Middle game themes, maneuvers and patterns

When I play a oppening I know I can play better because I know some 'trickys'. I'm dont talking about 'tactical trickys', but postional trikycs. For example, when someone play sicilian defence he know moves like Nd7-e5-c4 forking bishop and queen and attacking  b2 pawn. I king-indian-like positions the players know some trikycs with Nd7-c5 together a5 move avoiding b4 push.

One of ways to study oppening is study the natural squares for each piece and common maneuvers, with some deep study one can study common endgames and common attacks.

But, that situtations a player are just imitating. What about own ideas? Is chess played better by people who has better creativity? How develop creativity? How understand and play foregeing oppenings positions? 

When I play against modern benoni I feel like my opponent is a genius, playing too smart moves, and I dont know anwers all trickys and maneuvers, but I know I can study white answers and play better. But, is chess just that? A fight with who better study the postions he play?

Play Chess 960 if studying is a burden. Yes he who study more in standard chess have the advantage.