Here's my current strategy for getting better:
I play clan games pretty conservatively, and effectively.
I play other games against higher ranked players in order to learn. I usually get my ass kicked, but I'm noticing new things. Like how the entire game can rest on one space on the board...miss a move and lose the game.
I feel this method is working, but what else should I be doing?
Originally posted by afalzChess: Understanding the Sicilian Scheveningen (Keres Attack)
Here's my current strategy for getting better:
I play clan games pretty conservatively, and effectively.
I play other games against higher ranked players in order to learn. I usually get my ass kicked, but I'm noticing new things. Like how the entire game can rest on one space on the board...miss a move and lose the game.
I feel this method is working, but what else should I be doing?
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e6
6 g4 Line
What's the game plan for White?
White intends to gain space on the kingside
( 6 g4, 7 h4, h5) and pressurize Black's game
in that sector (8 Rh1-g1, 9 gxh5 10 Bg5).
In the center, he aims to take advantage
of the half open d-file ( 11 Qd1-d2, 13 0-0-0)
and execute an appropriate f2-f4 advance.
However, the isolated h-pawn could be a
potential weakness in his set-up.
What's the game plan for Black?
Black wants to contain White on the kingside
( 6 ... h6, 8 ... h5) and retaliate on the
opposite wing, beginning with 12 ... a6,
followed by 13 ... Bd7 and 15 ... b5.
To give the attack more punch, he intends
to play ... Nc6-e5-c4. As always, a timely
... e5 or ... d5 is crucial to his survival
in the center. With regards to king safety,
... 0-0-0 is an option, although it's not
uncommon for the monarch to remain
seated on e8.
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Dragon
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6
6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 Bc4 Bd7
10 O-O-O Line
What's the game plan for White?
White's focus is a kingside attack formulated
around the following ideas:
* Moving the bishop on e3 to h6, where it can
capture the bishop on g7. If Black's bishop
takes on h6, White's Queen can recapture, and,
subsequently work with the h1 rook to attack
the h-file, once that file is opened up.
* Playing h2-h4-h5 so as to tempt ... Nf6xh5.
Thus, White opens up the h-file and enables
g2-g4 with gain of time. If Black doesn't play
... Nf6xh5, White can always play a timely
h5xg6, and still get the use of an open h-file.
Additionally, if White's bishop is still on the
a2-g8 diagonal, where it pins the f7 pawn to the
King, Black is forced to respond to h5xg6 with
... h7xg6. Thereafter, g6 is open to attack.
* Moving the c3 knight to d5, where it will take
the knight on f6, thus eliminating a key
defender of h7.
Once the h-file is opened up by the h2-h4-h5
maneuver, and the g7 bishop and f6 knight are
eliminated by Be3-h6-Bxg7 and Nc3-d5-Nxf6,
White threatens to bring his Queen to h6 and
mate Black on the h7 or h8 square.
If Black impedes the above strategy by ... h5,
White can always try to play for a timely e4-e5
central break.
What's the game plan for Black?
Black needs to mount a queenside attack by:
* Playing ... Nc6 and ... Bd7, as per move 8 and 9.
* Posting the c6 knight on c4 via ... Nc6-e5-c4.
* Taking control of the half open c-file by
playing ... Rac8 or ... Rfc8. Rfc8 is usually
preferable because it allows the g7 bishop to
withdraw to h8, after White plays Be3-h6. Also,
a rook on c8 facilitates ... Nc6-e5-c4 because
it prevents an unchallenged Bxc4.
* Developing the Queen to a5 or c7. From a5 the
Queen eyes a2 and c3 and from c7 it adds to the
build up of pressure along the half open c-file.
* Advancing ... a7-a6-a5-a4 and ... b7-b5-b4 in
order to augment the g7 bishop.
* Black also needs to push ... h7-h5 in response
to h4. The idea is to slow down White's attack.
* In some instances, Black can exchange the
rook on c8 for the knight on c3 in an
effort to undermine White's pawn center.
