Questions tagged [opening]
Questions relating to the first few moves in a game
2
votes
1answer
112 views
Main Ideas behind Spanish Game, Cozio Defense
I've been practicing the Spanish Game so I can have better tournament results with it,
Spanish Game
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
Spanish Game, Cozio Defense
and I asked my friend to play the Cozio defense,
...
7
votes
1answer
208 views
How to handle Black's Bc5 in Bird's Leningrad?
I want to learn and play the Bird's Opening, Reverse Leningrad Variation, as White. I'm having a hard time with some aspects of this opening which keep coming up. I want to avoid a Stonewall-like ...
4
votes
5answers
218 views
Is there any more purpose to various openings than to get a positional advantage?
I have a grasp on tactics at this point, but when it comes to openings, I am lost. I follow the principles of developing my pieces toward the center with an eye towards castling. Beyond this, I don't ...
4
votes
2answers
137 views
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Accepted, Scheveningen Formation, 7.O-O
[fen "r1bqk1nr/pp2bppp/2npp3/8/2B1P3/2N1BN2/PP3PPP/R2Q1RK1 b kq - 3 8"]
What could be the best possible response to 8. Be3 for black? Would it be pushing the e pawn by a square, or developing the ...
2
votes
1answer
294 views
What is the best line of the Colle to play against KID set up by Black? [duplicate]
Playing the Colle, if Black plays g6 and then Bg7 what is the best line for White?
4
votes
1answer
350 views
Four player chess (team): is there some opening theory written somewhere?
I am an active player on four player team chess on chess.com (my Elo is currently 2095). I am planning to write something about theory of opening of this chess variant. Question is, do you know if ...
2
votes
0answers
142 views
Should I just avoid playing 1. e4? [closed]
I can play 1. e4 as long as my opponent does not play 1... c5.
However, I have recently been succeeding in playing 1. d4 despite knowing little to no theory. The only exception is that I am booked ...
5
votes
1answer
664 views
On the Mason Attack
What are the main points, tactical or otherwise, backing up the Mason Attack?
I got the idea reading about the London System, but the Lichess engine calls it "Mason Attack". It starts out as follows:
...
6
votes
1answer
973 views
Encyclopaedia of chess openings in machine readable form
I am building an app that allows the user to track openings in visual form. They will make moves on the board and the name of the opening and common next moves will be displayed. Now I need some data ...
-2
votes
1answer
156 views
What are the differences that a beginner should be aware of between opening with 1.e4 or 1.d4? [closed]
I am preparing for a tournament, so which opening should I use or prepare? How can I become strong in a specific opening line?
5
votes
1answer
113 views
alpha-beta algorithm returns a value between alpha and beta inclusive?
I am coding up a chess engine and using the alpha-beta algorithm for tree scanning. I ended up doing what they posted here:
int alphabeta(int depth, int alpha, int beta)
{
move bestmove;
if (...
2
votes
1answer
360 views
Availability of AlphaZero and A. Grischuk's idea in the Anti-Moscow Gambit vs L. Ding
I was watching some Fide Candidates post play conference and Grischuk mentioned that a certain move was suggested by AlphaZero. So I was googling a little and have a stupid question. Where is ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
Understanding the Tarrasch defence to the Queen's gambit
I do not understand the diagrammed position. Do you?
[fen ""]
[title "A. Grischuk vs. V. Kramnik, FIDE Candidates 2018"]
[startply "8"]
1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 dxc4 6. Bxc4 a6 7....
4
votes
3answers
305 views
Which opening will develop both bishops like the following diagrams?
I'm looking for a chess opening that would result in something similar to the following end-positionings:
A nice open diagonal for the bishops.
or maybe the other way:
Also, what are the strengths ...
12
votes
2answers
402 views
Wrong lines of play to illuminate right lines
De Firmian's Modern Chess Openings is a good book. I like it. However, the book teaches right lines of play. It teaches few wrong lines.
Should one not also study wrong lines—the blunders, the ...
6
votes
1answer
890 views
How to reply to an early c5 in the London System?
I've played the London System for about 3 months and am liking it alot, however I have run across several games where Black played a weird, but good, move early in the opening, c5.
example:
1. d4 d5 ...
3
votes
2answers
271 views
How to deal with the pinned knight on f3 in the Ruy Lopez (as white)?
