19 May 07
Originally posted by Dance Master MCBasically it is meant to gain counterplay on the queenside.
I'm starting to study the game of chess extensively(and no, it's not because my rating is 850) I read reinfields book(s) and I came across the Sicilian, I didn't get a clear understanding of what the purpose of this somewhat popular opening is for, could someone please explain it?
~DMMC
19 May 07
Basically, in the opening phase of the game, both players want to control the center for squares on the board. A common way, if allowed, is for White to control the center by moves both their king pawn and queen pawn up two spaces (1. e4 and 2. d4). Black normally doesn't allow this and plays either his king pawn up two spaces (1..e5) or his queen's bishop pawn up two spaces (1..c5, the Sicilian Defense). It's about controlling the center and stopping White from taking the whole center.
19 May 07
Originally posted by Dance Master MCstriking against the center from the side.
I'm starting to study the game of chess extensively(and no, it's not because my rating is 850) I read reinfields book(s) and I came across the Sicilian, I didn't get a clear understanding of what the purpose of this somewhat popular opening is for, could someone please explain it?
~DMMC
it's irrelevant on your level though. check back on it at around 1600-1800, before that openings are completely useless.
train tactics, every day. that's what's keeping you under 1600. until you can survive games without tactical mistakes, everything else is useless.
everything.
20 May 07
Originally posted by wormwoodcould you go into specifics?? i think this is slowing me down...a book thats good??
striking against the center from the side.
it's irrelevant on your level though. check back on it at around 1600-1800, before that openings are completely useless.
train tactics, every day. that's what's keeping you under 1600. until you can survive games without tactical mistakes, everything else is useless.
everything.
20 May 07
2 edits
Originally posted by jvanhineHere's a specific. When making a move, play it out on the analysis board and then play every capture your opponent can make on the next turn. It doesn't matter how trivial that capture is; play it and analyze the position after that move; in an instant you will completely cease dropping pieces, learn to look for sacrifices, and improve your board vision and intuition. As for books, don't bother until you're at least 1500 - 1600.
could you go into specifics?? i think this is slowing me down...a book thats good??
20 May 07
Originally posted by bassoI started concentrating on endgame around 1800, and I think that's given me a lot more insight to middlegame as well. same thing with pawn structure.
OK, wormwood and Ramiri (and others): What about when you do get to 1600, what then? In general, I struggle with the middle game, and have trouble formulating a plan. Do I study strategy, middle game, pawn structure, master games...? Thanks.
strategy & planning in general are best learned on using huge amounts of time on your CC games I think. master games are great as well, but your own on-going games just mean so much more to you that it's easier to motivate yourself. take your games very seriously, make absolutely sure you don't miss important things. never give up easily. wreck your brain on trying to extract those good plans out of your positions, don't give up easily. slowly you'll see more and finding the good plans will come easier. the more effort you put on your games, the more you'll gain from them.
it seems to me that most games on 1800-level are still decided by tactics though, so it really pays off to continue training that area as well. but other things become gradually more important.
I'm also becoming more and more convinced that books are mostly just entertainment, or even a distraction. you read them because you're interested in the theory, but you hardly ever practice those things enough to actually internalize the knowledge. it's all fun, interesting and even somewhat beneficial, but what actually counts is the time spent on moving pawns & pieces.
21 May 07
Originally posted by wormwoodAmazing that you would say that, wormwood, as that is exactly what I am presently doing. I take forever in making my moves -- looking, looking, trying to see what's right in front of me, trying to eke out an understanding of the position. All the while, I am thinking my time would be better spent hitting the books -- studying more and playing less. And then you recommend pretty much just what I am doing! Incredible. Thanks for your input.
strategy & planning in general are best learned on using huge amounts of time on your CC games I think. master games are great as well, but your own on-going games just mean so much more to you that it's easier to motivate yourself. take your games very seriously, make absolutely sure you don't miss important things. never give up easily. wreck your ...[text shortened]... omewhat beneficial, but what actually counts is the time spent on moving pawns & pieces.