playing against unfamiliar opening - what then - Chess Forums

monosaurus

Jul 30, 2014

0

#1

hi all

learning chess and stuck on what is the general approach to handling an opponent who just played an opening which you are not familiar with.

stick with general principles - eg center control, minor pieces, castle etc?

take a defensive approach..i.e. let opponent dictate game, try to counter the attacks ?

thanks in advance

jacqueshester

Jul 30, 2014

0

#2

What I recommend is 1. Learning some openings like the English that you can default on no matter what, and is generally effective against any possible openings regardless of what the opponent does. In general, develop all your pieces, and you don't want to move the same piece more than once within the first 12 moves unless necessary. Strive for center control, but AVOID OVEREXTENDING especially as black. Castling is often good because you don't have to worry about your king for a while. Hope that helps!

By the way I'm starting to do some opening videos on my channel if you want to learn some, or look at chess.coms opening book!

monosaurus

Jul 31, 2014

0

#3

Thanks so much for the feed back

Returnofcookiemonster

Jul 31, 2014

0

#4

pmonov wrote:

hi all

learning chess and stuck on what is the general approach to handling an opponent who just played an opening which you are not familiar with.

stick with general principles - eg center control, minor pieces, castle etc?

take a defensive approach..i.e. let opponent dictate game, try to counter the attacks ?

thanks in advance

what i heard about playing unconventional openings, like my chess coach said is make basic fundamental moves. develop your pieces fight for the center, place your pieces on correct squares and play which side u need to play on. queen center or queen.

Returnofcookiemonster

Jul 31, 2014

0

#5

returnofxpchesser wrote:

pmonov wrote:

hi all

learning chess and stuck on what is the general approach to handling an opponent who just played an opening which you are not familiar with.

stick with general principles - eg center control, minor pieces, castle etc?

take a defensive approach..i.e. let opponent dictate game, try to counter the attacks ?

thanks in advance

what i heard about playing unconventional openings, like my chess coach said is make basic fundamental moves. develop your pieces fight for the center, place your pieces on correct squares and play which side u need to play on. queen center or king.

sorry made a mistake

cornbeefhashvili

Jul 31, 2014

0

#6

Grab a foothold in the center and connect your rooks by no later than move 10 - this would force you to develop fast.