Questions relating to the first few moves in a game
2
votes
1answer
5 views
Bishop's Opening, Berlin Defense, white goes Qf3; how to exploit with Black?
So: 1.e4e5 2.Bc4Nf6 3.Qf3
Qf3 should be a mistake for white, but I just can't get a decent position whenever I play this with Black. If I go on to castle kingside the queen and bishops are already ...
9
votes
3answers
252 views
What are white's plans in this position?
I'll skip the long explanation, but it's not uncommon for me to reach the following position as White out of the opening:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bb4+ 5.c3 dxc3 6.O-O cxb2 Bxb2
...
2
votes
0answers
58 views
Where can one get a large .bin opening book?
SCID uses .bin files as opening book format, but the opening books it has available on its site are rather small in size. Is there a better place to get larger .bin opening books? Alternatively, does ...
7
votes
3answers
99 views
At what point does the opening end, and middle game begin?
Just curious if there's a set of guidelines to determine when a player can call the opening pretty much done, and move into the middle game. I know some rules of the opening that would apply are
...
3
votes
3answers
110 views
How does one respond to 3.d4 after playing the Sicilian?
I was black in this game, and white went ahead and played 3.d4 even though I clearly had it guarded, however once played, white now has the queen as an additional defender, and the queen was able to ...
3
votes
1answer
40 views
Does playing the King's Indian against the Benko put black at a foreseeable disadvantage?
I am currently in a turn based game where white opened with 1.g3. I clearly see that white probably (at least white should) will fiancetto his king's bishop on the next move, aiming to control the ...
3
votes
0answers
73 views
What is the best way to maintain an opening repertoire in electronic form?
I am torn between two options:
a) having a database with separate games (e.g. in pgn files, or any one of ChessBase, Chess Assistant or SCID database format), where each game would be a subvariation ...
3
votes
1answer
53 views
Is this a popular variation/continuation of the Sicilian Defence?
I've grown fond of playing this opening with black against e4. I know it starts with the Sicilian but if it has a name or some background that would be nice to know.
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 ...
3
votes
2answers
78 views
Is c5 a key move in an opening where white begins with d4?
In one game between world class players, (Alekhine and Rubinstein), the game began 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 ...
When Rubenstein played 3... a6?, Alekhine grabbed the opportunity to reply 4. c5! ...
5
votes
3answers
121 views
Analyzing this opening I played
I just played what I believe was a set of moves that gave me overwhelming advantage (I exchanged 2 minor pieces for rook + 2 pawns + prevented castling + doubled pawns + exposed enemy king):
(I am ...
7
votes
1answer
77 views
How to best respond to an early black Qa5 in the Smith-Morra gambit?
I often play the Smith-Morra gambit. Recently I've been seeing black play an early Qa5, such as
[fen ""]
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Qa5 4. *
or
[fen ""]
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3 Qa5+ 4. *
It ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
Chess program that will play an opening against me?
Is there a chess program that will play a specific opening against me? The reason being is that I want to practice against the Ruy Lopez, for example and I want a computer to play up to Bb5. Is ...
8
votes
1answer
86 views
Scandinavian: 2. Nc3 d4
I started out with a simple opening: 1. e4 d5 2. Nc3 and then the computer played 2... d4, surprising me, as I had never encountered it before. Since then, I've been trying to analyse the possible ...
4
votes
2answers
93 views
What are the common themes in the Catalan?
I have looked over some of the main lines of the Catalan in MCO-15 and feel pretty lost as to what's going on in them. What are some of the key positions and goals for either side? Or is the opening ...
6
votes
1answer
65 views
How to counter 3. Nf3 f5 in the King's Gambit Declined
I've read about many of the basic variations of the KGD, e.g. these but none of of them mention the following from Black. This suggests to me that this move may be a mistake from black that I could ...
8
votes
3answers
139 views
Best reply to C46 Four knights, Italian variation
I am a low rating player and I would like to understand why 5 Nxe4 is consider to be the best replay by white on the C46 Four knights, Italian variation opening against 4 Nxe4 by black. Instead of 5. ...
