The best thing you can do is learning openings while playing. For example: bots often play the same opening lines which makes it easier to master specific openings. Personally, I even went SO FAR that I won against a bot in… I think 21 moves with 100% accuracy just by pure, repeating opening memorization and a little bit intuition - I can send you proof if you wish. The analysis board is a alternative of course, even though it’s less effective and a bit harder to remember since there is no direct practice after you studied and the fact that you have to move with both sides increases the effort. BUT you can study anything you want on the analysis board, so it’s not a bad option. Personally, I still have some problems with black openings. I DID some opening studying from the black side in the last few weeks and YES my knowledge definitely expanded a bit for sure but there’s still a big hole. So yes. I am working on openings at the time and I don’t think it’s a bad suggestion. Well, I am not sure about the part "Opponents don’t try opening traps anymore" (At least at my level). I think almost nobody studies openings at my strength because everyone says openings doesn’t matter at this level. If you have a great opening knowledge at my level, you definitely got a big advantage. But that’s one of the things that make me stronger I guess. Openings get more important when you get stronger but overall I definitely agree.
Spend MORE TIME on Openings
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Ansh_Power wrote:
the usual 20-40-40 rule is outdated
Never heard of this rule and boom: it is outdated
Mar 10, 2026
0
#6
Ahhh no, I know very little about openings I play out to say 4 or 5 moves. In fact cannot even tell you their known names. After that just playing chess. If you are hanging or dropping pieces in the opening its not about your opening knowledge its about not being able to spot tactics yours or your opponents.
I have a very good explanation as to why, as I will soon post, but first I want to hear everyone else's thoughts on this.
In my opinion, the usual 20-40-40 rule is outdated. Due to new dynamic lines coming out and chess players struggling to counter them, the win rate tilts in favor of those who study openings. They don't look for quick wins anymore with traps. instead, they use their opening knowledge to build a long-term advantage under the noses of players who dismiss opening theory as 'useless'. The rule should be more like 30-35-35.