Questions tagged [opening]
Questions relating to the first few moves in a game
1,045
questions
3
votes
1answer
248 views
Strategy according to the pawn structure in the Caro-Kann
I have long been playing the Caro-Kann but I have never been able to come up with a plan according to the pawn structure in the games.
After playing d5 (and entering the Pawn exchange variation or ...
1
vote
1answer
250 views
Is the Danish Gambit viable for Class D tournament play?
I've been recently playing the Danish Gambit online in blitz. It started as a dare from one of my friends, but I've had ludicrous success with it due to common mistakes from my opponents.
Also, I ...
17
votes
5answers
9k views
How to deal with your opponent's queen if your opponent rejects any trades?
If my opponent brings out his/her queen early in the game, I usually attack it with my own queen. The opponent can either accept the trade or reject it. If he/she accepts, I have no questions at all. ...
28
votes
3answers
5k views
Why is the Ruy Lopez a sensible opening for white?
As an amateur, I prefer the Scotch game as opposed to Ruy Lopez, since I feel that White loses tempo and Black seems to gain tempo with queenside counterplay in the main line.
[title "Ruy Lopez"]
[...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Response to King's fianchetto opening
Currently I am facing some difficulties playing as black when my opponent plays 1.g3.
In the midgame actually my position gets cramped. Is there some strong response to 1.g3? I actually want some ...
1
vote
2answers
60 views
Whose games should I collect for Benoni?
I have been adopting the Benoni opening against 1 d4 recently with some moderate success. I would like to know whose games should I look at to have a good understanding. I see that Tal, and to a ...
2
votes
4answers
108 views
Whose games should I collect for Scotch Opening?
I have been adopting the Scotch opening recently with some moderate success. I would like to know whose games should I look at to have a good understanding. I see that Nakamura and Kasparov deploy ...
6
votes
1answer
269 views
Why did Carlsen play 7. dxc5 in Game 7 of the 2018 World Championship?
As a class A player, I have some understanding of opening principles. Relevant to the move played in the game, I know that it's advantageous to control the center, to have central pawns controlling ...
11
votes
1answer
126 views
What are the main plans for black and white in the main-line Slav after 5…Bf5 6.e3?
I'm thinking about adding the Slav defense to my opening repertoire. I'm looking at the following line, which I believe is the main line:
[fen ""]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 ...
2
votes
1answer
143 views
What next after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 for the White tactical player?
How should a tactical player as White play after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6?
The openings I am looking at are:
Ruy Lopez
Italian game
Scotch game
Three Knights
I am currently playing Scotch since it opens ...
1
vote
2answers
71 views
Online Resource for Opening Plans
I have been searching for a while for an online (preferably free) resource for opening plans. Up till now my study of openings has consisted of looking at popular lines and some master games. Is there ...
4
votes
6answers
328 views
Why don't we play different openings in chess?
Chess comes in many forms, both with respect to the clock and the board format.
But why don't we have chess tournaments where we play different openings? That is, a certain list of openings is ...
0
votes
3answers
111 views
Knight's opening move
I generally play 1.Nf3 as white . I actually wonder whether there would be any major difference if I play 1.Na3 instead of 1.Nf3 . I am a novice player . An illustration will definitely help me in ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views
Queen's Gambit Accepted Nc3 VS Nd2
Usually I play somewhere around move 5-Nc3 but I might start playing Nd2 more instead to get a different dynamic in the game.
Is this advised? Does this have dire consequences in QGA?
3
votes
3answers
295 views
Opening Systems for White which enable long castling
In general as White, I prefer to long castle and then start attacking with kingside pawn storm. Everytime, I hope that my opponent lets me do it.
For instance, when I play 1 d4 (or 1 c4) I hope my ...
2
votes
2answers
113 views
Tactics to counter Queen's Gambit
I am a novice player. I have seen many White players using the Queen's Gambit (1. d4, 2. c4) which actually dominates the center and inflicts humongous damage at the expense of only one white pawn. ...
0
votes
3answers
171 views
Is it better to move a pawn or knight first? [closed]
As stated in the title, I have always wondered whether it is better to move a pawn or knight first. Which one makes you generally more likely to win?
