- Blind mode tutorial
lichess.org
Donate

complex openings

#1

hey, how to learn chess opening repertoires...? i'm new to this thing

hey, how to learn chess opening repertoires...? i'm new to this thing
#2

I recommend to find the opening you want by watching master games or great classics, then repeat the variation you want until you remember it by heart.

It's not very complicated, but it takes a little time

I recommend to find the opening you want by watching master games or great classics, then repeat the variation you want until you remember it by heart. It's not very complicated, but it takes a little time
#3

For many, a good starting point (for openings) would be:
"... For beginning players, [the book, Discovering Chess Openings by GM Emms,] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
https://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Chess-Openings-Building-Principles/dp/1857444191?asin=1857444191&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
"... A typical way of choosing an opening repertoire is to copy the openings used by a player one admires. ... However, what is good at world-championship level is not always the best choice at lower levels of play, and it is often a good idea to choose a 'model' who is nearer your own playing strength. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"... Once you identify an opening you really like and wish to learn in more depth, then should you pick up a book on a particular opening or variation. Start with ones that explain the opening variations and are not just meant for advanced players. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2001)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626180930/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman06.pdf
"... For new players, I cannot recommend books that use [an encyclopedic] type of presentation [of opening theory], because the explanatory prose that elaborates typical plans and ideas is usually absent, thus leaving the student without any clear idea why certain moves are played or even preferred over other apparently equivalent moves. .... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)
"... Overall, I would advise most players to stick to a fairly limited range of openings, and not to worry about learning too much by heart. ... the average player only needs to know a limited amount about the openings he plays. Providing he understands the main aims of the opening, a few typical plans and a handful of basic variations, that is enough. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"... Review each of your games, identifying opening (and other) mistakes with the goal of not repeatedly making the same mistake. ... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ... Read many annotated game collections ... By looking at entire games, the aspiring player learns about openings, middlegames, and endgames all at one fell swoop. Playing through annotated games spurs improvement as the reader learns how good players consistently handle common positions and problems. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf
Some of us think that it can be useful to use books like First Steps: 1 e4 e5, Logical Chess, and My First Chess Opening Repertoire for White as sources of games with explanations intended for those just starting to learn about an opening.
“... [First Steps: 1 e4 e5] is a fun and informative book. ...” (2018)
https://chesscafe.com/book-reviews/first-steps-1-e4-e5-by-john-emms/
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7790.pdf
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books
https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640?asin=0713484640&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9033.pdf
"... I am not a big fan of weaker players memorizing lots of opening lines they will never play. However, it is quite a different issue to spend a small amount of time learning how to play your openings a little better each time they occur. A long journey begins with a single step. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2005)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627023809/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman50.pdf

For many, a good starting point (for openings) would be: "... For beginning players, [the book, Discovering Chess Openings by GM Emms,] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf https://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Chess-Openings-Building-Principles/dp/1857444191?asin=1857444191&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1 "... A typical way of choosing an opening repertoire is to copy the openings used by a player one admires. ... However, what is good at world-championship level is not always the best choice at lower levels of play, and it is often a good idea to choose a 'model' who is nearer your own playing strength. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008) "... Once you identify an opening you really like and wish to learn in more depth, then should you pick up a book on a particular opening or variation. Start with ones that explain the opening variations and are not just meant for advanced players. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2001) https://web.archive.org/web/20140626180930/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman06.pdf "... For new players, I cannot recommend books that use [an encyclopedic] type of presentation [of opening theory], because the explanatory prose that elaborates typical plans and ideas is usually absent, thus leaving the student without any clear idea why certain moves are played or even preferred over other apparently equivalent moves. .... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010) "... Overall, I would advise most players to stick to a fairly limited range of openings, and not to worry about learning too much by heart. ... the average player only needs to know a limited amount about the openings he plays. Providing he understands the main aims of the opening, a few typical plans and a handful of basic variations, that is enough. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008) "... Review each of your games, identifying opening (and other) mistakes with the goal of not repeatedly making the same mistake. ... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ... Read many annotated game collections ... By looking at entire games, the aspiring player learns about openings, middlegames, and endgames all at one fell swoop. Playing through annotated games spurs improvement as the reader learns how good players consistently handle common positions and problems. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf Some of us think that it can be useful to use books like First Steps: 1 e4 e5, Logical Chess, and My First Chess Opening Repertoire for White as sources of games with explanations intended for those just starting to learn about an opening. “... [First Steps: 1 e4 e5] is a fun and informative book. ...” (2018) https://chesscafe.com/book-reviews/first-steps-1-e4-e5-by-john-emms/ https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7790.pdf https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640?asin=0713484640&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1 https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9033.pdf "... I am not a big fan of weaker players memorizing lots of opening lines they will never play. However, it is quite a different issue to spend a small amount of time learning how to play your openings a little better each time they occur. A long journey begins with a single step. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2005) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627023809/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman50.pdf
#5

I recommend e4 for your level, its more straight forward and simple (compared to d4, c4 or other moves IMO).

against e5, you might want to try danish (very powerful under 2200) or Italian if you want to be more solid (also scotch, vienna are all decent)

Against c6, I recommend you to play 1.e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3! (fantasy variation) which is not that hard to learn, and if black didn't study about that variation it will be easy for you to gain an advantage fast

for c5, I recommend you the alapin sicilian, (1.e4 c5 2. c3!) with same reasons (easy & easy advantage lot of times)

Lastly for e6, I recommend Horwitz attack (aggressive gambit, 1.e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3. Nc3) for you

==========
other first moves by black (like d5, g6, b6, Nc6, Nf6) ==> Just play for the center and castle and youll be fine

I recommend e4 for your level, its more straight forward and simple (compared to d4, c4 or other moves IMO). against e5, you might want to try danish (very powerful under 2200) or Italian if you want to be more solid (also scotch, vienna are all decent) Against c6, I recommend you to play 1.e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3! (fantasy variation) which is not that hard to learn, and if black didn't study about that variation it will be easy for you to gain an advantage fast for c5, I recommend you the alapin sicilian, (1.e4 c5 2. c3!) with same reasons (easy & easy advantage lot of times) Lastly for e6, I recommend Horwitz attack (aggressive gambit, 1.e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3. Nc3) for you ========== other first moves by black (like d5, g6, b6, Nc6, Nf6) ==> Just play for the center and castle and youll be fine

This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.