All Questions
Tagged with positional-play opening
46 questions
3
votes
2
answers
186
views
When is it worth it to sacrifice a knight or bishop in order to force the opponent to move the king down a rank and lose castling rights?
Specifically, I'm confused why the game review on chess.com says this move was a blunder:
I did end up losing the knight, but that's what I expected to happen. I did it on purpose to force the king ...
2
votes
1
answer
444
views
What's the benefit to attacking f7 or f2 during the opening?
I remember a specific chess.com lesson on common openings, and it seems like one of the most common and safest openings is to take control of the center with the king and queen pawns and the attack ...
-2
votes
1
answer
266
views
What openings fit the tastes of a positional player? [closed]
I am a very positional player, but, I cannot find good openings that suit my tastes. What are the lists of openings that result in strategic / positional positions?
- 366
2
votes
4
answers
213
views
Trying to improve
I have a question hopefully someone can help me out.
3 days ago I won a tournament (25+5) semi-rapid section under 1450 OTB. I scored 5/5 beating some high rated players.
My rating OTB semi-rapid ...
- 249
2
votes
2
answers
207
views
Ponziani 5.. Nce7?! why is this a blunder?
The following position is from the Ponziani opening.
Starting 5.. Nce7, the computer gives over +3 advantage for white, but throughout the line I couldn't see why this is such a clear positional ...
- 226
0
votes
1
answer
109
views
What's the positional threat in this opening of the London?
In a London system course, when explaining the following line, the author mentions that with 4.Ne5 "White is creating a big positional threat of Nxg4."
[FEN ""]
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3....
- 629
1
vote
1
answer
108
views
Opening suggestion where my side castles king side and has king side majority
I'm looking for a set of openings that are more likely to lead into positional play where my side castles king side and have king side majority. Theoretical advantage is not required.
The plan is to ...
- 2,508
10
votes
4
answers
6k
views
How can I punish the "bad" knight on c3?
I play the Caro–Kann Defence against 1.e4 as black, and for whatever reason it feels like I get the following line way too frequently:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Nc3?!
This ...
- 712
1
vote
1
answer
189
views
What should be the next move for Black?
Both sides have had equal points untill now. If the Black knight is moved, then White can move their knight with discovered check. What should Black do?
[FEN ""]
[StartPly "11"] ...
- 13
14
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why does Black want to trade off their King's Bishop in many d4 lines?
I feel that in many lines starting with d4, such as the Queen's Gambit Declined, or especially the Nimzo-Indian, Black is more than happy to trade their King's Bishop for White's knight on c3. For ...
- 293
2
votes
1
answer
175
views
How should white push for advantage in the Nimzowitsh attack of the Petrov's defense?
This line of the Petrov defense can often lead to opposite side castling and the general rule for that is attacks happening on both sides of the board. However, I noticed that it's very difficult to ...
- 2,158
6
votes
2
answers
256
views
Firouzja vs Kovalev: what went wrong for black in the opening?
In the first round of the ongoing Wijk aan zee Masters tournament, Firouzja won vs Kovalev. Apparently, right out of the opening white had gained a winning edge. In particular, somewhere around 16......
- 3,416
4
votes
5
answers
574
views
Why is 3. Nc3 played in mainline of the Modern Defense?
After:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7
by far the most common third move is 3. Nc3. This goes against the principle of not blocking the c pawn with the knight as white, now of course principles can be ...
- 157
2
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How do I make the right move after an opening? [duplicate]
I'm slowly getting better at my chess skills.
The one thing that bugs me the most right now is knowing which piece to move after many of my pieces have been developed and the king has been castled. ...
- 121
2
votes
2
answers
162
views
How good is this variant of the Sicilian defense?
I am relatively new to chess SE, so I am not sure how to include the chessboard thing.
[FEN ""]
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Bc4?! Nxe4
6. Bxf7+ Kxf7
7. Qh5+ ...
8. Qd5+
and ...
- 171
1
vote
1
answer
158
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 ...
