What's the quickest and best way to get up to speed on, or at least somewhat familiar with, a new opening? I am particularly interested in online resources. Also a good book rec wouldn't hurt, but please, not one of those monsters, MCO and the other one. Something smaller, simpler, cheaper, and more instructive, though less detailed (obviously). A hybrid between Seirawan's opening book and MCO, perhaps. Thanks.
Originally posted by bassoFind out which strong players utilise the opening of your choice.Get annotated games of them with this opening.Study these games well.
What's the quickest and best way to get up to speed on, or at least somewhat familiar with, a new opening? I am particularly interested in online resources. Also a good book rec wouldn't hurt, but please, not one of those monsters, MCO and the other one. Something smaller, simpler, cheaper, and more instructive, though less detailed (obviously). A hybrid between Seirawan's opening book and MCO, perhaps. Thanks.
You will learn all the variations,tricks and traps,the most common tactical motifs,piece placement and how to handle the endgames that arise.
Write down all your findings and publish an opening book yourself.Get some dollars for your efforts 😉
Originally posted by Katastroofif its a top level player, who mostly plays other super skilled players im not sure youll see all the traps that show up.. how so?
Find out which strong players utilise the opening of your choice.Get annotated games of them with this opening.Study these games well.
You will learn all the variations,tricks and traps,the most common tactical motifs,piece placement and how to handle the endgames that arise.
Write down all your findings and publish an opening book yourself.Get some dollars for your efforts 😉
Originally posted by irontigranThat's where the annotations come into play.If well annotated a trap should be pointed out.And if you really study the games you can find the traps yourself.With study I don't mean just replaying the game.
if its a top level player, who mostly plays other super skilled players im not sure youll see all the traps that show up.. how so?
Also,when I say 'strong player' I don't necessarily mean a super GM.It may be a lesser god,one who plays other mere mortals,which once in a while fall into traps. 🙂
Katastroof gives what strikes me as a good answer for "the best way" to learn an opening, but this method can't be "the quickest way." What if you only have an hour or two to devote to this enterprise? Isn't there a website that will give you the basics of an opening? Or a book that will give you maybe 2 or 3 times the info on an opening as Seirawan's book does, and will also include more openings? I think Seirawan fails to even include the Vienna game. Maybe 10 pages or so per opening sounds about right. Simple, basic, the next level up from Seirawan. Websites? Thanks.
Originally posted by bassoAh,you got me with the quick part LOL
Katastroof gives what strikes me as a good answer for "the best way" to learn an opening, but this method can't be "the quickest way." What if you only have an hour or two to devote to this enterprise? Isn't there a website that will give you the basics of an opening? Or a book that will give you maybe 2 or 3 times the info on an opening as Seirawan's book ...[text shortened]... sounds about right. Simple, basic, the next level up from Seirawan. Websites? Thanks.
I don't know any such websites.Have you tried googling an opening?
As for books.I'm not familiar with Seirawan's book so don't know exactly what you're looking for.Though this might be it:
http://www.newinchess.com/Shop/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=380
It only covers 1.e4,think they have yet to write volume 2.
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Originally posted by bassoMemorize the basics of the opening from an opening database, then go play as many blitz chess games as you can with that opening. This would give you an idea of how your opponents will try to handle it. Also this makes memorization much easier.
What's the quickest and best way to get up to speed on, or at least somewhat familiar with, a new opening? I am particularly interested in online resources. Also a good book rec wouldn't hurt, but please, not one of those monsters, MCO and the other one. Something smaller, simpler, cheaper, and more instructive, though less detailed (obviously). A hybrid between Seirawan's opening book and MCO, perhaps. Thanks.
KnightStalker's idea definitely sounds like a good, quick, and relatively easy method to familiarize oneself with an opening. One more question: In my efforts to date at learning particular openings, I am usually at a loss as to the ideas behind the various opening moves. How to come to an understanding of these ideas? Unfortunately, Reubin Fine's "Ideas Behind the Chess Openings" has been no help. Thanks.
Originally posted by MissOleumNice site rec -- I like it. The book. "Chess Opening Essentials," at NewInChess, also looks good. But so does John Watson's "Mastering the Chess Openings." And Watson's book gets great reviews at Amazon. I'm leaning towards Watson's book. Comments, anyone?
http://www.eudesign.com/chessops/