I think perhaps what people are trying to say is EXCESSIVE opening theory is a bad thing.
I mean, you wouldn't memorise K+B+N vs K endings if you couldn't do K+Q vs K or couldn't play the middlegame for toffee.
Everything in moderation to start with is a sensible policy I think.
As black you need to have 1 opening in response to the 3 major opening moves (e4,d4 & c4) and probably stick to e4 as your opening move as white.
That way you can build a repetoire as you develop.
Anyway thats my 2p worth
The key (in my mind) to learning the openings (eraly in your career) is to review your games and figure out where your position went bad and what you could have done better. Double check this against an opening reference (MCO or it's like) or a database then don't repeat the mistake. Correspondence is differnt in that you can use the books/database up front. In this case I suggest you do just that. First figure out what you would play in a position and why. Then double check against a book/db. If yours looks to be a good option, play it. If not figure out why and repeat.
Originally posted by zebanoSince I'm a very stupid guy, could you please give me an answer on the following question:
The key (in my mind) to learning the openings (eraly in your career) is to review your games and figure out where your position went bad and what you could have done better. Double check this against an opening reference (MCO or it's like) or a database then don't repeat the mistake. Correspondence is differnt in that you can use the books/database up front. ...[text shortened]... inst a book/db. If yours looks to be a good option, play it. If not figure out why and repeat.
What is the difference between a book/database user and an engine user?
Probably something like you look it up yourself or let the computer think out your next move.
But isn't there a grey area in between them. I mean where are the bounderies?
Originally posted by Loose Screwyou aren't allowed to use anything that didn't exist at the time of the game start I think.
Since I'm a very stupid guy, could you please give me an answer on the following question:
What is the difference between a book/database user and an engine user?
Probably something like you look it up yourself or let the computer think out your next move.
But isn't there a grey area in between them. I mean where are the bounderies?
(not sure about games from a GM tournament that was played halway your game, but certainly not material that has come to existance by your influence.)
Originally posted by Tengui found d4 easier to play as white when i first started playing. now im messing about with nc3, which im starting to like as a lot of people e4 which allows me to d4 trade pawns and open all of d for my queen.
and probably stick to e4 as your opening move as white.
The diference between an engine and a book/database is that an engine evaluates a position and gives a move. A database/book just gives games that have already been played. Databases/books (generally )don't tell you what to do when your opponent deviates from accepted theory and als ogenerally doesn't map out complex combinations.
Originally posted by zebanoAnd here comes the grey area (in my opinion).
The diference between an engine and a book/database is that an engine evaluates a position and gives a move. A database/book just gives games that have already been played. Databases/books (generally )don't tell you what to do when your opponent deviates from accepted theory and als ogenerally doesn't map out complex combinations.
A book/database can give me an example of a (played) game and give me an idea of how I need to to move my pieces to mate my opponant. That same outcome could be the answer of an engine.
* Auch, am I an engine user now? *
Before someone starts, I don't have chess computer programs.
I just bought myself a book and I found an interresting site with openings, tactics and endplays.
Originally posted by Loose ScrewUsing a database wouldn't really give you an idea of how to mate your opponent as advanced level player games do not tend to fall for mates that early in the game.
And here comes the grey area (in my opinion).
A book/database can give me an example of a (played) game and give me an idea of how I need to to move my pieces to mate my opponant. That same outcome could be the answer of an engine.
* Auch, am I an engine user now? *
Before someone starts, I don't have chess computer programs.
I just bought myself a book and I found an interresting site with openings, tactics and endplays.
Most likely for low rated players, they would leave the database within the first few moves and then you would not find any more database games. All a database would help you to do is build up a strong position near the beginning of the game so that you can have a good middle game. From that point on, databases would hardly help you to find mate, where as using an engine certainly would (which is against the rules).
Using an engine is allowing your PC to calculate your next move based on the current position. A database does not require any calculation whatsoever and still requires your own judgement.
Not an answer...just an observation
Let’s go back in history…..when I started correspondence play, chess engines did not exist. You were allowed to look openings up in books (mostly MCO) and you could look endgames up in a book (mostly BCE). When it came to middle games, about the best you could do was find a couple of samples with similar openings and try to extract some kind of general strategy. It was forbidden to seek help from another player.
The advent of chess playing engines and the internet has not really changed much except consulting databases has replaced a couple hours of thumbing through MCO, BCE and assorted tmt./middlegame books and, engines have replaced consulting with the local expert at the club. All that’s really changed is in the old days the local expert usually could care less about being bothered with your game. Now with computers finding the info you want is much faster and more complete and seeking move advice is available to anybody who wants to use it.
Yes, we correspondence players used books, and then, like now, we were considered a different breed from OTB players.
Originally posted by masscatmabye I misread it, but consulting a player about openings/endgames while you are playing a game isn't allowed I think.
Not an answer...just an observation
Let’s go back in history…..when I started correspondence play, chess engines did not exist. You were allowed to look openings up in books (mostly MCO) and you could look endgames up in a book (mostly BCE). When it came to middle games, about the best you could do was find a couple of samples with similar openings and ...[text shortened]... e players used books, and then, like now, we were considered a different breed from OTB players.
Originally posted by TestriderWhat I meant was computers are less discriminating than people when it comes to asking for their advice, and anybody can consult them at any time. Back in the old days, you didn't have to worry much about somebody seeking outside help because strong players either weren't available, or they wouldn't give you the time of day.
mabye I misread it, but consulting a player about openings/endgames while you are playing a game isn't allowed I think.