I find myself in positions like this a lot when playing the Ruy Lopez:
[fen ""]
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 d6
4. O-O Bg4
If I try to kick the bishop out with 5. h3, they back up to h5 and I'm in ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
How to avoid the French in the Alekhine, Scandinavian Variation?
After 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. e5 Ne4 4. Nce2 Nc5, black intends to undermine White's center with ...Ncd7 and ...c5. The e5-e6 pawn sac is not available at the moment.
What is a good way to keep the ...
5
votes
2answers
297 views
The Giuoco Piano after 4.c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. c3 Nf6
5. d4 exd4
6. e5
I've faced ...
5
votes
2answers
5k views
List of how AlphaZero evaluates openings
In his process of learning Chess and getting stronger and stronger each second AlphaZero learned openings. Some were played often at the beginning, but lost in AlphaZero's popularity over the time (e....
0
votes
3answers
562 views
On 1.e4, Fischer and opening theory
2 dumb/challenging conventional wisdom questions:
Why would anyone play 1.e4?
How is Fischer's saying that 1.e4 is best by test consistent with his saying that 'chess is dead'? (Quotes below)
On ...
4
votes
1answer
190 views
Sacrifice a pawn to reorder the pieces
Consider a chess variant which plays exactly (*) as chess except that the players have a special option for first move.
White can, instead of moving a pawn/knight as its first move, sacrifice any of ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
Examples of harmony?
Recently my chess tutor used a word which in hindsight is very interesting: harmony. He mentioned I should not just develop my pieces in the opening, but develop them harmoniously. Since then, I've ...
0
votes
1answer
225 views
How to play against somebody using the book [closed]
I’ve not been playing chess that long, but I do not understand why chess.com and lichess have this thing called the book. This allows people to cheat in my ‘book”.
I used it for a while on lichess ...
1
vote
1answer
127 views
Openings Recommendations to Study for Unrated Tournament [closed]
In little over a month I am planning on playing an unrated tournament. Since it is unrated I am assuming the skill level could possibly be from novice to strong. Due to the entry fee being very low ...
2
votes
3answers
148 views
When to (and when not to) play Bxc6 (i.e. BxN) as White in Ruy Lopez?
Inspired by this question: when should one play Bxc6, capturing the Knight, in Ruy Lopez?
Related, but hopefully not a duplicate: this question, but it focusses on why Bxc6 isn't a popular move, ...
-1
votes
1answer
91 views
What are some good plans for Black in this position?
rnbqk2r/ppp1ppb1/3p1npp/8/2PPP3/2N5/PP1B1PPP/R2QKBNR b KQkq - 1 6
Normally, White plays (after 0... h6) 1. Be3 Ng4 2. Bc1, when Black has gained tempi but weakened his kingside.
Suppose White plays ...
4
votes
2answers
363 views
What is the best reply to Qe5+/Qe6+ in Scandinavian?
[FEN ""]
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qe5+ ( 3... Qe6+ )
What is the best reply to this ? I know that it isn't very good move for black, but I met it few times. I thought that Be2 is the best because ...
3
votes
1answer
147 views
Question about piece development
As opening principles say, you shouldn't push too many pawns in the opening and you should more concentrate on piece developing, but I have good example where it worked another way.
[FEN ""]
[Event "...
10
votes
3answers
994 views
Does Magnus Carlsen have any openings/opening variations named for him?
Does Magnus Carlsen have any openings/opening variations named for him?
The last world champion I know of to have an opening variation named for him was Anatoly Karpov (e.g. Caro-Kann, Karpov ...
3
votes
2answers
441 views
Why is Black supposed to attack on the kingside in the King's Indian?
Why does the tag wiki for King's Indian say that most of Black's attacks focus on the kingside? I have found that most of my games result in play on the queenside due to my dark-squared bishop, and ...
4
votes
2answers
287 views
What is the main idea of the Morozevich variation in the French vs. the Tarrasch?
What is the main idea of the Morozevich variation in the French vs. the Tarrasch variation?
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7
In other words, how can Black benefit from the slightly unusual development ...
4
votes
2answers
161 views
Exchange in the Scotch Four Knights
In the main line of the Scotch Four Knights
[FEN ""]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3
What's wrong with 7...Bxc3 ?
