Hello,
I've discovered the Grand Prix Attack recently and I now love to play against the Sicilian because of it. I found a video explaining the principles and ideas behind it, the moves are very easy to play: Nf3, O-O, d3, Bc4 or Bc5, Qe1,... and the idea is simple: attack black's king.
I know this opening is nothing special and I would get crushed aginst a stronger player, but I like the fact that I have some understanding of this opening without knowing any variation.
So my question is: what are the best places to find the ideas behind opening and not every variation and move order?
Great question. I would like to learn about openings this way as well.
I think if you can learn an opening in the abstract to look for ideas and use your skills at calculation of concrete positions, it is possible to be quite creative.
I hope you get some good answers to your question.
I think the only thing you can do, it's study the grand masters games.
There are plenty of videos out there about openings that explain the basic plans of various openings. The only real way you can develop these ideas further is to work alongside a book, analyzing GM games move for move through their openings and asking "why was this played, what was the idea?" like Tassel said, and basically play a lot of games with an opening to start to see the ideas unfold. There are no shortcuts here, but I highly recommend learning about pawn structures, because these generally help you understand the opening plans.
First, Every Chess Opening has its own Plan and Strategic Chess Ideas. Here are a few links for general opening principles which you might be interested in:
Basic Opening Ideas:
http://www.chess.com/article/view/basic-opening-ideasLesson 2. Ideas Behind the Chess Openings:
http://www.chess.com/blog/kamabarus/lesson-2-the-ideas-behind-the-chess-openingLesson 2. Ideas Behind the Chess Openings:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE3XQXIZTGYHere are some Chess opening books:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_opening_bookBooks.
the openings and defences you deploy depend on the fact you r a club player, bar player, online ....
In a club there are many players who have played the same opening systems and replies by black since decades. You gotta walk around the club looking for what gets played during rated games. also you can research the archives and or magazines of the club for verification.
Why? Avoiding to play positions that the other prefers, or knows better. So I play e4 d4 Nf3 c4 even f4 depending on positions or lack of experience that I want to avoid.
I'm a fan of thechesswebsite on Youtube. Short videos on openings and opening traps that I think you would like
Here are some opening theory videos by GJ_Chess that I highly recommend. Dirty Chess Tricks to win fast:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI1xnER7iio&list=PLz_KK5ifYNx00JXwZ8WNTb4l7FY-xI1d0Simplest & cheapest: Go through the line given in your book/video and attempt to assign meaning to the move prescribed. Why did that move accomplish? With what plan in mind did white/black play this move? If you can answer this questions, memorizing is a moot point. You'll understand the concepts (why?) rather than the facts (2. f4!). :-)
