How to memorize chess openings and traps • page 1/2 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

I am always falling into the same sets of traps and make same sets of blunders in my 5+3 games.
If I make an opening blunder, I will remember that for a few days, then forget it, until making the same blunder later on, and the renember "ah I have made that mistake before".

Any advice that how can I remember opening tree more and longer?

I am always falling into the same sets of traps and make same sets of blunders in my 5+3 games. If I make an opening blunder, I will remember that for a few days, then forget it, until making the same blunder later on, and the renember "ah I have made that mistake before". Any advice that how can I remember opening tree more and longer?

DoomedBishop

#2

Do you feel that you are playing with the right time limit(s)? You might want to play with more time on the clock while you are studying openings and traps. Figure out why moves are made on your own, but get help when you are stumped. Once you have truly memorized an opening variation, try it out with the faster time limits. If you have trouble remembering, go back (temporarily) to a slower time limit. Now, I am not saying rapid and blitz don't have their places...they do. However, you need to walk before you run. You seem to be pretty good. Try classical time limits...reasonable time limits, however--don't play with an hour per side with 30 seconds add-on time per move. That might be too much time for you. I hope this helps. The best thing to do, come to think of it, would be to hire a chess coach who is willing to teach you a few openings and traps (and how to avoid traps). You could probably benefit from training from an Expert (or higher if you need someone more highly ranked).

DoomedBishop

#3

@LouisXXIV

I still make the mistake of playing mostly rated games, when it is perfectly acceptable and within the rules to play unrated games. I recommend that you practice openings while playing unrated games until you have better learned them. When you are ready, you might be able to defeat a higher-rated player in a rated game.

I used to go to a chess club in my city and I found that I was not good enough to play on the ladder. My rating fell, and I will have a bear of a time trying to increase it. The chess club does not allow one to play someone much higher than her/his rating, so, if I want hope of raising my rating, I will have to win most of my games. Someday, I will have to take my own advice and play a boatload of unrated games until I am more confident I can defeat similar players in rated games.

@LouisXXIV I still make the mistake of playing mostly rated games, when it is perfectly acceptable and within the rules to play unrated games. I recommend that you practice openings while playing unrated games until you have better learned them. When you are ready, you might be able to defeat a higher-rated player in a rated game. I used to go to a chess club in my city and I found that I was not good enough to play on the ladder. My rating fell, and I will have a bear of a time trying to increase it. The chess club does not allow one to play someone much higher than her/his rating, so, if I want hope of raising my rating, I will have to win most of my games. Someday, I will have to take my own advice and play a boatload of unrated games until I am more confident I can defeat similar players in rated games.

fwhchess edited

#4

There is no point in playing the line if you don't understand the position. Your understanding of the position should help you to avoid mistakes.

play a variety of time controls.. Thematic correspondence chess, focusing on your opening repertoire, should help you.

There is no point in playing the line if you don't understand the position. Your understanding of the position should help you to avoid mistakes. play a variety of time controls.. Thematic correspondence chess, focusing on your opening repertoire, should help you.

lazzaknight

#5

When I started playing chess, I immediately used memory-assisting software such as ANKI or Chessable. Unless you have near-perfect memory like Magnus, I advise you to understand your own brain's limitations and use any available leverage to assist with that.

Suprateem11

#6

Play those openings repeatedly

dnowmects

#7

@LouisXXIV said in #1:

Any advice that how can I remember opening tree more and longer?

You are wasting your time trying to memorize an opening. The game is reactive. Focus on learning good reactions. There is not a single opening that will overcome a lack of understanding of the principles of the game.

@LouisXXIV said in #1: > Any advice that how can I remember opening tree more and longer? You are wasting your time trying to memorize an opening. The game is reactive. Focus on learning good reactions. There is not a single opening that will overcome a lack of understanding of the principles of the game.

swimmerBill

#8

"Any advice that how can I remember opening tree more and longer?"

My suggestion:
Make a study adding in a lot of GM games where your opening is played.
Annotate them yourself explaining the moves, alternate moves and how to respond to them and the ''What if 's?''.
Then look it up in a book and add the book annotations / corrections.
.
After the opening,
Make comments on where the pieces go and typical plans in the MG.
After a few hundred of these you'll play the whole game better.
-
Bill

"Any advice that how can I remember opening tree more and longer?" My suggestion: Make a study adding in a lot of GM games where your opening is played. Annotate them yourself explaining the moves, alternate moves and how to respond to them and the ''What if 's?''. Then look it up in a book and add the book annotations / corrections. . After the opening, Make comments on where the pieces go and typical plans in the MG. After a few hundred of these you'll play the whole game better. - Bill

sgtlaugh

#9

There is no need to memorize openings. Memorizing won't help you. If you are trying to learn a new opening, consider the following.

Try to understand the main theme and essence, instead of memorizing the lines.
The most important thing is to practice playing games with it and analyze it afterward.
Don't focus on learning too many openings simultaneously.

There is no need to memorize openings. Memorizing won't help you. If you are trying to learn a new opening, consider the following. 1. Try to understand the main theme and essence, instead of memorizing the lines. 2. The most important thing is to practice playing games with it and analyze it afterward. 3. Don't focus on learning too many openings simultaneously.

crtex

#10

In addition to what others have said - it is better to memorize a thinking system rather than opening lines. A thinking system should be able to be applied to any position, and with enough practice it can become second nature. For example, your thinking system should include safety check AKA consider the opponent's response to your move, to avoid blunders.

With enough experience, you will be able to play more positions from memory, but that would not be through rote memorization.

In addition to what others have said - it is better to memorize a thinking system rather than opening lines. A thinking system should be able to be applied to any position, and with enough practice it can become second nature. For example, your thinking system should include safety check AKA consider the opponent's response to your move, to avoid blunders. With enough experience, you will be able to play more positions from memory, but that would not be through rote memorization.