hi, its is well understood that the majority of posts on this forum cover the subject of specific openings, the Sicilian, the French, the English, blah de blah! what i would like to know, is two things, is it beneficial to try to find a specific line to each of the occurrences, say just for starters we are 1.e4 player, to the moves, ...e5, ...e6, ...c5, ...Nf6, ...c6, etc etc, or is it better to have a universal system that covers all possibilities, like the Kings Indian attack for example, which can be played against almost anything with a little tweaking here and there with the exception of 1...d5. i read somewhere that this last approach while getting a playable game forfeits the 'advantage ', of the first move. Any ideas would be quite helpful, as i am presently torn between the two.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI'd say at low levels try to have the most ambivalent line possible, so you can use your extra time for other prospects. At higher levels I think you will have to learn some more lines, as the play hits another level. But most importantly, just play what you like and what you want, weather it is good or terrible...
hi, its is well understood that the majority of posts on this forum cover the subject of specific openings, the Sicilian, the French, the English, blah de blah! what i would like to know, is two things, is it beneficial to try to find a specific line to each of the occurrences, say just for starters we are 1.e4 player, to the moves, ...e5, ...e6, ... ...[text shortened]... of the first move. Any ideas would be quite helpful, as i am presently torn between the two.
Originally posted by orion25this was one of the reasons for adopting the universal system, in that it affords time for other things, like tactics or strategy.
I'd say at low levels try to have the most ambivalent line possible, so you can use your extra time for other prospects. At higher levels I think you will have to learn some more lines, as the play hits another level. But most importantly, just play what you like and what you want, weather it is good or terrible...
I think it probaby depends on how much work you're willing/able to put in. a system will cut down the amount of work, but playing everything will have its emergent benefits in the long run as well.
I find it interesting that nakamura used to have a strict opening repertoire, and didn't switch into playing everything until in the recent years. the same seems to apply to carlsen, although I haven't heard him mention it anywhere. how about chucky?
Originally posted by wormwoodmmmm, when you mean strict, you mean specific lines that he liked to employ, like against the French, he would play the advance, or against the Caro Khan, he would play exchange variation (just by way of example), one of Chuckys virtues seems to be that it was almost impossible to know what he was gonna do, probably the most versatile of them all, especially as black.
I think it probaby depends on how much work you're willing/able to put in. a system will cut down the amount of work, but playing everything will have its emergent benefits in the long run as well.
I find it interesting that nakamura used to have a strict opening repertoire, and didn't switch into playing everything until in the recent years. the same seems to apply to carlsen, although I haven't heard him mention it anywhere. how about chucky?
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI don't really know what actual lines nakamura played, but he said in an interview that he always played the same exact lines.
mmmm, when you mean strict, you mean specific lines that he liked to employ, like against the French, he would play the advance, or against the Caro Khan, he would play exchange variation (just by way of example), one of Chuckys virtues seems to be that it was almost impossible to know what he was gonna do, probably the most versatile of them all, especially as black.
I think the underlying point is the amount of experience. when you don't have it yet, a restricted set works best (bang for buck). but as you get more experienced, see all kinds of stuff, it's also easier to get into new territory and still find familiar elements, plus you'll get the benefit of learning the totally new elements.
my long term plan regarding openings, is to first learn my current ones relatively well (meaning master level, excluding the aspects I'm simply not ready to understand yet). then pick up new openings and do the same. (I'm maybe 10% there with my current openings, and it's a 10+ year plan.)
Originally posted by robbie carrobieJust play the flippin game RC, you worry too much.
hi, its is well understood that the majority of posts on this forum cover the subject of specific openings, the Sicilian, the French, the English, blah de blah! what i would like to know, is two things, is it beneficial to try to find a specific line to each of the occurrences, say just for starters we are 1.e4 player, to the moves, ...e5, ...e6, ... ...[text shortened]... of the first move. Any ideas would be quite helpful, as i am presently torn between the two.
Originally posted by Ice Coldoh ice man, its not so simple! i am constantly leaving weak squares, and yet while i realise that squares must be given up to get others, one i think, should at the very least understand the nature of those weaknesses, or at very least, be able to chose his weakness! Is it not so my learned friend?
Just play the flippin game RC, you worry too much.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieYou've got to give squares to get squares.
oh ice man, its not so simple! i am constantly leaving weak squares, and yet while i realise that squares must be given up to get others, one i think, should at the very least understand the nature of those weaknesses, or at very least, be able to chose his weakness! Is it not so my learned friend?
Personally RC I play a narrow repertoire of openings. I am usually in familiar territory through the opening that way. I suggest find a few openings that you're comfortable with, and build variations around them. Try new ideas in blitz games, forge them with CC games into weapons, then use those weapons in regular club play.