- 21
3
votes
2
answers
123
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.
- 339
2
votes
1
answer
280
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,
...
- 678
14
votes
3
answers
2k
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 ...
- 1,127
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How could I have played this opening better?
This was a recent game on chess.com. The "Maximum" analysis tool they have says my first mistake isn't until move 9, but I felt like I misplayed the opening even earlier. Indeed black's white squared ...
- 1,127
2
votes
2
answers
909
views
Positional principles in chess openings
I am a d4 player as white and I really don't like to memorize tatical lines in the opening altought I know most commons lines very well in the first 8 - 15 moves depend on the opening based on my ...
- 473
2
votes
1
answer
196
views
What positional play strategy should white adopt when fighting against the Philidor exchange variation?
What are the key squares to control? What are ultra aggressive moves white can play at the advance level (expert or higher class)?
- 1,895
4
votes
3
answers
515
views
Which type of openings generally lead their users not to waste much time on the clock: sharp/aggressive/tactical or positional/solid/quiet openings?
I’m only asking this question out of curiosity. The answers I’ll get won’t make me change my opening repertoire.
OTB which type of openings generally lead their users not to waste too much time on ...
- 4,944
12
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Equalize - What does it really mean?
We often read or hear in books or video tutorials the following: "With this move, Black can equalize!". Some authors give 15-move or 20-move variations of some openings (e.g. Caro-Kann, Slav, Semi-...
- 1,129
9
votes
7
answers
3k
views
For Black, against the Caro-Kann Advance Shirov variation 4. Nc3 which move tends to lead to the most positional, slow, solid and strategic positions?
I'm a 1800 Elo player that likes positional, quiet, drawish, slow, boring and strategic openings.
As Black against 1. e4 I play the Caro-Kann. But there is one variation of the Caro-Kann that I ...
- 4,944
4
votes
1
answer
489
views
In the Caro-Kann Panov-Botvinnik Attack 5... e6 6. Nf3, what are the differences between 6... Be7 and 6... Bb4 ? Which one is more solid and quiet?
In the Caro-Kann Panov-Botvinnik Attack 5... e6 6. Nf3, I am hesitating between 6... Be7 and 6... Bb4
[StartPly "11"]
[FEN ""]
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Be7 (6.....
- 4,944
8
votes
3
answers
9k
views
What are some good books on the Caro-Kann which propose a Black repertoire based on positional, strategic, solid, boring and quiet variations?
I'm a 1750 Elo player, and 6 months ago I bought the book Grandmaster Repertoire: The Caro-Kann by Lars Schandorff, and I was disappointed.
In my opinion, the repertoire proposed in the book is too ...
- 4,944
6
votes
4
answers
2k
views
In the Classical Variation of the Caro-Kann, what is the most positional, strategic, quiet, slow, closed, boring, dry and solid variation for Black?
I am not sure what to play as Black in the Classical Variation of the Caro-Kann, after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3
[...
- 4,944
4
votes
1
answer
494
views
In the Delayed Open Catalan, what is the best move after 7. Ne5 c5 8. dxc5 Qc7 9. Nxc4 Rd8?
I'm building my White repertoire.
After 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 c5 8. dxc5 Qc7 9. Nxc4 Rd8 we reach the following position:
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/...
- 4,944
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is it important to have pawns at the centre of the board?
Is there any strategic importance in having pawns at the centre of the board? Please provide a detailed explanation.
- 59
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
In the books Wojo's Weapons, why was Wojo occasionally known to say "I'm too lazy!" when asked why he didn't play 1. d4 instead of 1. Nf3?
In Wojo's Weapons: Winning With White (Volume 1) by Jonathan Hilton and Dean Ippolito, it is written:
Wojo's move order to reach any opening position almost always started with 1. Nf3 and then ...
- 4,944
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
For White, which variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined tends to lead to the most solid, positional, slow, closed, quiet and strategic positions?
I am a 1750 Elo player with a very positional, quiet and strategic style of play.
