04 Feb 07
Originally posted by mrjonesvich321I would ask what level of play do you want to reach?
e4 is probably the most common opening move, I guess, and then after that I always play Nf3, but I don't really know what to play after that. I used to try d4, and then an echange of knights (assuming they played Nc6) leaves my queen in the center, which is bad. I think this is called the Scottish Game, or something. Anyways I decided I really hate ...[text shortened]... that involve 1. e4, or just advice in general, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Kurt
Personally I abandoned e4 as i wanted to beat good players and I found that as I came to the game late, I was always at a disadvantage. I learnt all the e4,e5 games and then as I moved up in standard, they became rarer. I gave up as their was too many sicilians that i lost to book sacrifices. I was never very happy against caro kans or the french. It always seemed that black could chose the style of play. Petroff's defence was the final straw.
The scotch with your queen out is not so bad as the queen on d4 will be diagonally opposite the remaining black knight on f6. The key advantage you have is that you can stop the black d pawn from advancing and that hinders black development. Play some games as black in that position and you might realise its better than you thought.
04 Feb 07
1 edit
Originally posted by petrosianpupilHrm, sacrifices that cost you the game in the Sicilian? Maybe Najdorf and Dragon lines, but aside from that I don't feel like there's really too much to worry about (Maybe Classical Velimorovic too). Personally I've never had a problem with facing the Sicilian, that might be because I fight the Najdorf with 6.Rg1 which 99% of Najdorf players aren't ready for, and I'm a Dragon player myself.
I would ask what level of play do you want to reach?
Personally I abandoned e4 as i wanted to beat good players and I found that as I came to the game late, I was always at a disadvantage. I learnt all the e4,e5 games and then as I moved up in standard, they became rarer. I gave up as their was too many sicilians that i lost to book sacrifices. I w t. Play some games as black in that position and you might realise its better than you thought.
However, I won't deny that 1.d4 isn't as positional as a lot of amateurs claim, it can actually get pretty wild and fun.
04 Feb 07
The post that was quoted here has been removedVery nice game, but you've never found 6.Rg1 to be frightening!? You're a liar! 😛
6.Bc4 and 6.Bg5 offer lots of wild tactical possibilities, which is why I avoid those lines - the Poisoned Pawn variation is especially insane.
04 Feb 07
The post that was quoted here has been removedI haven't found it, but I'm going to check harder in a minute here.
BTW: I think that the English Attack is easily whites best try against the Najdorf, and I think it's quite good for CC: Game 2684457
04 Feb 07
1 edit
The post that was quoted here has been removed😕 Hm. Ok, I'll look for pins.
What about 15...fxe5 as a thought though, what am I missing for white after that?
Oh wait, Re1 maybe?
BTW:The English Attack is currently whites most popular against the Najdorf at GM level, scores appx. 53% for white.
04 Feb 07
Originally posted by cmsMasterOk, I give up. 🙁
😕 Hm. Ok, I'll look for pins.
What about 15...fxe5 as a thought though, what am I missing for white after that?
Oh wait, Re1 maybe?
BTW:The English Attack is currently whites most popular against the Najdorf at GM level, scores appx. 53% for white.