Originally posted by Derfel CadarnIt depends.
Is it the ones you know the best? Or maybe whatever you feel like playing? Or does it depend on the opponent? Ex. rated 500 points below you, would you try out a new opening? Same rating, would you just play it safe?
I usually am pretty stuck in my opening ways now, but would play a new opening here if I became unhappy with my current openings, as I can use a database to help me avoid bad moves, and I would look at some top level games to see the usual plans and themes.
Having said that, I played someone 700 points above me in a tournament once, and decided to play an opening I had never played before in my life. I gained a position Fritz gave as around +3 to me, then proceeded to get beat by the guy anyway because I was cr@p, and he was better.
Based on how I feel I may play a benko or instead just a nimzo-indian against d4. The same thing as white, c4 when feeling conservative, and e4 when feeling aggresive (or against lower rated players). I also play new openings once in a while just to find new middle game positions. For instance right now I am on a double king pawn kick as black (something I have never been good at) and it's losing me some games, but is totally differnt than my typical french.
I play exactly the same opening in OTB regard less of who i'm playing. Same with CC. This way I get more practise with my openings and can play them better.
Blitz which I might play once a month, I try stupid things just for the fun of it.
However, 5 weeks ago, I had black in OTB and expected my opponent to play the vienna gambit against me since I play 1.e4 e5 and I wasn't happy with it then, but then I picked up a book after and I'm okay facing it. But anyways, I played 1.e4 c5 which I hadn't played in OTB except 3 times when i first started 2 years ago, and got into the anti-sicilian 4.Qxd4 . I knew he would play this line and was more comfortable with it compared to facing the vienna gambit.
So just play whatever your comfortable with.
IMHO, the best opening is a matter of personal style. If you prefer a more tactical style, then 1.e4 generally works best. If you prefer a more strategic game, then 1.d4 works best.
I generally prefer strategy over tactics; therefore, I like 1.d4 playing into the Colle System. However, for surprise effect, I have had some good results on RHP playing the Saragossa, 1.c3. There is not alot of book knowledge on this opening. Playing black against 1.e4, I prefer the Caro-Kann, 1..c6. Against 1.d4, I generally play the Slav or QGD.
Also, choice of opening should be related to you preference on minor pieces (if you have one). If you prefer knights, then you want to play openings that lead to closed pawn structures. If you prefer bishops, you will generally want an open pawn structure.
If you a beginning player, you want to focus on the basic objectives of the opening: 1. control of the center, 2. king safety, 3. piece development, and 4. minor piece activity. A very good book on openings that I highly recommend is Fine's "The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings". It gives a good overview of the basic ideas behind the major openings and also the resultant pawn structures.
I just stick to the ones that support my playing style or the ones I know the most. I stick to 1.d4 for white because I'm a slower player that is more positional than tactical. As for defenses I stick to ones I know or surprise ones that people barely see like the Black Knights Tango or maybe the St. George sometimes if the person is lower rated.
Originally posted by TenguWait till your opponents "book" up on you 🙂
I've been a 1...e6 guy for 15 years now. I dont think I'll be changing anytime soon!!!!
I have fancied a pop at the Sicilian but never really got around to it!!! That little e-pawn push just keeps calling!
Then It will be a time for a change.
99.999999999% of the time I play 1.e4. It's just the system that I'm most comfortable with.
As black I employ a variety of sysytems. My favorites against 1.e4 are the Spanish and the Pirc.
Against 1.d4 I either play KI (though it's somewhat inferior) or the Grunfeld.
I've only ever had 1 ame against 1.c4 in which I decided to play a reversed sicilian and found out that the tempo means a lot. I went on to win, but only because my opponent blundered away a whole Bishop.
Originally posted by WulebgrI *think* I understand the 1.e4 vs. weaker players, but why 1.d4 or 1.nf3 vs. stronger? I'm not knocking you; I would like to understand. THanks.
Against players much lower rated, I usually play 1.e4. Against higher rated players, I play 1.d4 or 1.Nf3 more often. These are OTB distinctions that I do not make in CC.
Originally posted by razor2007Agree with the first comment, but as to the KID being inferior ... inferior to what?! If you know the KID it is a sound defence vs d4 with easy to remember counter-attacking themes.
99.999999999% of the time I play 1.e4. It's just the system that I'm most comfortable with.
Against 1.d4 I either play KI (though it's somewhat inferior) or the Grunfeld.
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Basically rather than fixating on book learning one or two openings, try to identify a style of position that you feel comfortable in, look at opening repetoires that are likely to lead to that sort of position and learn the key themes/ideas in each opening for both sides.
e.g. in the KID black's normal plan is to play f5 and if white plays ef, play gf with a kingside attack, whilst white's normal play is to play c4 and c5 with a queenside attack (all after the appropriate preparation of course). That way if your opponent does something unexpected you still have a chance of formulating a decent plan.
Originally posted by magnublmI hear this from a lot of other players as well.
I *think* I understand the 1.e4 vs. weaker players, but why 1.d4 or 1.nf3 vs. stronger? I'm not knocking you; I would like to understand. THanks.
They play 1.e4 vs lower rated players so they can finish them off quickly in a lively game compared to a slow positional one.
Against higher rated players they play positional stuff like 1.d4 and 1.Nf3 so that the game is less wild and more positional.
Frankly, I say you're just as good as them and don't be scared. Play 1.e4 vs them and study your tactics.
I'm not good on openings so I would like to learn. My preference is 1.e4 but I notice that good players often play 1...c5, why is this a good move? Also could someone please explain other openings to me, what's the use of gambits for example, do they not just throw away pawns? Thanks for the help in anticipation,
Neil.