9
votes
5answers
138 views
How to play for a draw
In this video: Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen Round 1 - 2013 Candidates Chess Tournament
[FEN ""]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Bxd2+ 5.Qxd2
And now, Kevin said: "You can tell that the game is ...
10
votes
2answers
122 views
How to reach an open position in the 4 Knights Game without exchanging too much material?
I believe that 4 knights opening is the most popular opening, especially among average players. I play it a lot, that's why I want to analyse it. I'm an average player, so I hope you can help me.
...
8
votes
5answers
242 views
Openings - e4 vs d4
In more than 90% of chess games I play in, the first move is either e4 or d4. When I am black, I try to counter e4 with Caro-Kann and sicilian, and against d4 I usually just play d5 and see where it ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Thoughts on the Robatsch (Modern) Defense?
I heard from IM Andrew Martin that if you are unsure what to play as Black, you should play the following moves no matter what White plays (not sure I agree with him saying no matter what White plays ...
3
votes
2answers
98 views
Is it possible to play the Najdorf Defense if white played 1. d4?
After white plays 1. d4, is it still possible for black to play the Najdorf Defense?
Is it possible, for Black to play in a way in order to reach a Najdorf setup? If so, how should Black continue?
7
votes
3answers
176 views
What is a tabiya and what is their importance?
I've heard the term Tabiya used online though I've never really run into it in any chess book I've read. I have an idea of what the term means but I'm not sure I'm correct, so first I'll say what I ...
2
votes
3answers
131 views
Studying beyond the opening?
I was watching the following video on the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) - Variations with 3...a6. The video is almost 1.5 hours and it pretty much goes through all variations with 3...a6.
As I was going ...
4
votes
4answers
153 views
Can White play e4 followed by f3?
We know that 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 is a disaster for Black (Damiano Opening).
But White has an extra move. Can he therefore play 1. e4 e5 2. f3 ?
If Black replies 2... f6, White has 3. Ne2 (followed ...
6
votes
4answers
208 views
Are there good variations for White against the Sicilian that do not involve an early d4?
If White opens e4 and Black replies c5, that's the Sicilian defense. Typical next moves are 2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4, etc.
Are there good variations for White where he DOESN'T play d4?
I've heard ...
5
votes
2answers
153 views
Why is the Alekhine Defense named after Alekhine?
Alekhine, a world champion, has his name on the defense Nf6 in response to White's e4. But after e.g. 2. e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4. d4, White seems to have a good game.
Did Alekhine win any notable games ...
4
votes
1answer
102 views
What is the best defense for White against the Traxler Counter Attack?
I had posted the question Should Black avoid the Two Knights Defense because of the Fried Liver Attack? After seeing the Traxler Counter Attack from Black, it made me wonder if White should just avoid ...
6
votes
4answers
230 views
Why are the golden rules in chess openings true?
I was reading this Dutch article on chess openings, which basically states the following about openings:
Don't play the edge pawns
Don't move your knight to an edge
Don't use one piece too often
...
8
votes
2answers
236 views
What is a good, aggressive response against the Sicilian Defense?
I would like to learn a good response against the Sicilian defense (in your opinion), for both blitz and slower games.
I am looking for a more aggressive response, since it fits best my style. ...
5
votes
1answer
85 views
How should I play the Old Benoni Defense as both White and Black?
[FEN ""]
1. d4 c5 2. d5
A lot of people play it against me as black, and I am also interested in it for both sides.
What are some of the main lines? Also, what are some of the key positions and ...
9
votes
8answers
361 views
Good openings for a beginner (for white)
I am a beginner in chess and I like to play some of my friends who are basically at the same level. Usually who wins is based on who makes that one amazing (and lucky) move and quite frankly I want to ...
8
votes
2answers
79 views
What are some lines of the Queen's Gambit symmetrical variation for white?
Some people who I play always play the symmetrical variation, and I don't know how to play it for white.
[fen ""]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c5
2
votes
1answer
98 views
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Kloss Gambit (C57)
In my recent effort to play as many Evan's Gambit games and an ocassional Lolli Attack, I recently had this game as White:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nb4 6. Nc3 Nbxd5 ...
