playing what works with your style until gm or super gm level
It depends. In my last OTB tournament, there were multiple games where knowledge of opening theory was critical to the result of the game. But that was because I was playing some very theoretical openings. If you're playing the hippo, on the other hand, you probably ought to forgo studying concrete lines, and to study middlegames instead.
I'm talking more about online rapid and blitz but otb 100% openings are important
Arguably, openings are even more important in blitz chess, because you don't have the time to figure out what to play. E.g., in something like the wing gambit of the Sicilian, if you don't know what to do, you're probably going to be more in trouble in a blitz game, than in a classical game, due to the tricky nature of the opening.
In blitz it's more about understanding how to play it rather the theory though which typically means just playing whatever suits your style
And if you don't well then time to lose against 800s that know therory :/
But it's actually pretty easy to get comfortable positions typically
Well, it depends on the opening. Especially as black, getting a decent position against someone who knows their openings, takes some theoretical knowledge. But in principle, you get away with a lot more in blitz than in classical.
Once you are above 2000, you need to be very consistent with your chess routine. Play a lot of different openings to improve your middlegame. Don't stay focused on just one line. Hire a coach. That helps too. Solve less puzzles, but instead work on positional exercises from the library
Many people think theory is the way; they are wrong. If you are gonna memorise theory, do it at 2200-2400 rapid online or 2100 classical OTB. A few book moves is all you need.
Even at the 2100, or at the 2400, blunders happen. Take your last game as an example, you blundered a full rook, whole a rook, with a few seconds of thinking. Think more, blunder less. For example, if u have two lined pieces, make sure they can't be forked, skewered, pinned (that leads to a material gain) or captured.
Also, calculate if you are trying to attack to see if it works.
I think that the advice of "don't waste your time studying theory" is quite frankly trite, and overused. Once you reach a decent level, i.e., where you don't hang pieces every other move, and positional play becomes an important factor in deciding the game, opening theory can become very useful: a superior grasp on the opening than your opponent can allow you get a comfortable position out of the opening, which can improve your winning chances significantly. This doesn't mean that you have to memorize 40 moves of Najdorf theory, but having a good handle of the opening, can go a long way.
You are correct, but in 2100, theory is not really that needed. That's what I tried to tell in my post, you still need to learn theory at 2100, but only 10 moves is enough. 2100 is like the last level that nasty blunders and traps happen. After that, you will gonna need theory indeed. Focusing more on tactical play rather than positional play is a better strategy at 2100, though (atleast that's what I think, everyone has their own styles and I can't prove them wrong).
But I'm a 1200, so... Probably you shouldn't get advices from me.
Anyway, have a good day sir.
Thanks for the posts everyone. I plan to today @blueemu, school has been kicking my butt. I appreciate all the thoughts about opening theory, and I am inclined to agree with Mr. Hegel. Plus I like learning theory anyways. I appreciate all the other thoughts given, I will be spending some time today looking into each of them.
One other question I have for the community, when should I shift away from Rapid? I've always liked it better than the other time controls. However, I'm starting to enter the territory where it's not played nearly as much and finding an opponent gets harder. (I also believe this is when cheaters become more prominent again, but please do not debate this I want the forum to remain open and I only mention it out of integrity since I do legitimately think about that). Thanks!
hello
One other question I have for the community, when should I shift away from Rapid? I've always liked it better than the other time controls.
My opinion:
Play some assortment of time controls that offers you (a) fun and (b) learning opportunities.
If you enjoy playing Rapid, then you should continue to play SOME Rapid. Just for enjoyment. Below Master level, your best personal resource for improving your chess isn't strategic insight or accurate calculation... it's your own enjoyment of the game. That's what keeps you working at improving. Without the fun, you might drift away from the game. So keep having fun.
For improvement, I found Daily Chess to be excellent. Especially if you enjoy Theory.
My best Daily game, from the Malaysia vs Canada rated match. Twenty-seven moves of insanely obscure theory, followed by a prepared novelty on move 28.
Thanks. I don't love Daily for some reason, probably because I get my butt handed to me all the time, which indicates it's a good place to learn. Any thoughts on transitioning to Blitz? Since the player pool is larger?
Thanks. I don't love Daily for some reason, probably because I get my butt handed to me all the time, which indicates it's a good place to learn. Any thoughts on transitioning to Blitz? Since the player pool is larger?
I'm 68 years old and nearly blind. Blitz is NOT a game for me.
So I can't really offer useful advice.
Thanks. I don't love Daily for some reason, probably because I get my butt handed to me all the time, which indicates it's a good place to learn. Any thoughts on transitioning to Blitz? Since the player pool is larger?
Depends on your playing style it can help some people so experimenting with it might help
Not so much the opening it's really more the mid game learning openings is more about playing what works with your style until gm or super gm level
It depends. In my last OTB tournament, there were multiple games where knowledge of opening theory was critical to the result of the game. But that was because I was playing some very theoretical openings. If you're playing the hippo, on the other hand, you probably ought to forgo studying concrete lines, and to study middlegames instead.