22 Nov 07
1 edit
Originally posted by Dutch DefenseThe Sicilian is usually VERY slippery and liable to get you killed quickly. This isn't just at our level- it happens at the GM level too. If you don't want to die, I strongly recommend e5! e5 is a solid choice that is nonetheless full of interesting positions and gives Black a good chance to play for a win. If White fools around, it isn't difficult to get initiative and a better position because piece development is paramount so they're all ready to spring into action. Just see the Marshall gambit in the Ruy Lopez! While it's called a gambit, Black has full compensation and White has therefore mostly tried avoided it. It gives Black lots of pressure. If you want to be super-safe there is the Petroff too but neither player is likely to get more than a draw barring major blunders.
that won't kill me.
There are of course other choices iike the French, Caro-Kann and even some Sicilians like the Kan and Taimanov. But e5 is definitely my recommendation. It also has the benefit of being all the rage at the Super-GM level. I think it has surpassed the Sicilian in popularity. This means that you can use the latest games for instruction and ideas.
22 Nov 07
Originally posted by exigentskyWell if you're just looking for something that won't cause you to self destruct I think the Scandinavian is a good choice, it's solid and about as risk-less as you get (assuming you don't play something like the Portugese). But where's the fun in that? I'd say play the Sicilian, or hell even the French...where you may get yourself into such a terrible web that you've finished yourself, but you'll still learn a lot.
The Sicilian is usually VERY slippery and liable to get you killed quickly. This isn't just at our level- it happens the GM level too. If you don't want to die, I strongly recommend e5! e5 is a solid choice that is nonetheless full of interesting positions and gives Black a good chance to play for a win. If White fools around, it isn't difficult to get i ...[text shortened]... and even some Sicilians like the Kan and Taimanov. But e5 is definitely my recommendation.
BTW: The Ruy can be quite deadly if you misstep against a Lopez expert.
22 Nov 07
Originally posted by Dutch DefenseGame two, two queen moves in the first six moves. Should I really even bother looking further?
Game 4250001
Game 4250015
Game 4276671
Game 4229282
I can't find anymore right now
22 Nov 07
Originally posted by cmsMasterAfter 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 I always play 2...f5.
Well if you're just looking for something that won't cause you to self destruct I think the Scandinavian is a good choice, it's solid and about as risk-less as you get (assuming you don't play something like the Portugese). But where's the fun in that? I'd say play the Sicilian, or hell even the French...where you may get yourself into such a terrible we ...[text shortened]... learn a lot.
BTW: The Ruy can be quite deadly if you misstep against a Lopez expert.
22 Nov 07
1 edit
Originally posted by Dutch DefenseI hate to say this but it's not the Pirc (which is certainly no worse than the Modern), it's you. The Pirc is borderline respectable and is definitely sound enough for up to 2200 at least. Nakamura has employed it numerous times and he's 2700+. This isn't just OTB; it has been used with decent results in CC too. Even on this site, see MotownDave's games. He has played ONLY the PIRC against any response (e4, d4, etc.) and is easily 2200+. I've also asked him if he was worried about any particular lines and if he felt the opening was holding him back and he said he faced no serious problems.
the Pirc is worse than the Modern Defense (1...g6). I'm playing that right now and I'm getting smoked by everyone 😳
22 Nov 07
2 edits
Originally posted by Dutch DefenseOk, since you're wondering (and criticizing) the opening let's just look at moves 1-10:
Here's one that just finished up. I won, but still not sure about it.
Game 4290601
[Event "Open invite"]
[Site "http://www.playtheimmortalgame.com"]
[Date "2007.11.21"]
[EndDate "2007.11.22"]
[Round "?"]
[White "YouGotPawned"]
[Black "Dutch Defense"]
[WhiteRating "1581"]
[BlackRating "1491"]
[Result "0-1"]
[GameId "4290601"]
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bf8g7
3. Ng1f3 c5 (IDK if this is a typical move in the Modern, but it looks fine)
4. dxc5 Qd8a5+ (I don't really like that move, where's the rush in collecting the pawn back anyway, and what's wrong with Nf6 so you can get your king castled ASAP? Isn't that the whole idea behind the Modern? Get your king safe and then strike. I would have tried
4...Nf6 with intentions of O-O, Nf6, Qa5, and Nc6.)
5. c3 Qa5xc5 6. Bc1e3 Qc5c7 (So count it, three queen moves out of the first 6, not exactly productive.)
7. Be3d4 Bg7xd4 (Definitely a mistake. The bishop is your best weapon, you traded your good bishop for his bad bishop, Nf6 instead and you're better developed and you keep the important bishop.)
8. Nf3xd4 a6 (Just why? What's really the point of this move? (9...Nf6 or 9...Nc6 10.Nb5 Qb6 and you're fine.)
9. Nb1d2 Ng8f6 10. f3 d6 (Your position could really be much better here, it looks like white was just as confused though.)
Sorry if I sound like a pretentious dick...
22 Nov 07
Originally posted by exigentskyFor the last time, it's not the Pirc without Nf6.
I hate to say this but it's not the Pirc (which is certainly no worse than the Modern), it's you. The Pirc is borderline respectable and is definitely sound enough for up to 2200 at least. Nakamura has employed it numerous times and he's 2700+. This isn't just OTB; it has been used with decent results in CC too. Even on this site, see MotownDave's games. ...[text shortened]... and if he felt the opening was holding him back and he said he faced no serious problems.
22 Nov 07
Originally posted by Dutch DefenseI realize that but by implication if you think your poor results are due to the Modern and the Modern is better than the Pirc, the Pirc would provide even less satisfactory results. I don't think that's true for either of them.
For the last time, it's not the Pirc without Nf6.