You might have to do that if you've been following lines without understanding them. A better approach is probably to use the suggested moves as candidate moves. If you genuinely don't understand the purpose of a move then don't play it. A less popular move that you understand the purpose of makes more sense since you'll have at least some idea of a plan to take you into the middlegame. Those % numbers are very seductive and I've tripped over them a few times myself but that's not really chess, is it?
Goodbye to Opening Explorer?
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Apr 13, 2014
0
#3
It had not occured to me to use that database in cc. If lots of people do, maybe that is why I can't seem to improve. It would be nice to safely get into the middle game without unnecessary thought. Thanks, guys!
Apr 14, 2014
0
#4
@flatters1: Based on my experience, I would say at least 1/2 of all players commonly use the database. But like @baddogno says, playing moves you don't understand will only get you so far. However, it does let you know what the candidate moves are.
I was in an online tournament, and after awhile I felt that using the Game Explorer felt like cheating to me (it's not cheating). I still used it for some of the games because I knew it was legal, and I didn't want to give up any advantages. In a few games, it was obvious that both of us were using the Game Explorer, and, in one game in particular, we both used the database through something like 19 moves. At this point, I felt like I was no longer playing chess: I was just a numbers cruncher.
IMO the Game Explorer is useful for those who really love the ideas behind old school correspondence chess, but is more likely used by those who are not confident with openings and use it as a crutch.
Apr 14, 2014
0
#6
if you keep making the "best moves" in opening explorer
you risk being in a bad position. cause you play without a plan
after game explorer runs out of moves you don't know what you are trying to do with the previous moves.
it is better to come up with a plan and select the moves that work together with your plan even if the moves may say that white or black isn't doing that well statistically.
having a bad plan is better than having no plan.
I've been a member here for 3 years and have regularly used Opening Explorer in my correspondence chess games. I feel like it has given me a good idea of the candidate moves for the opening, but I have only limited insight into the transition into the middle game.
Has anybody given up Opening Explorer and what were the results?
I want to go "cold turkey" but it is hard to break the habit. I'm convinced it will be more useful to play only moves I understand, instead of playing moves that are statistically best for master players.