Is there a proper way for me to create myself an opening reportoire?
Is there a tried and tested method for developing a strong opening reportoire? Should I be studying opening lines/variations or should I learn the ideas behind the openings?
Any helpful suggestions appreciated.
Thanks.
Skims.
The answer really depends on how good you want to get, don't you think?
At a certain level, opening preparation is unavoidable. At what point opening preparation becomes more productive than other forms of study though, is pretty poorly defined.
The problem with NOT understanding the principals behind the moves is at the club level, a lot of players aren't booked up and will deviate from common lines fairly quickly. So you end up with lots of wasted memorization.
FWIW, my opening strategy revolves around limiting how much I have to book up.
I play 1. e4 as white, and if someone replies 1. ... e5, I play King's Gambit (1. f4), avoiding as best I can the whole slew of openings that 2. Nf3 opens up.
At the master level, the KG is considered drawish but at my level, it really isn't a concern.
As black, I play the sicilian against 1. e4, and usually work towards a Najdorf position if possible. I like playing the sicilian as both white and black, this covers the other common black response when I play 1. e4.
With black, my biggest dilemna is what to play against 1. d4 or 1. c4. I'm still formulating a strategy around that, mostly centered around the Nimzo-Indian.
Originally posted by skimsOne is no good without the other. Ideas are fine and they help retain in memory the specific lines. One still needs the specific lines because tactics are specific, not wishy washy. One tempo is enough to ruin an initiative.
[Should I be studying opening lines/variations or should I learn the ideas behind the openings?
Skims.[/b]
I have to admit my memory is not great for learning openings where a great deal of memory work is required (like the Sicilian perhaps). Some openings are more difficiult to learn than others I guess. I prefer remembering ideas and concepts of openings than having to remember too many specific move orders.
Opening 1.e4 can allow the opponent to steer the game into their "pet defense" French, Sicilian, Pirc and so on etc.
Is your style of play positional or are you a tactical player? Maybe you can find an opening that steers the game to where your strengths are.
I tend to play the English or Catalan as white, K.I.D, Pirc as Black. I have tried learning other openings but have stopped using some because there are too many move lists to remember.
Originally posted by DeadBeSwallowedThat's absurd; a good general knowledge of the main variations in the most played openings is highly useful, if not critical. You can study tactics all you want, but if you're playing the Damiano or other unsound openings you're liable to be in a crappy position in a very short period of time and trying to dig uphill. I'd suggest just knowing the basic opening principles (development, bearing on center, etc.) and the basic plans in a few openings that you are likely to see and how they adhere to said principles.
It's useless to study openings if you are under 2000 rated.
Skims, I believe that to determine how you want to open you have to decide how you want to play. If you are cautious and would prefer a draw to losing while going for the win, don't play openings that are double edged. The Sicilian may not be right for you. If you are take no prisoners kind of player, and want excitement even if it means a loss, there are several gambit openings that aren't too bad. Many players don't know how to handle them very well and if you study them you could wind up with a lot of points...and some real arse whippings as well.
Most important thing is to know your style of play and find something that fits. Reading helps that process. Look for some books that might have some sample repertoires in them. There are a number of them.
de la Maza in his book Rapid Chess... had a good idea. He said he didn't know one opening from another when he started out in his method of development and did just fine studying tactics. He states that you should play a common opening, and if you get blown out of the water, go back and find out where you went wrong, say on move 3 of the Ruy Lopez and remember not to make that same mistake again. Eventually, you won't be getting blown out of the water (at least not so soon). He writes it's a waste of time for class players to study openings. With him it's tactics, tactics, tactics. And, in truth, when you think about it, most games are decided on a tactical slip that costs a pawn or the exchange or something. Then it's just a matter of grinding down after that. I don't want to make it sound simple. Winning a won game can be difficult against a determined defender, but in the end, material rules!
That's the most ignorant comment I've ever heard in the history of chess. "It's useless to study openings if you are rated under 2000." LOL! Tell that to an expert who depends on the Sicilian Dragon Variation. Studying the main lines of the opening you use is critical. You must have a goal in chess and ever opening has a middle game and endgame goal initially. Read Horrowitz's HOW TO PLAY WINNING CHESS. Even your patzer under 2000 can learn to do well in the openings and defenses.
That's the most ignorant comment I've ever heard in the history of chess. "It's useless to study openings if you are rated under 2000." LOL! Tell that to an expert who depends on the Sicilian Dragon Variation. Studying the main lines of the opening you use is critical. You must have a goal in chess and ever opening has a middle game and endgame goal initially. Read Horrowitz's HOW TO PLAY WINNING CHESS. Even your patzer under 2000 can learn to do well in the openings and defenses.
Originally posted by skimsIf you regard yourself as a positional player then maybe the Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6 planning to support 2. ... d5) would suit you.
OK Thank you...good sugestions.
I believe I am a very positional player, but I am not really sure of any openings that suit that style of play.
Any suggestions?
Thank you all.
Skims.