It seems this move is played very rarely, but, ...
11
votes
3answers
551 views
How to decide when is a3/h3 needed?
a3/h3 are frequently used to prevent the bishops from pinning the knights.
I always have a hard time deciding whether to play them or not. Playing them loses moves and tempo while not playing can ...
5
votes
1answer
217 views
What if White declines the Volga Gambit?
rnbq1rk1/p3ppbp/3p1np1/1ppP4/2P2B2/2N2N1P/PP2PPP1/R2QKB1R b KQ - 0 8
In the above position, Black gets a solid initiative and easy play on the weak White queenside pawns after 1.cxb5 (1. Nxb5? Ne4!).
...
6
votes
2answers
184 views
Jaenisch/Schliemann Gambit
Is the Jaenisch/Schliemann Gambit being played or it has become out of fashion?
PS: I am a club player (FIDE ~1800) and occasionally use it to success.
3
votes
2answers
318 views
What's the best answer to 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.a3?
As title above, What's the best answer to 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.a3? Assuming that I, as Black, am a Nimzo-Indian Player, there is no hope for a Nimzo now. Would you go for 3...d5 (QGD with no ...
-1
votes
1answer
72 views
What move is better in this position, Ke7 or g6?
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6 3.Nxe5 fxe5 4.Qh5 And in this position what move for black is better, Ke7 or g6 ? I know that such position will never occur in game between good players because after Nxe5, fxe5 is ...
-2
votes
1answer
203 views
Longest opening variation that you can memorize? [closed]
What is the longest opening line or variation, starting from the first move, that you memorized?
1
vote
2answers
270 views
How do I play the Colle System as white?
I started playing the Colle system as white about 3 months ago. I have played 9 league games with it and lost every one! The sequence of moves that cause me the most problems is 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 (...
3
votes
2answers
391 views
What are the best repertoire books for White with the English Opening?
What are the best repertoire books, from White's point of view, with the English Opening?
5
votes
2answers
654 views
How does opening preparation work at GM level?
From what I can gather, one studies what the opponent has been playing, and prepare responses for their favourite lines. The problem is, there's no guarantee the opponent will play a given opening. ...
3
votes
2answers
89 views
Rearrange chess diagrams (from an opening) in order. Useful as a puzzle?
Here is an example https://chess-tst.000webhostapp.com/chess.html
The task is to rearrange the diagrams in order (use drag&drop).
Do you think this activity could be useful for exploring and ...
2
votes
1answer
166 views
What's the verdict with Qa5 in the Accelerated Dragon?
After
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5
Does White have to castle here? If so, what is wrong with 8...Qb4?
7
votes
2answers
215 views
In the Schliemann defense, who does Schliemann refer to?
The Schliemann's Defence or Schliemann–Jaenisch Gambit refers to the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5.
f5 is of course a gambit move by black typically known as the Jaenisch Gambit when white ...
8
votes
1answer
233 views
Accelerated Dragon, Modern Bc4 Variation (B35) 10.Ndb5!
After:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3 a5 9.O-O d6
It appears 10.Ndb5 is difficult for Black to play against. I only found some games from 2008. ...
6
votes
2answers
4k views
Why, or how, can GMs make mistakes in opening books?
In the following position, McDonald states that 14. d4! is the move that gives a large advantage to White.
r1bqr1k1/2p2pp1/pbn4p/1p1np3/P7/1BPP1N2/1P3PPP/R1BQRNK1 w - - 0 14
However, 14. axb5 wins ...
6
votes
2answers
174 views
White's Response to the Norwegian Defense
In the Norwegian Defense of the Ruy Lopez
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Na5
Neil MacDonald suggests 6. O-O as a response. Why isn't 6. d4 suggested in the book?
Edit: 6......
6
votes
3answers
251 views
Assessment of O'Kelly Sicilian side line
I have an opponent who is going into this as Black:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 3.Nc3 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e5 6.Nf5
He usually follows with 6...Bxf5 and after 7.exf5 Nf6 I play 8.g4 with a sharp game. ...
4
votes
5answers
348 views
Opening as a Beginner: Mainlines or Offbeaten path?
I am approximately 1500 OTB (Lichess Classical 1750, chess.com 1540, internal rating in my club ~1500), and of course I would like to improve. Work and family are demanding, so naturally I would like ...
