Some Random Thoughts About Chess Openings
What exactly is your job during the opening phase of a chess game?
Is it to start a quick attack against the enemy king? Is it to extract a theoretical advantage by playing a memorized 20-move variation of the ‘this-and-that’ opening? Is it to bring out your pieces as fast as you can?
I believe it was Grandmaster Suetin who gave a satisfactory answer to the question above – “Your duty in the opening phase is to achieve a playable middlegame.”
But here’s the bigger question – how’re you going to achieve a playable middlegame from the opening?
Assuming that, like me, you also have a table to bring food to and bills to pay, spending long hours memorizing the latest innovations in the Ruy Lopez, Sicilian Defense, French Defense, etc. is out of question. I don’t know about you but I’d rather spend my spare time on other aspects of chess – the middlegame, endgame, tactics, etc. rather than the opening.
IMHO, to achieve a playable middlegame from the opening, one must start creating major differences in both positions to give each side something to play for and develop their pieces to right from the first move.
Let’s take a look at the Sicilian Defense – 1.e4 c5, White claims his share of the center by moving his King-pawn while Black prevents his opponent from establishing the central pawn duo by preventing d2-d4. Let’s look a little deeper – 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4. It doesn’t take a master to see that the development of both Knights is aimed at the d4-square.
White prepares d2-d4 with his second move while Black adds more influence to the d4-square by moving his Knight to c6.
On his third move, White challenges Black’s control of the d4-square by pushing his Queen Pawn 2 squares up.
Note though that he could’ve chosen other moves that prepare d2-d4 or challenge Black’s control of that square like Bb5 followed with Bxc6. However, this move would give Black the Bishop Pair. It would be favorable for Black to open the position since the two Bishops can cut across it. That’s another major difference between the White and Black camp.
On the other hand, after Bxc6, Black would have doubled-pawns no matter which way he takes. This means he’ll have an extra open file for his Rooks, more control on central squares…especially d5, but that also means White has a target – the c5-pawn.
White could also opt for 3.c3 to prepare d2-d4. But since that doesn’t threaten anything, Black can start central action right away with 3…d7-d5. If White takes with 4.exd5, Black follows up with 4…Qxd5 and White can be saddled with an isolated d-pawn, another major imbalance, after 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4.
Both camps would then play to control the square in front of the isolated d-pawn. White have greater mobility for his pieces and he can use that to start an attack while
Black is still bringing his pieces to optimal squares. On the other hand, Black will try to subject the isolated d-pawn to pressure with his heavy pieces while trying to exchange minor pieces to reduce the pawns defenders in an effort to win it.
OK, I’m not an opening expert, and I don’t know if that rant about chess opening made sense to you.
But I do hope you get the part that during the opening phase of the game, you don’t just bring your pieces out and make moves for the sake of developing them…you must develop your pieces in accordance to the imbalances present on the board.
My NEW Chess Improvement And Training Plan
Hmmm…so what do I have in my hard-drive that I could use for chess improvement and training?
- 83 heavily annotated games analyzed by FMs and IMs.
- George Renko’s famous tactics training ChessBase databases
a. Intensive Tactics Course 1
b. Intensive Tactics Course 2
c. Killer Moves
d. Deadly Threats
So how am I going to train with these? How do I get the most out of them? Here’s the plan that I came up with –
a. On All Days Of The Week – Exercise my tactical eye using Renko’s tactics training databases. However, I’m planning to study in a certain way…I would use Michael De La Maza’s “7 Circles Of Chess Tactics” method.
To those of you who are familiar with it, I’m sure you’ve noticed chess masters trashing this method of training tactics. But I think, coupled with a good chess training and improvement plan, it can bring tremendous benefits. Although, this method of training is really I-N-T-E-N-S-E! A lot of motivation is needed to complete the 7 Circles.
If you’re not familiar with it, the “7 Circles Of Tactics” involves going through about 1000 tactical exercises 7 times. The first cycle would take about 32 days, the second cycle would take 16 days, for the third one – 8 days…and all the way down to the seventh cycle where you MUST answer all 1000+ exercises in one day!
I’ve given this system for training tactics a shot a couple of years back, but I never got to finish all 7 cycles. Thanks to my J-O-B. I believe I was able to finish only the first 3-4 circles. However, I have noticed a significant leap in my ability to spot tactics over the board.
But now that I’m working as a freelance writer, which gives me more spare time, I’m confident I can finish all 7 cycles.
b. Study A Master Game From Monday – Friday – IMHO, just playing games and reading the annotations isn’t enough. I think it’s too passive to help you increase your playing strength in a short period of time.
In light of that, here’s what I’ll do with the annotated master games – First, find the raw game scores. Predict the moves after the opening phase and write my own analysis and notes to the game. Only then will I consult and read the in-depth annotations provided by the IMs and FMs who analyzed the game.
I think the benefits from this method of studying master games are enormous – first, it helps me exercise my chess thinking strategy, not to mention it gives me a sneak peek to how master’s think.
c. During Weekends Play 3-4 Games Against Stronger Players On G/60 Time Controls – Alright, this facet of my chess improvement plan will put the things I’ve learned throughout the week to the acid test – bringing them all together in an over-the-board game.
Of course, these games should be analyzed right after they are played and my thoughts during the game should also be noted.
And I think that’s about it. Not a lot, but I think, coupled with playing games with stronger chess players at G/60 at least, these should be enough for now. I’m planning to get IM Silman’s books –
- Re-Asses Your Chess Workbook
- How To Re-Asses Your Chess
- Inside The Amateur’s Mind
…when I have enough dough.
Yeah, I’m a huge fan of Silman and many other club players are. And when you give his books a try, I’m sure you will be, too! As for the opening phase, which is my ‘Achilles Heels’, I’m planning to grab 3 ChessBase trainers authored by another favorite chess writer and trainer of mine – GM Nigel Davies.
The King’s Indian Attack – I’m not the one to memorize reams and reams of theory! The White setup – e4, d3, Nf3, Nd2, g3, and Bg2, has been successfully used both by masters and amateurs. It’s a very good weapon especially against the French Defense.
This will give me more time to spend on other aspects of chess training and improvement.
1.e4 For The Creative Attacker – Another White opening CD. Well, sadly, the King’s Indian Attack can’t be used against 1…e5 and the Scandinavian Defense. This should be covered by this ChessBase trainer. And I think it’s a good idea to have a backup opening repertoire just in case I grow tired and bored with the KIA.
1…d6 Universal - I’m yet to read a review of this ChessBase trainer. But as I’ve said, I want something that’s universal and can be relied on almost all the time in the opening phase. I have a hunch that this is going a great CD. After all, GM Davies is one of England’s leading exponents of 1…d6 and other related openings like the Pirc and Modern Defense.