After the exchange sacrifice, Black has
... Nf6xe4, attacking the c3 pawn and the
Queen on d2.
Chess: The Unsounded Center
What exactly makes this region unique?
White's possession and control of d4 and e4
means:
(i) Black is unable to use c5-e5 plus d5-f5
(ii) He stands the risk of being pushed back
by d4-d5 and e4-e5
d4-e4 therefore gives White an offensive plus
territorial advantage. If he can get in c4 and
f4, his central presence becomes intimidating:
The same is true if Black is ruler of d5-e5.
White's home ground is invaded at d4 and f4
plus c4 and e4. He may also lose ground to
d5-d4 and e5-e4.
If Black can manage c5-d5-e5-f5 his
central set-up also becomes threatening:
In either one of the above cases, the side
controlling the center usually aims to first
secure it before assaulting; the opposing one
often thrives to weaken and destroy it before
offending.
In short, an imposing center is both a boon
and a responsibility.
DETERMINING STRATEGY THROUGH COMPUTER ANALYSIS:
SICILIAN DEFENSE
1 e4 c5 2 f4:
2 ... Nf6 3 Nc3 d5 4 e5 d4 5 exf6.
2 ... d5 3 exd5 Qxd5 4 Nc3 Qd6 5 Nf3 Qxf4.
2 ... Nc6 3 Nc3 e6 4 Nf3 d5 5 Bb5 d4 6 Ne2 a6
7 Bc4.
(1) Benko Gambit
chessbenkogambit101.blogspot.com
(2) Caro-Kann Defense
chesscaro-kanndefense.blogspot.com
(3) Center Counter
chessalekhinesdefense.blogspot.com
(4) Elephant Gambit
chessbenonidefense.blogspot.com
(5) English Opening
chessenglishopening.blogspot.com
(6) French Defense
chessfrenchdefense.blogspot.com
(7) Grob's Attack
chessgrobsattack101.blogspot.com
(8) Nimzo-Indian Defense
chessnimzoindiandefense.blogspot.com
(9) Queen's Gambit
chessqueensgambitopening.blogspot.com
(10) Ruy Lopez Opening
chessruylopezopening.blogspot.com
(11) Sicilian Scheveningen
chessqueensindiandefense.blogspot.com
(12) Trompowsky Opening
chessalbincountergambit.blogspot.com
Originally posted by afalzStudying books and videos, and training with a private coach have helped many players.
Here's my current strategy for getting better:
I play clan games pretty conservatively, and effectively.
I play other games against higher ranked players in order to learn. I usually get my ass kicked, but I'm noticing new things. Like how the entire game can rest on one space on the board...miss a move and lose the game.
I feel this method is working, but what else should I be doing?
Originally posted by afalz🙂 If it's working don't mess with it.
Here's my current strategy for getting better:
I play clan games pretty conservatively, and effectively.
I play other games against higher ranked players in order to learn. I usually get my ass kicked, but I'm noticing new things. Like how the entire game can rest on one space on the board...miss a move and lose the game.
I feel this method is working, but what else should I be doing?
Originally posted by afalz4 key tips.
Here's my current strategy for getting better:
I play clan games pretty conservatively, and effectively.
I play other games against higher ranked players in order to learn. I usually get my ass kicked, but I'm noticing new things. Like how the entire game can rest on one space on the board...miss a move and lose the game.
I feel this method is working, but what else should I be doing?
1) Study some opening theory. The best approach is a book on opening principles (NOT just learning opening theory, which teaches you nothing about what to do when your opponent goes 'off line'.
2) Study strategy (what you need to do) and tactics (how to do it). There are many good books. Tactics in particular give you the toolbox to change the game in your favour in the middlegame
3) Study endgames. Some would say this comes first. It certainly needs to feature in your early development, as not only will it help you win endgames, it will inform your decision making in the middlegame. Again - there are lots of good books
4) Concentrate. This seems out of place and almost sarcastic. I estimate that there are 200 points of difference between a player that plays within 10 seconds, and players that study the board for 5-10 minutes per move. To play the best move you can, you need to have the best understanding of the position you can. This doesn't come in 10 seconds.
