I've been playing for a few months now and usually just play whatever i feel like. I am pretty sure I am at the point where I need to start setting up a opening repertoire. I've already settled on the Ruy Lopez as my Main Weapon because I enjoy it, but I don't know what to play as black though. I prefer the standard 1. e4, e5 2. d4, d5 classical openings but choosing a main defense has been difficult. I really like the Petroff defense, but don't know if its a good idea to start diving into that opening due to the mass amounts of theory (I have no problem studying it, just seems it's not generally recommended at my level). I have no idea what d4 d5 opening to play, and i don't know what to do against 1 c4 for Nf3. If i had to tell someone what kind of player i am i'd say 60/40 tactical/positional or depends on the day. I feel really lossed lol. I went to the library and found a few opening repertoire books. One by Emms who uses the Bishop's Opening, and Another One based off the Scotch, but I'm not a fan of all there choices on the white side. As far as the black pieces I didn't find much on classical or at least a repertoire for the classical approach.
My Repertoire so far for White
Ruy Lopez
Open Sicilians
Alekhine Exchange
French Terrasch (I had to learn this awhile ago cause 1. ... e6 used to be an auto loss lol)
Pirc/Modern 150 Attack
Caro-Kann ??? (I never settled on a way to fight the Caro-Kann)
Scandinavian ??? (Used to play Blackmar-Diemer but need something more solid)
Black 1. e4, e5
I like the Giuoco Piano against the Italian and the Archangel variation against the Ruy Lopez( I learned these variations naturally by the way. I had no idea people had been playing these openings for 100's of years which i thought was pretty cool), but I am curious about the Petroff and what higher rated players think.
Black 1. d4, d5
Something based off the QGD. I have no idea where to start with this. I see d4 maybe 25% of time so I haven't really developed anything.
Black 1. Nf3 and 1. c4
I also don't see these very often and also have nothing for these openings either then winging it, and hope i out chess my opponent.
Lastly i want a coffee shop opening for causal play is was thinking King's Gambit but the book at the Library was 600 pages by John Shaw lol Maybe another gambit opening with slightly less theory lol? Or should i just go for it?
My Repertoire so far for White
Ruy Lopez
Open Sicilians
Alekhine Exchange
French Terrasch (I had to learn this awhile ago cause 1. ... e6 used to be an auto loss lol)
Pirc/Modern 150 Attack
Caro-Kann ??? (I never settled on a way to fight the Caro-Kann)
Scandinavian ??? (Used to play Blackmar-Diemer but need something more solid)
Black 1. e4, e5
I like the Giuoco Piano against the Italian and the Archangel variation against the Ruy Lopez( I learned these variations naturally by the way. I had no idea people had been playing these openings for 100's of years which i thought was pretty cool), but I am curious about the Petroff and what higher rated players think.
Black 1. d4, d5
Something based off the QGD. I have no idea where to start with this. I see d4 maybe 25% of time so I haven't really developed anything.
Black 1. Nf3 and 1. c4
I also don't see these very often and also have nothing for these openings either then winging it, and hope i out chess my opponent.
Lastly i want a coffee shop opening for causal play is was thinking King's Gambit but the book at the Library was 600 pages by John Shaw lol Maybe another gambit opening with slightly less theory lol? Or should i just go for it?