I would like to know which variation I should play when, as White, I face the Queen's Gambit Declined.
The variation ...
- 4,944
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
In the Caro-Kann Panov-Botvinnik Attack which move tends to lead to the most solid, positional, slow, closed, and quiet positions: 5... e6, Nc6 or g6?
In the Caro-Kann Panov-Botvinnik Attack, after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3, which move tends to lead (on average) to the most solid, positional, slow, closed, quiet and strategic ...
- 4,944
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What are books about the French Defence which feature a Black repertoire that tends to lead to solid/positional/closed/slow/quiet/strategic positions?
I am a 1750 Elo player with a very positional, quiet and strategic style of play.
I am looking for one or more books about the French Defence which fits these 3 conditions:
It must offer a complete ...
- 4,944
10
votes
4
answers
6k
views
For White, which variation of the King's Indian Defence tends to lead to the most solid, positional, slow, strategic, quiet and closed positions?
I am a 1750 Elo player with a very positional, quiet and strategic style of play.
I would like to know which variation I should play when, as White, I face the King's Indian Defence: 1...Nf6 2...g6
...
- 4,944
4
votes
5
answers
4k
views
As Black, against 1. d4, what opening would you recommend me which is solid, positional, slow, strategic, quiet, closed, and similar to the Caro-Kann?
I'm a 1750 Elo player. I have a very positional, quiet and strategic style of play.
As White I play 1. d4, but I plan to also learn 1. Nf3 soon. As Black against 1. e4 I play the Caro-Kann.
I would ...
- 4,944
11
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Which side should I castle if I have opportunity to castle on both sides?
It's a little bit confusing for me to make good decisions when I have opportunity to castle on both sides.
Can somebody explain what are the factors should be considered if we have opportunity to ...
- 543
2
votes
3
answers
4k
views
In the Queen's Gambit Declined, after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6, what is the difference between playing 3. Nc3 and 3. Nf3?
Here are Chessbase's statistics after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 :
Nc3 - N=116,000 - W=58.2% - Av=2152 - Perf=2176
Nf3 - N=54,000 - W=60.3% - Av=2239 - Perf=2264
.
N = The number of games played
W = White'...
- 4,944
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Chess traps without positional loss
Most of the common chess traps are ill advised (at least in standard games), as you sacrifice better moves.
Traps that I have tried out with some success are the fishing pole, and the blackbourne ...
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How did I still lose with 1 piece advantage?
Throughout the game, I thought I had a positional and piece advantage, but I STILL LOST!
What did I do wrong? (using Ruy Lopez btw)
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 Nf6
4. Nc3 a6
5. Bxc6 ...
- 387
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Positional opening for Black
I have recently (two months ago) become very interested in chess, after playing it for about 10 years at a club, spending time on it only one evening per week.
Previously, I did not think about my ...
- 41
5
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Can you recommend a closed opening for black against 1.e4?
What is a good opening system for black that leads to closed play against 1.e4?
E.G. - against 1.d4 I like to play the Slav & am looking into the Czech Benoni. I am looking for something similar ...
- 317
8
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Queens Gambit Declined vs Slav: Exchange Variations
I am a keen player of d4 as white. One of the things that I often read is that the exchange variation of the Queens Gambit Declined is generally considered good for white:
[fen ""]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 ...
- 5,817
23
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What are white's plans in this Scotch Gambit 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
(...
- 3,139
7
votes
10
answers
6k
views
Switching from 1.e4 to 1.d4?
I've only played 1.e4 as white so far (in clubs, tournaments, online, everywhere!), in the past 5 years since I learned chess. And it has been very fun, but I want to explore the dark side as well, as ...
- 4,634
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Does the Caro-Kann or the Tartakower System of the Queen's Gambit Declined help with positional skills?
In the following Wikipedia biography on Gary Kasparov, I read the following:
From age 7, Kasparov attended the Young Pioneer Palace in Baku and, at 10 began training at Mikhail Botvinnik's chess ...
- 16.9k