6
votes
3answers
149 views
How to blunt the Albin Counter Gambit?
I dislike open, highly tactical games. I wouldn't mind them so much if I won them, but that isn't what happens.
I was recently destroyed by the Albin Counter Gambit. I'm curious if there is a known ...
4
votes
2answers
96 views
A resource that shows how many ways an opening can be reached?
Is there a resource (book/online) that shows how many ways an opening can be reached?
9
votes
4answers
300 views
A variant in the French defence advance variation
Consider the following beginning, quite typical of the advance variation of the French defense:
[fen ""]
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3
On what I have seen on the web, the ...
2
votes
6answers
220 views
Simple (not deep in theory or moves) Openings for White and Black?
I am at the point where I want to learn some simple openings for White and Black. By simple, I mean, openings that do not have a deep theory and don't take a lot of moves to get into. Currently, I ...
4
votes
3answers
167 views
Why is 4…e5 not popular in the Smith-Morra Gambit?
When I encounter the Sicilian as White, I often will play the Smith-Morra Gambit. My opponent played 4...e5, but this does not appear to be a very popular move as there are only 2 games on ...
10
votes
6answers
232 views
Is learning opening theory necessary?
I have never studied opening theory. The closest I've gotten was briefly reading about several openings in books, but never memorizing or using any. While I haven't ever played in tournaments I have ...
5
votes
1answer
78 views
Fried Liver Attack in the Scotch Gambit - Two Knights Defense?
[fen ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Ng5 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Nxf7 Kxf7 8. Qf3+ Ke6
Now the usual move in the Fried Liver Attack is 9. Nc3 attacking the knight on d5, but the d-pawn ...
4
votes
2answers
63 views
Why is the “Queens Gambit” referred to as a gambit?
If White will just get a pawn back at no cost, why is the Queens Gambit a Gambit? Is it for historical reasons or something else?
4
votes
1answer
93 views
Should Black avoid the Two Knights Defense because of the Fried Liver Attack?
It seems like the Fried Liver Attack is too much for black to handle, so it seems it is best to avoid the Two Knights Defense as Black. An example of the Fried Liver Attack is below and Black just ...
5
votes
1answer
48 views
How should White continue after Nxb4 in the Evans Gambit?
Recently I have been playing the Evans Gambit as many times as I can and for the most part, black plays 4...Bxb4, but someone played 4...Nxb4 and I wasn't sure how to continue. After the following ...
2
votes
1answer
84 views
What openings were former and current masters experts in? [closed]
In referencing the following article, it is stated that one way to efficiently learn new openings is to study masters that were experts at the particular opening you want to study. Part of the ...
4
votes
1answer
74 views
Approach to learning one opening and its variations?
When learning a new opening, do you learn the opening every time you encounter a new variation or do you try to learn them all at once?
I read this article on chess.com about learning an opening in ...
4
votes
2answers
45 views
Blitz games relation to opening theory?
How do blitz games help with your opening theory? I thought they would not help because you might tend to make a lot of mistakes during blitz or is this the reason, to keep playing them over and over ...
6
votes
1answer
102 views
Early f3 in d4 openings?
Are these openings playable for white? I use the first move order to counter my friend's very well prepared Benoni, and manage to whoop him many times, but its only in blitz. I was wondering if early ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
How are the ECO codes for chess openings assigned?
As an example, I will use the Ruy Lopez.
C60 is defined as 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 as well as host of other Ruy Lopez variations.
C60 is also the Ruy Lopez - Cozio Defence, Paulsen Variation which ...
5
votes
1answer
102 views
Scotch gambit: 4… Qf6
[fen ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Qf6
This move 4... Qf6 defends both the d4 and f7 pawns; now if 5. Bg5 to drive it away, 5... Qg6 and the bishop becomes a liability, preventing White ...
7
votes
3answers
129 views
Taking the knight on c6 in open Sicilians
Why is it generally uncommon (unsound?) for white to capture the knight on c6 in open Sicilians?
For example (this is just an example; I'm not referring to this specific position, but similar ...
