25 May 07
I am a novice. I've tried Sicilian as black but don't have enough control over it to win against someone solid. Often as white, I have to play against it, so I might as well learn some of the lines.
Should I look at Dragon,Yugoslav,???
What are better black openings for beg-intermed. players, and why?
Ladyviola66
25 May 07
Originally posted by ladyviola66Hi.
I am a novice. I've tried Sicilian as black but don't have enough control over it to win against someone solid. Often as white, I have to play against it, so I might as well learn some of the lines.
Should I look at Dragon,Yugoslav,???
What are better black openings for beg-intermed. players, and why?
Ladyviola66
The best black opening is the one you feel most comfortable with.
There are a ton of variations to choose from within the Sicilian. How would you describe your style of play? Do you like to be aggressive? Or do you like playing it safe?
25 May 07
1 edit
I started out playing the dragon... 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 and there are vast resources out there on the internet to help you along the way. Stick to the main lines and you should make it into the mid-game... if white deviates, try to gain the initiative.
if you see... 1.e4 c5 2.Bc4 play an e6 sicillian.
Now, I think I am going to play the najdorf... I beat an 1800 with it once during blitz.
25 May 07
1 edit
Originally posted by exigentskyNothing is harder to play than the dragon. Not even the Najdorf IMO.
Like Kasparov, I would recommend the Dragon/Accelerated Dragon. This structure is essential to understanding the Sicilian (and often key in Anti-Sicilian configurations). Moreover, it is very active and not so hard to play.
Beginners should try the Taimanov.
EDIT, actually, maybe the Svesh is harder to play.
25 May 07
The post that was quoted here has been removedI'm giving a 1000 a tutorial at the moment & here's an in-game message I just sent:
After learning all the moves & rules the next step I think is to learn tactics. Winning chess tactics by Yasser Sierawan is probably the only book you'd need. Learning particular openings & strategy should follow after tactics I think. You can always use a database to help with your openings.
Before you move always ask yourself "why did he do that? - are there any threats etc?" If you learn tactics & solve puzzles this will help identify threats & help you create your own.
- Joined
- 03 Feb 07
- Moves
- 199223
25 May 07
Originally posted by exigentskyTime was in the 80s that nobody would play the dragon because of the Yugoslav attack, which seemed simple: castle queenside, trade dark squared bishops, and swarm the king side with your pawns.
Like Kasparov, I would recommend the Dragon/Accelerated Dragon. This structure is essential to understanding the Sicilian (and often key in Anti-Sicilian configurations). Moreover, it is very active and not so hard to play.
Apparently in my 20 years of absence from competitive play, the dragon's back in vogue. So what happened to the Yugoslav?
26 May 07
Originally posted by ladyviola66Hey ladyviola,
I am a novice. I've tried Sicilian as black but don't have enough control over it to win against someone solid. Often as white, I have to play against it, so I might as well learn some of the lines.
Should I look at Dragon,Yugoslav,???
What are better black openings for beg-intermed. players, and why?
Ladyviola66
I'm violinpatrick! Maybe we can find another violinist and a cellist and form a redhotpawn string quartet.