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CC vrs OTB openings

CC vrs OTB openings

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Do you alter what you play at all? Perhaps you play a line thats not so sharp OTB when you don't have access books/databses?


The only reason I ask is I remember Tim Taylor saying something about this in a book I was perusing. Strangely enough, I play the sharpest openings OTB and play the more positional openings in CC. My theory is that even though I don't have days to study a position, neither does my opponent and my familiarity with the lines and having an initiative is a huge boon. Whereas in CC, you have to be more careful, I still play for an advantage, but snatching that extra pawn could more easily turn deadly.


actually on this site, I just play whatever strikes my fancy, but in CC tournaments I have been much more coutious.

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I play QG and guica piano (spelling?...) OTB + CC because I just want to get better OTB and this site has good players to help 🙂

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Originally posted by zebano
Do you alter what you play at all? Perhaps you play a line thats not so sharp OTB when you don't have access books/databses?


The only reason I ask is I remember Tim Taylor saying something about this in a book I was perusing. Strangely enough, I play the sharpest openings OTB and play the more positional openings in CC. My theory is that even though I d ...[text shortened]... , I just play whatever strikes my fancy, but in CC tournaments I have been much more coutious.
I'm more cautious here. I imagine I will soon drop my Sveshnikov Sicilian in CC, due to the fact some opponents are now neutralising the activity I have in it, with the extra time allowed to analyse.

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I play my OTB openings on here to gain experience so I can use that knowledge in OTB.

I can see why people play different openings but if you want to get better at OTB then you should play the same openings.

Whats the point say of playing 1.e4 in OTB and then playing 1.d4 on here unless you are a gm.

Stick with 1 opening till you know it really good.

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Originally posted by zebano
Do you alter what you play at all? Perhaps you play a line thats not so sharp OTB when you don't have access books/databses?


The only reason I ask is I remember Tim Taylor saying something about this in a book I was perusing. Strangely enough, I play the sharpest openings OTB and play the more positional openings in CC. My theory is that even though I d ...[text shortened]... , I just play whatever strikes my fancy, but in CC tournaments I have been much more coutious.
I play the same openings, I see it as an opportunity to explore the same lines and gain experience for my otb games

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I play the same openings in both cases. I also don't use databases. However, I can see how one might use a strategy like you describe effectively.

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I do both: I play my main OTB repertoire in CC (it is my repertoire), and I try openings that I haven't played before, or haven't played well, so I have the security of databases to help me learn the lines.

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'scuse my ignorance.

Whats CC?

County comps?

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Originally posted by celticcountry
'scuse my ignorance.

Whats CC?

County comps?
correspondence chess.

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Personally I think the big difference comes with you choices of defenses. It is much harder to defend a slightly inferior position in CC than OTB, as your opponent is much less likely to make a slip. So, if you look at top CC games, black chooses more dynamic defenses than is typical OTB.

I think with the risk of people using software it is prudent for us lesser players to play positionally in CC.

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I play all chess as OTB and reckon anyone that uses more than between their ears for CC is cheating
Where is the difference between the help of a computer or book or any kind of assistance
Use only your own knowledge and if you wish to study a game after it has been completed then fair enough but during a game CHEATING

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Originally posted by Mctayto
I play all chess as OTB and reckon anyone that uses more than between their ears for CC is cheating
Where is the difference between the help of a computer or book or any kind of assistance
Use only your own knowledge and if you wish to study a game after it has been completed then fair enough but during a game CHEATING
*sigh*

this is not regular chess. this is correspondence chess. they have different rules. as do suicide, bughouse, crazyhouse etc.

learn the rules.

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Originally posted by wormwood
*sigh*

this is not regular chess. this is correspondence chess. they have different rules. as do suicide, bughouse, crazyhouse etc.

learn the rules.
My point is that if I use any method other than between my ears then I am not worthy of winning as it is not my game but that of advise no matter where that comes from
I agree that CC gives you this opportunity to in effect cheat but there are the majority that simply use their grey cells albeit you can tell by our ratings 🙁

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Originally posted by Mctayto
My point is that if I use any method other than between my ears then I am not worthy of winning as it is not my game but that of advise no matter where that comes from
I agree that CC gives you this opportunity to in effect cheat but there are the majority that simply use their grey cells albeit you can tell by our ratings 🙁
we already had a whole forum thread about this....
possibly the whole point of correspondence chess is to use databases and improve on previously played games. if you dont use databases then don't play CC. its not an opportunity to cheat, its an opportunity to play original and very high quality games.

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Originally posted by Mctayto
I play all chess as OTB and reckon anyone that uses more than between their ears for CC is cheating
Where is the difference between the help of a computer or book or any kind of assistance
Use only your own knowledge and if you wish to study a game after it has been completed then fair enough but during a game CHEATING
From dictionary.com

cheat
v. intr.
1. To act dishonestly; practice fraud.
2. To violate rules deliberately, as in a game: was accused of cheating at cards.
3. Informal. To be sexually unfaithful: cheat on a spouse.


Since chess is a game, #2 applies. People who use db/books are not breaking the rules hence, they are not cheats. It is very very simple logic, now please take your prattle outside of this thread.

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