Only Chess
20 Aug 06
30 Oct 06
Originally posted by ivan2908First suggestion: Do some endgame study (e.g. study an endgame manual like Dvoretsky's Engame Manual). At the very least, pick up basic endgame concepts like 'opposition', winning vs. drawing K and P endgames etc from most standard books (e.g. one of Silman's or Pritchard's books). This will give you the confidence to go into those endgame positions and the knowledge to handle them even when your opponent is exchanging pieces willy-nilly.
I am wondering what are the best openings for chess beginers (1300 rating). I mostly play Four knights opening, Spanish or Italian opening, because of fast castling, controling the center of the board. The problem is, when I play this type of opening pretty often occurs that my oppenent start trading his pieces, and suddenly the middlegame is over and we bo ...[text shortened]... s, strategy and positional play, not just trading pieces till the end. What do you guys suggest?
Second suggestion: I don't think you can find openings with closed games and lots of tactics. Closed games tend to be more strategic/positional. If you don't like the tactics all that much, you might want to start opening with 1. d4 (or even 1. c4 or 1. Nf3) -- these are typically closed games where strategic and positional considerations come into play.
Note: A lot of the strategy and quite a bit of positional play does focus on getting a favourable endgame, so there's no escaping a study of that phase!
30 Oct 06
Originally posted by YUG0slavI agree with this. Gambits are fun, but they should be left until the beginner has a little more experience. This doesn't mean you shouldn't encourage them to learn tactical ideas and try them out in their games, just that the tactics shouldn't start from move 2!
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4
4. c3
I believe...
anyways, imo beginners really should avoid gambit openings...
and if you really want a gambit opening, 2. f4 and bam there you go. Borris would be proud.
30 Oct 06
Originally posted by Fat LadyThe KG starts from move two, and I think it's great at any level, but to each his own.
I agree with this. Gambits are fun, but they should be left until the beginner has a little more experience. This doesn't mean you shouldn't encourage them to learn tactical ideas and try them out in their games, just that the tactics shouldn't start from move 2!
31 Oct 06
Originally posted by cmsMasterand I think it's too unstable for newbies, especially when you don't how to coordinate your pieces to take advantage of the development lead and extra central pawn
The KG starts from move two, and I think it's great at any level, but to each his own.
28 Jan 08
Originally posted by lucifershammerDvoretsky's is generally targeted towards masters and near masters. It would be a horrible choice for a beginner. I think Silman's would be better.
First suggestion: Do some endgame study (e.g. study an endgame manual like Dvoretsky's Engame Manual). At the very least, pick up basic endgame concepts like 'opposition', winning vs. drawing K and P endgames etc from most standard books (e.g. one of Silman's or Pritchard's books). This will give you the confidence to go into those endgame posi ...[text shortened]... /i] focus on getting a favourable endgame, so there's no escaping a study of that phase!
My advice would be to avoid positional play altogether until you're at least 1800-1900. It will make you better in the long run and you will get better faster. Plus, you cant really understand positional play until you have a good tactical base.
For openings I would play the openings they played in the pre-Steinitz era. The kings gambit is good but the main lines are analyzed to death. I would play the kings bishops gambit. Thats what I played from 1200-1600. Its very tactical, easy to learn and gets out of book quickly.
28 Jan 08
Originally posted by ivan2908Wow, I was very intelligent back in days.. Why is this thread bumped..?
I am wondering what are the best openings for chess beginers (1300 rating). I mostly play Four knights opening, Spanish or Italian opening, because of fast castling, controling the center of the board. The problem is, when I play this type of opening pretty often occurs that my oppenent start trading his pieces, and suddenly the middlegame is over and we bo ...[text shortened]... s, strategy and positional play, not just trading pieces till the end. What do you guys suggest?
29 Jan 08
The Stonewall as white is a nightmare to break down. You'll learn some useful strategic positions. I don't agree with whoever posted that you should avoid complex positions and exchange into simple positions: against a strong player you are just simplifying their win and bringing down to basic concepts with which they will be more familiar.
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30 Jan 08
Originally posted by ivan2908d4
I am wondering what are the best openings for chess beginers (1300 rating). I mostly play Four knights opening, Spanish or Italian opening, because of fast castling, controling the center of the board. The problem is, when I play this type of opening pretty often occurs that my oppenent start trading his pieces, and suddenly the middlegame is over and we bo ...[text shortened]... s, strategy and positional play, not just trading pieces till the end. What do you guys suggest?
e4
or c4
or, as black
e4 c5
d4 g8f6
or c4 g8f6
Lead to fun positions.