7
votes
1answer
279 views
Why is 5…Be7 played before …b5 in the main line of the Closed Ruy Lopez?
Here is what I've seen described as the main line of the Closed Ruy Lopez up to move 7:
[fen ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
5. O-O Be7 (5... b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. Re1 d6) 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 ...
7
votes
4answers
139 views
Move-order issue in the Grunfeld: …Nc6-a5 vs …Nc6-e7
My question relates to certain lines given by Avrukh (2018).
[FEN "..."]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3 e5 9. d5
Here 9...Ne7 is the most popular ...
3
votes
4answers
202 views
What should a chess beginner do with his/her knights after 2. Nf3 or 2. Nc3?
Let us suppose I am a chess beginner. I often lose my games. Well, it depends on the opponent but generally I can hardly win. My problem is I do not know what I should do with my knights.
Usually ...
1
vote
1answer
139 views
Name of pawn struture in B42 Sicilian defense
I like positional games, and the Sicilian defence is very dynamic, however the B42 Sicilian defence is quite positional, but the pawn structure has some weaknesses. I would like to learn more about ...
3
votes
2answers
156 views
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bg5?
Please let me know the issue with 4.Bg5 in the position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 Nf6.
I have check the FICS Games Database - Opening Explorer and it seems it's not a popular move. But I cannot ...
0
votes
1answer
169 views
Is starting from sides a bad style?
I am just an average chess player around 1500+ ELO
and have started experimenting to come up with a complete new style of my own. (it may have been used or discredited in the community)
This involves ...
4
votes
3answers
201 views
Why play Nb5 in this line of the sicilian?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 why is 5. Nb5 the best move?
The game usually continues 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 and it looks to me like whites knight on a3 is misplaced. What makes ...
7
votes
3answers
130 views
What are the ideas of 6. Qf3 in the Scotch?
In the following sequence of moves, what are the main ideas of the fashionable 6. Qf3 in the Scotch? Can White hope for a real advantage by letting Black trade Queens so early and worsening (at least ...
4
votes
2answers
236 views
Giuoco Piano / Two Knights Defense / Fried Liver Attack
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Ncb4
White can play 9. Qe4 (Old variation protecting c2 square from ... Nxc2+ forking King and Rook and ...
5
votes
1answer
122 views
What is the main idea of 7.Qf3 in the Sicilian Taimanov?
In the Sicilian Taimanov, after the opening moves
[FEN ""]
[StartPly "12"]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6
7.Qf3 has become popular recently. I find it still a bit strange ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Why isn't 3.e4 more popular in the QGA?
According to the chess.com DB, 3.e4 is the third most popular reply in the Queen's Gambit Accepted - but why isn't it the most popular by a long shot? Isn't the entire point to remove black's central ...
1
vote
1answer
112 views
How to play vs 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 Nxd4?
How to play vs 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 Nxd4? Assuming that we want to recapture, is it better to take the d4 Knight or the e5 Pawn?
2
votes
2answers
95 views
Which openings (black/white) should man play against a player, who is not good at endgame but a tactical beast?
I'am looking for openings with white and black against strong junior players, which are mostly tactical beasts but not good at endgame.
6
votes
2answers
377 views
How big is the “opening book” of a typical tournament player
How many openings does a typical (national/international level) tournament player usually know and play?
For instance: in a tournament, can I expect that a player will either open 1.d4 or 1.e4 ...
2
votes
3answers
297 views
Which chess app plays regular openings
I play chess regularly, about 1600 rated. Sometimes I want to play chess on my phone (Android). The chess app I use, Chess free, is strong enough. However, it does not play regular openings, so when I ...
5
votes
3answers
175 views
Theory: Things NOT to do in a concrete opening
My sources of opening theory are mostly focuses on things to do in it, and some ideas about why.
What are good sources about things to avoid, and ideas that can't be developed in an opening?
0
votes
2answers
150 views
How does White crumble Black's center?
Negi suggests 18.Kh1!N but it seems Black can continue to push his pawns.
[FEN ""]
[White ""]
[Black ""]
[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B33"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 ...
