depends on what kind of player you are, and what kind of strengths you have. -some people do great with memorizing massive theory, although most probably don't. some people do well in sharp complex positions, some in solid more positional ones. some excel in equal endgames, etc, etc, etc... it depends.
play openings where you feel most comfortable. take the battle where you're strong, not where you're weak.
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Originally posted by RBHILLThe hardest to learn are the imbalanced openings (Sicilian, as has been mentioned; but also the Indian complex); the easiest ones are the drawing openings. Play nothing but the Petrov, Four Knights and Vienna from now on and you'll never have to learn another line. You'll also never enjoy chess again.
In your opinion what is the hardest chess opening to learn?
And what is the easiest to learn?
And if you can give reasons why for both, Thanks.
Richard
Originally posted by Shallow BlueSicilian is by far the hardest. ONe wrong move and, voila, done! Also, if oponent chooses to respond with Smith-Morra Gambit it gets electric and complicated. I find the Gruenfeld very difficult because it leads to huge complications. Another one wrong move and done. All queen pawn openings are more difficult than king pawn openings. I love the Reti, but play it poorly. Easiest by far is Ruy Lopez or the Giuoco Piano.
The hardest to learn are the imbalanced openings (Sicilian, as has been mentioned; but also the Indian complex); the easiest ones are the drawing openings. Play nothing but the Petrov, Four Knights and Vienna from now on and you'll never have to learn another line. You'll also never enjoy chess again.
Richard
As white I find the Barcza opening really easy to play. You can play the first four moves (nf3, g3, bg2, 0-0) without really needing to look up at what your opponent's doing. The moves are efficient, effective against any response as black, get your king safe, and you can start to develop without any real concerns. I play it a lot at my local club because I like to keep it (real) simple. I'm not sure where it ends and the King's Indian Attack starts but I'm sure someone will point it out.
As black I like the French because I know the general goal is to keep your centre pawns and get rid of white's and so I just play everything around that. Again it's the simplicity of the overall objective that I like.
I haven't tried the Sicilian because all the fancy sounding variations frighten me. Accelerating dragons, mincing tigers, and the budapest daschund spandex variation, it's all a bit much for me.