Good luck my man 🙂
I would certainly not advise you to study openings! It is much more helpful to just play the moves that you are comfortable with and which you understand. You could try some 'beginner' books/courses about weak vs strong bishop, bishop pair versus knight pairs, strong fields and weak fields, etc.
As soon as you understand the above and you are able to recognize these positions/themes on the board, you will be able to form plans on how to exploit advantages or defend disadvantages. Once you have a plan, it is important to remain flexible. If a new weak spot opens up which brings you even more advantages (permanent or temporary), you should reconsider changing your former plan. In the end the real plan is winning, right?
Also studying simple end games will aid you in rising a significant number of points. If you are able to recognize standard winning positions, you might be able to force an exchange to get an endgame with, for instance, the bishop pair + 3 pawns versus knight pair + 3 pawns.
When you have enough experience to form and understand your own plans, you might consider to find, study and try openings that are in line with your type of play. It is much easier to judge if you are more a positional type of play or tactical type if you do this without deep opening knowledge.
Originally posted by jeroennI dont agree with your opening comment. I have seen many a beginner study tactics and strategy, but get totally dispondent at their inability to survive the first 10 moves against reasonable opposition.
I would certainly not advise you to study openings! It is much more helpful to just play the moves that you are comfortable with and which you understand. You could try some 'beginner' books/courses about weak vs strong bishop, bishop pair versus knight pairs, strong fields and weak fields, etc.
As soon as you understand the above and you are able to recog ...[text shortened]... more a positional type of play or tactical type if you do this without deep opening knowledge.
There is no point in studying how to utilise your army if you dont learn how to deploy it. I do however repeat the point that learning theory is not the way to proceed. Far better is to learn opening guidelines (rapid development, control of the centre, pawn breaks... etc)
You seem to forget that when you understand why certain opening moves are played, you can do really well without actually learning openings. You will only fail in the opening if you do not understand what you are doing. And if you are referring to opening traps, then you forget that recognizing these is part of tactical training.
Originally posted by jeroennI think we are actually agreeing. I am not referring to traps, or obscure opening lines. I am saying that one needs to understand the principles that all sound openings are based on. This way it doesnt matter what moves ones opponent makes, you will have an understanding of how to proceed.
You seem to forget that when you understand why certain opening moves are played, you can do really well without actually learning openings. You will only fail in the opening if you do not understand what you are doing. And if you are referring to opening traps, then you forget that recognizing these is part of tactical training.
I have never learned opening theory in any depth. Like you, I am not doing so badly. I see many players in the 1500 and 1600s who know every variation of certain lines. Perhaps they are assigning disproportionate amounts of time to openings, when tactics and strategy mean more.
I don't think there's anything at all wrong with someone beyond the beginner stage studying openings, provided the study is appropriate for their level of chess ability. Thus, for most of us the best way to study an opening is to go through well annotated games where the particular opening you want to play is used.
Doing that kind of opening study is extremely useful because you will learn the kinds of middle game and endgame positions your chosen opening leads to, and get a feeling for how they should be played. In the process you will learn both general middle and endgame strategy, but also some of the strategy specific to your opening that will guide you later on in situations where you otherwise would have been left wondering what to do.
As an example, lets say in your chosen opening with white you frequently get an Isolated Queen's Pawn (IQP). As you play through many annotated games with this opening you'll start to learn quite a lot about this common structure, about how white can try and exploit its advantages to gain space or use it to help build up an attack, and how black typically plays against it to try and prove its a weakness and to blockade and win it.
You can either go through the openings index of a general book of annotated games (or database) to study the opening using this method, or buy a book for your opening where the author has made use of many complete annotated games to help teach the opening.
Really, contrary to what many people say opening study can be very beneficial so long as its done properly.