2
votes
5answers
371 views
Why is it necessary for black to defend e5 pawn after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3?
Why is it necessary for black to defend the e5 pawn after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3? What do you think of 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 a6 3. Nxe5 d6? Now white should move his knight to c4, d3 or f3 and black can develop ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
What are the letters and numbers next to an opening's name on online services?
Here, it shows "C22": [Name of opening]. This is from an online service, and I was confused what this is. At first, I thought it was for the specific sites database, but I have seen the letters and ...
7
votes
6answers
2k views
Feeling cramped in the Najdorf
I played this game recently at a tournament, and lost pretty decisively. I thought about it a bit, and I think it's representative of something that happens somewhat often in my games when I play the ...
0
votes
1answer
165 views
Sicilian Classical
[fen ""]
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 Nc6
6. Be2 e6
7. Be3 Be7
8. O-O O-O
9. f4 Bd7
10. Nxc6 Bxc6
11. e5 dxe5
12. fxe5 Nd7
13. Bd4 Qa5
14. Bd3 Bc5.
Questions.
1) ...
2
votes
2answers
253 views
How bad is the English Opening Wing Gambit?
After 1.c4 c5 2.b4 cxb4 it seems White can continue in typical gambit fashion with a number of moves (3.a3, d4, ...) yet I have never seen a game with this gambit. Did anyone strong ever try this? ...
8
votes
3answers
644 views
Why isn't Bird's Opening at least as popular as the Dutch Defence?
The Dutch Defence is a fairly popular response to 1. d4. So shouldn't 1. f4 (Bird's opening), viewed as a Dutch plus a tempo, be at least as popular?
4
votes
6answers
227 views
Must I develop my bishop on next move?
I got to this position, while playing this game: https://lichess.org/dT3d9Dp4
Here I feel the need to develop my bishop. I thought of Bf4 but I feared g5, after which I will lose a tempo. Be3 always ...
4
votes
1answer
405 views
Why is 5.c4 playable vs. Sicilian Kan, but hardly seen vs. Sicilian Taimanov?
Why is 5.c4 considered playable against the Sicilian Kan,
i.e. after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4,
but hardly seen against the Sicilian Taimanov?
i.e. after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 ...
4
votes
1answer
121 views
Giuoco Piano, Steinitz Variation
[fen ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 d5 10. Ba3
Steinitz Variation.
We play this in regular tournaments and it is very ...
2
votes
2answers
147 views
What are some good attacking games from the black side of the Queen's Gambit Declined (Exchange variation)?
I read both of the answers to this question, and although one answer hints that black can launch a kingside attack in the Exchange variation, it offers no games demonstrating such a kingside attack.
...
1
vote
1answer
92 views
What is the main aim and object of the kings pawn opening? [closed]
I think that every opening has a particular aim and object.
Can someone tell me the the aim and object of the kings pawn opening?
7
votes
1answer
185 views
What is the theoretical assessment of this 4 knights gambit?
[FEN ""]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 Nxe4!?
Some games have followed 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Nc3 d4 7.Nb1 e4 8.Ng1 for example.
4
votes
3answers
216 views
Evaluation of this alternative to French exchange lines
I am a French Defense opening player from both sides. I don't like exchange line of the French Defense. They are drawish positions and my brain gets bored resulting in a positional or small mistake.
...
3
votes
4answers
478 views
Is this knight sacrifice a good idea?
I often play the following variation with black when I play blitz. Somehow it refuses the known lines of the Spanish.
It looks like that black is going to be destroyed but almost always I win when I ...
3
votes
2answers
909 views
Traps in the Jobava Attack
Are there any known early tactical traps in the so-called Jobava Attack (1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4) for both sides? Leaving out the Barry Attack (early g6 by Black).
5
votes
2answers
258 views
Why not 4.e3 Bxc3+ in the Nimzo-Indian?
Why is 4.e3 Bxc3+ almost never played in the Nimzo-Indian, with idea of 5.bxc3 c5, considering that this is a relatively feared move after 4.e3 c5 5.Nf3 Bxc3, et cetera (Huebner Variation), so that a ...
