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Trying to understand openings

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Avatar of babachew
babachew
May 12, 2018
0
#1

The bottom line is that I am a new/weak player, under 700 ELO.... when it comes to openings, I understand the concept, but after the first few moves you are left in the dark, and furthermore the options and unlimited possibilities become so vast that I wonder why I even attempted to play any recognized opening in the first place. Maybe I am just stupid, but after a player goes thru a "standard opening".... THEN WHAT ?

Avatar of IMKeto
IMKeto
May 12, 2018
0
#2

Opening Principles:

1. Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5

2. Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key

3. Castle

4. Connect your rooks

Tactics...tactics...tactics...

 

Pre Move Checklist:

1. Make sure all your pieces are safe. 

2. Look for forcing move: Checks, captures, threats. You want to look at ALL forcing moves (even the bad ones) this will force you look at, and see the entire board. 

3. If there are no forcing moves, you then want to remove any of your opponent’s pieces from your side of the board. 

4. If your opponent doesn’t have any of his pieces on your side of the board, then you want to improve the position of your least active piece. 

5. After each move by your opponent, ask yourself: "What is my opponent trying to do?"

 

Avatar of babachew
babachew
May 12, 2018
0
#3

Thank you so much for the insight IMBacon ! And to you real_name_hidden !

Avatar of kindaspongey
kindaspongey
May 12, 2018
0
#4

"... For beginning players, [Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansem (2006)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf

Might be helpful to know more about all aspects of the game:
Simple Attacking Plans by Fred Wilson (2012)https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090402/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review874.pdf
http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Simple-Attacking-Plans-77p3731.htm
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev (1957)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708104437/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/logichess.pdf
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played by Irving Chernev (1965)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
Winning Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld (1948)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233537/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review585.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-back-to-basics-tactics

Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014)
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/openings-for-amateurs/
https://www.mongoosepress.com/catalog/excerpts/openings_amateurs.pdf
Chess Endgames for Kids by Karsten Müller (2015)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-endgames-for-kids/
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Chess_Endgames_for_Kids.pdf
A Guide to Chess Improvement by Dan Heisman (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105628/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review781.pdf
Studying Chess Made Easy by Andrew Soltis (2009)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090448/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review750.pdf
Seirawan stuff:
http://seagaard.dk/review/eng/bo_beginner/ev_winning_chess.asp?KATID=BO&ID=BO-Beginner
http://www.nystar.com/tamarkin/review1.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-winning-chess-endings
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708092617/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review560.pdf

Avatar of RussBell
RussBell
May 13, 2018
0
#5
babachew wrote:

The bottom line is that I am a new/weak player, under 700 ELO.... when it comes to openings, I understand the concept, but after the first few moves you are left in the dark, and furthermore the options and unlimited possibilities become so vast that I wonder why I even attempted to play any recognized opening in the first place. Maybe I am just stupid, but after a player goes thru a "standard opening".... THEN WHAT ?

 

 Check out the first few books in the following list.....especially "Discovering Chess Openings" by John Emms.....

Good Chess Openings Books for Beginners and Beyond.....

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-openings-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

also check out....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zpsb8rANQ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uetk0jVwy8c

and articles (particularly on positional chess and pawn play) in my blog...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

Avatar of Roo_2_Unlimited
Roo_2_Unlimited
May 13, 2018
0
#6

It has all to do with pawn structure.  This determines where and how you use your pieces and determines middle game plans and ideas, even endings. Take a look at this here, its the pawn structure of the Caro Kann exchange.  Its immensely interesting because we can deduce certain ideas simply by looking at the pawn structure.

 

 
Certain ideas are self evident.
1. Both players are likely to castle kingside as there is more pawn cover there.
2. White has strong square on e5, black has a strong square on c4 (these are strong because they cannot be challenged by a pawn without incurring further weaknesses)
3.There are two half open files, the e file and the c file.  I would make sense to put a rook there supporting the strong point on e5 or c4 respectively.
4. White could try to engineer the move f4-f5 creating pawns weaknesses in blacks position
5. Black can play on the queen side utilising his pawns to create a minority attack against the white queen side.
6. A Knight clearly belongs on e5 and c4 respectively, supported by a rook and a bishop if possible.
 
All of these things can be determined simply by looking at the pawns structure.  It provides a blueprint for where you will place your pieces and how to use them.  Learn how to create harmony between your pawns and your pieces and you will do awesome.
 
 

 You don't need any opening books.  You can do self analysis with a database which will be much more rewarding and beneficial.

Avatar of Roo_2_Unlimited
Roo_2_Unlimited
May 13, 2018
0
#7
 
g4?? weakens your kingside unnecessarily.
 

 

You are leaving huge weaknesses in your position because of making unnecessary pawn moves.
 
Every time your hand reaches out for a pawn, sit on it and ask yourself is it really necessary?  If not develop your pieces.
Avatar of AIM-AceMove
AIM-AceMove
May 13, 2018
0
#8

Books , principles.. strategues... 

Just play blitz, make lwegal move see what happens. Then improve next game.

Avatar of Lagomorph
Lagomorph
May 13, 2018
0
#9
babachew wrote:

The bottom line is that I am a new/weak player, under 700 ELO.... when it comes to openings, I understand the concept, but after the first few moves you are left in the dark, and furthermore the options and unlimited possibilities become so vast that I wonder why I even attempted to play any recognized opening in the first place. Maybe I am just stupid, but after a player goes thru a "standard opening".... THEN WHAT ?

 

 

Don't even try to learn openings. Just learn general opening principles and how to develop your pieces.

 

Tactics and endgame are far more important for a beginner to learn.

Avatar of Roo_2_Unlimited
Roo_2_Unlimited
May 13, 2018
0
#10

You guys might do better if you look at the op's games instead of regurgitating endless rhemes of insipid platitudes.  Seriously, do the Op a favour by taking the time to look at his games.

Avatar of babachew
babachew
May 13, 2018
0
#11

Thanks to all of you for the insight! I especially loved the Fischer vs, Petrosian game !

Avatar of Roo_2_Unlimited
Roo_2_Unlimited
May 13, 2018
0
#12

Agreed, Fischers games are so instructional. happy.png