White: 1.d4 (London System)
Black: Caro-Kan against 1. e4, Old Benoni against 1. d4, 1. ... g6 against everything else.
I'm starting to get really bored with chess, and I feel that *might* have something to do with my opening choices. I mean, just look at them.
I need lines that are relatively solid and fun to play. They must not require too much memorization, since I haven't had much time to study chess lately. My OTB rating is 2085, which means I'm probably fine playing anything that doesn't give away a pawn in the opening or messes up my pawn structure too much in the first few moves.
Please help me. I need to have fun. 😛
Originally posted by kmac27I... don't know, really. Maybe I just haven't gotten used to CC yet, maybe my FIDE rating is inflated. Probably a little bit of both.
you have played well but how are you 2000 otb and 1750 here?
I love the Sicilian. I really do. But there's just too much stuff to memorize, and even if I decided on a relatively unusual variation in the Open Sicilian, there are so many ways white can deviate from that... :/
yes i know. what i am thinking is that you have gotten into a pattern of knowing how to dominate players with those openings so well that it isn't a challenge for you anymore. maybe it would be fun if you were to have another challenge thrown at you and instead of being able to dominate your opponent you would be equal or behind and you could get better at a different opening. when i was struggling or doing very well with one opening and it got boring i switched to another one to help keep the excitement in chess. what is it that your looking for to spice up your games? pick a tactical opening opposed to a strategcal one ore just pick up another strategical one.
Originally posted by idiomsMy biggest problem with the Sicilian is what to do when white deviates from the open variation. I mean, stuff like the Closed Sicilian, Alapin, Rossolimo, Morra Gambit and so on. I never know what to do against those.
As Black
Try the Sicilian Pelikan against e4 .. the theory is relatively straight forward for a Sicilian and it leads to quite exciting games
Try Benko against d4 .. it is a gambit but very sound.
As for the Benko, I've tried it before and I really suck with it. 😛
Originally posted by kmac27I'm looking for an opening that gives me at least some initiative as white, preferably without having to memorize too many moves. As for black, anything that gives me an unbalanced pawn structure sounds fine. I wouldn't play anything too risky, though - just not my style.
what is it that your looking for to spice up your games? pick a tactical opening opposed to a strategcal one ore just pick up another strategical one.
I'm just tired of giving out easy draws as both white and black without getting a chance to challenge my opponent somehow. Losing as white without ever getting the initiative really sucks, too.
Originally posted by Heroic Metool
My biggest problem with the Sicilian is what to do when white deviates from the open variation. I mean, stuff like the Closed Sicilian, Alapin, Rossolimo, Morra Gambit and so on. I never know what to do against those.
Yep, that's fair enough. Now i'm starting to get an idea of the sort of opening lines you prefer. Perhaps Alekhine's against e4? I personally don't like it but it does let black set the agenda. What about the Dutch against d4 .. it can be played in a very aggressive way and again sets the agenda from move 1.
As for the Benko, I've tried it before and I really suck with it. 😛
I've had several awkward games with it recently myself and am considering giving it up so its perhaps not the best opening for me to go recommending 😀
Originally posted by Heroic MetoolI found the book,
White: 1.d4 (London System)
Black: Caro-Kan against 1. e4, Old Benoni against 1. d4, 1. ... g6 against everything else.
I'm starting to get really bored with chess, and I feel that *might* have something to do with my opening choices. I mean, just look at them.
I need lines that are relatively solid and fun to play. They must not require too mu ...[text shortened]... my pawn structure too much in the first few moves.
Please help me. I need to have fun. 😛
Starting out the Sicilian excellent for my taste. I don't like reading about openings, prefer middlegame, strategy etc...
It's pretty basic, covers the main lines, and gives you 2-3 sample games for each line. You can find some sample pages online at amazon.
All the Starting out books are written the same way and great.
Not very detailed though but enough to get you by.
I'm really suprised that you don't play the sicilian or ruy lopez as black especially at your level.
As black against 1.d4 I play the nizmo or bogo-indian. I watched a Roman Video and he recommended that, and after a couple of times watching it, it stuck. Simple to play compared to other openings and pretty solid. It is kind of dull though compared to Benko, KID, or grunfeld.
RK
Originally posted by Heroic MetoolIf you are really graded 2000+ OTB you don't need our help to find enjoyable openings.
White: 1.d4 (London System)
Black: Caro-Kan against 1. e4, Old Benoni against 1. d4, 1. ... g6 against everything else.
I'm starting to get really bored with chess, and I feel that *might* have something to do with my opening choices. I mean, just look at them.
I need lines that are relatively solid and fun to play. They must not require too mu ...[text shortened]... my pawn structure too much in the first few moves.
Please help me. I need to have fun. 😛
Because I want fun I play
Kings Gambit, Morra Gambit and even the Grob!
As white the Caro Cann and French drive me to destruction but both the Panov-Botvinnik and French Advance seem reasonably exciting.
As black the Open of the Ruy Lopez and the Modern Benoni have some exciting lines. I could always play 1. ... g5 against anything of course. Can't find anything fun to play against 1. c4 yet but there must be something out there.
