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The Opening.

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Originally posted by azalin76
Is it absolutely necessary to learn openings? Is there a point that I will have to learn or roll over and be trampled by people passing me in the ratings?
It is absolutely necessary to learn openings, if not many, then at least a few king side and a few queen side ones, with the main lines that follow... in most games you can transpose an opening into another of your liking, making your life easier. Learn a few good lines, know the traps, and try to impose your own game and style... get passed the middle game well enough and concentrate on end game strategy, which is where most people make mistakes and give away games (even strong players)... 😀

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Appears to be noteworthy advice.

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Originally posted by wondercat
Capablanca: In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else...
I read this repeatedly in this forum. I have just one question: Why is that?

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Because the ending is supposed to be more important?


What good is a spectacular opening and middlegame, if you simply can't finish the End Game sucessfully?

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Originally posted by azalin76
What good is a spectacular opening and middlegame, if you simply can't finish the End Game sucessfully?
Good point. But what good is a capacity to play a spectacular endgame, if you simply can't survive the opening or middle game?

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at 1000 OTB i began to look over a broad section of openings. I didnt look at lines at all but rather went through every opening main line in my opening dictionary and read the sumaries (sp?) of each main line and what the mid game battle should/could/usually looks like. I wrote this in a journal and learned a lot of positional play from these notes. I then decided on a general opening I liked and looked over a couple lines, used a book to help get the lines down during CC and yahoo chess. After that I bulked up on the middle and endgame. Only now (400-500 higher) am I actually looking into lines, not as memerization but for ideas.

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Originally posted by basso
I read this repeatedly in this forum. I have just one question: Why is that?
I think the reason behind it is that if you can understand how the individual pieces (or say 2 of them working together) on an emptyish board then this will help you get more of an understanding of their strengths/weaknesses in the opening & middlegame.

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That sounds like a nice approach.

I would like to find a book with the following approach:

1. "all" openings are fine
2. what type of games (open, positional, attacking....etc) do you preferre?
3. try these openings as White (Black)

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instead of studying 1 or 2 openings I have decided to just go the "study annotated games route." I get to go through many different openings, see how GMs and IMs play after the opening and play their ensuing endgames. very instructional. I would definitely suggest it.

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Originally posted by basso
I read this repeatedly in this forum. I have just one question: Why is that?
If you would quote the whole post you would understand.

He says the middlegame and opening must be studied in relation to the endgame. The reason for this is simple. during the opening and middlegames, you will have chances to simplify. If you analyze that simplification and realize that the resultant endgame is won, go for it, whereas if it is lost/drawn avoid the exchanges (unless you want the draw). If you have no idea what type of endgame it is, you don't even have the option of simplifying.

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Originally posted by sydsad
That sounds like a nice approach.

I would like to find a book with the following approach:

1. "all" openings are fine
2. what type of games (open, positional, attacking....etc) do you preferre?
3. try these openings as White (Black)
I recommend that you obtain "Winning Chess Openings" by Yasser Seirawan. It explains general opening theory and gives the strategies behind all of the major openings.