I've been playing the Colle (first Kolanowski then Zukertort) for quite some time and I think that I suffer from passive play. I'd rather pick something off the beaten path (sorry 1.e4), so I'm considering the English or Bird.
Is there one that has more a future than the other? I initially though Bird, but then I remembered the Catalan, something I've always thought looked nice, but have been warned against. I think that the English would some day help me evolve into playing the Catalan.
Originally posted by EladarIf you want off the beaten path, then the Bird is the choice. The English is certainly more mainstream, but it is also the stronger opening. The Catalan is a respected (albeit quiet) opening. If you play the English with kingside fianchetto (1.c4 2.g3 as advocated in Tony Kosten's excellent "The Dynamic English"😉 you can certainly begin to add the Catalan into your repertoire.
I've been playing the Colle (first Kolanowski then Zukertort) for quite some time and I think that I suffer from passive play. I'd rather pick something off the beaten path (sorry 1.e4), so I'm considering the English or Bird.
Is there one that has more a future than the other? I initially though Bird, but then I remembered the Catalan, something I've al ...[text shortened]... d against. I think that the English would some day help me evolve into playing the Catalan.
Although you didn't ask, I would suggest that you spend some time playing the main line d4 openings since you already play the Colle. You can just play 2.c4 or 2.Nf3 3.c4 and begin to get a feel for some of the main line openings that result (and perhaps still play the colle after 1...Nf6 2...e6).
Please forgive my unsolicited advice.
Best,
Scott
I wasn't planning on leaving 1.d4 forever. I figure I'll return to it later when I have a better grasp of strategy and pawns. I've been playing chess for about a year and a half now and I'm looking to open things up.
I just looked up info on the Dynamic English and the descriptions fit what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestion.
Originally posted by EladarThe Dynamic English is great, and a great way to start playing 1.c4 (followed by 2.g3).
I wasn't planning on leaving 1.d4 forever. I figure I'll return to it later when I have a better grasp of strategy and pawns. I've been playing chess for about a year and a half now and I'm looking to open things up.
I just looked up info on the Dynamic English and the descriptions fit what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestion.
The Bird is less charted and certainly interesting.
I just played in a live tournament (blitz). It was the first one in years that I've played.
One of my games with black went like this:
8.Bb5 was interesting. It left all the books.
As it turns out, my d4 and Nd5 idea was too dangerous for black!
14. Ne5 !! was a killer that I missed.
On move 16, I actually considered taking on g2. I figured I was nearly dead meat without my dark squared bishop, so I'd better take the material.
18. ... e6 ??
Qh4 and Ng5 was praying heavy on my mind.
19. ... f5 was mere desperation.
Later, I played Re8, and he closed the e file with Be5!
I was very lucky to win this game.
It was a fun tournament.
By the way, I did a little research on 2.b3 yesterday.
Here are a few lines from one of my books.
1.f4 d5 2.b3 Qd6 !? 3.e3 e5 4.Ba3 c5
1.f4 d5 2.b3 e5 3.fxe5 Qh4+ 4.g3 Qd4
1.f4 d5 2.b3 Bg4 is also interesting (and a main line).
Here is a famous Bird's Opening that my game could have transposed to (but didn't).
The victim is Mr. C.J.S. Purdy. (Sorry Robbie)
I've been playing 1.c4 2.g3 3.Bg2 for the past couple of days (I haven't even order the book yet) and I'm finding these games much more enjoyable. The positions are alot more open. My king is a bit more exposed, but the center of the board doesn't seem to be as cluttered with pawns, if you know what I mean.
Originally posted by SophyIt's actually pretty interesting.
What about about the symetrical bird?
1 f4 f5.
I once played 1.f4 f5 2.e4 (the move theory raves about) against my computer. I really didn't get much compensation at all. I did a rematch and used a book during the game. Even with an open book, my compensation wasn't all that great. If 1.d4 f5 2.e4 isn't a forced win, then how can 1.f4 f5 2.e4 really be?
Therefore, 1.f4 f5 2.Nf3 !? should lead to some interesting uncharted positions.