I'm not sure what my best approach at this point should be to improve
my chess...My thinking is I'll learn a defense that limits white's
replies. With e4 I'm thinking the caro cahn(spelling?) although
people seem to have mixed feelings on that one. My reply to d4 has
always been Nf3 although I don't know which defense that is. As white
I've been going w/ ruy exclusively to try and become very familiar w/ it
so I might have an advantage over someone less familiar. (side
note...what move after e4,e5/nf3,d6...if Bb5,Bd7 I don't want to trade
that bishop so early so I wind up in the italian game which I'm not
quite as familiar with. Suggestions?) Does anyone have feedback at
to how to sure up my opening game. Beyond that I could use help in
my end game...any suggested readings there?
Thanks,
Franklin
Franklin, there are probably many opinions. Here is one. As black,
and if you want to limit the # of variations on 1. e4 , then Caro-Kann
(c6) is a possibility, to a lesser extent Nf6 (Alekhine) and Petrov
(1. ...e5, 2. Nf3, Nf6). Dave might recommend Philidor which is what
black plays in your side note. Against 1.d4, perhaps d5 and the
exchange variation (2. c4, dxc) could do. Or Dutch 1. ...f5. On your
side remark, after 2 ...d6 (Philidor) the most obvious moves are 3. d4
or 3. Bc4 , perhaps also but passive Nc3. Wit 3. Bb5 you have the
problem that you mentioned Just one opinion. Sin.
Thanks for that Gil!! 😀
Frnklin he is right after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4...then black has a few
different options...I only recommend two.
3....Nf6 (This is the improved Hanham...used by both Alekhine and
Nimzowitsch...and of course me every now and then...it is a kinda
cramped defense but can be a tough nut to crack)
3...f5 (This is the Philidor Counter Gambit...my personal
baby..although it is called the Mestel variation after Johnathan
Mestel..a kick butt British player from the 70's)
You can learn alot about the Philidor from the book "Winning With the
Philidor" by Tony Kosten (sent that out to you finally kirk...sorry so
late on my part)
As for against d4 I agree with Gil...f5...the Dutch. This is a very tactical
defense and you can have alot of fun with it...there are two really
good books on it...Dutch Defense by Jeremy Silman...and The Dutch
for the Attacking player by Stephon Pedersen.
Dave
I'm a bit confused Dave. From your post (thank you btw) I couldn't
tell the difference between the Dutch and the Philidor cournter
gambit. They both seem to be f5 in response to d4. I was actually
more concerned about my moves as white because the ruy lopez is
what I play and the philidor seems to take me out of it. But I guess
you both answered that with more or less...tough beans, d4 is the
proper response.🙂 After d4, is there a way I can force back into the
italian game "structure" or am I just better off learning to play against
the philidor at that point?
thanks again for the responses guys, you're really a great help.
Franklin
The Dutch is 1.d4 f5...and then you basically have the Stonewall...the
Leningrad...and the Staunton gambit.
As for the other...yeah..you need to learn how to play against the
Philidor...you won't see it alot due to the fact it is considered
inferior...but it is a pretty powerful part of my repertoire.
The 3.d4 is there to cause central tension and to remove black's hold
on the center that is why 3....Nf6 works so well....and of course 3...f5
really screws with people...although I really recommend that for speed
chess or OTB.
And your welcome!! I am always here to answer any questions.
Dave
I personally haven't read this book but here is an interesting sounding
book from GAMBIT Books -
AN EXPLOSIVE CHESS OPENING REPERTOIRE FOR BLACK (Jouni Yrjölä &
Jussi Tella)
Two experienced Finnish players have described an exciting repertoire
based on the move 1...d6 in reply to whatever White's first move
happens to be. .... The repertoire is based around the Pirc Defence
and the variations 1 d4 d6 2 c4 e5 and 1 d4 d6 2 Nf3 Bg4, which fit
seamlessly together with 1...d6 systems against White's various flank
openings.
You can find it on most online bookstores or www.gambitbooks.com.
David