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Originally posted by Mephisto2I think I should start playing some "real" openings first - it's not like there's a lot of middlegame tactics to be found on the London System and the Exchange Caro-Kann. Most of the time I'm on the defending side, and I can usually spot tactical moves for my opponents and prevent them with little trouble. Time to start creating opportunities for myself too, I guess. =P
That sounds good to me. Next step towards a substantial improvement is middlegame tactics then.
As for the book "On The Endgame" by C.J.S. Purdy, I've never heard of it. Is it good?
Originally posted by Heroic MetoolHave you ever heard of C.J.S. Purdy? Well, its basically a book with a compilation of just about all he has written on the endgame through chess life articles... all corrected by GM Karsten Muller.
I think I should start playing some "real" openings first - it's not like there's a lot of middlegame tactics to be found on the London System and the Exchange Caro-Kann. Most of the time I'm on the defending side, and I can usually spot tactical moves for my opponents and prevent them with little trouble. Time to start creating opportunities for myse ...[text shortened]...
As for the book "On The Endgame" by C.J.S. Purdy, I've never heard of it. Is it good?
I think it depends also on your level. For example, I'm 1550. So a weaker opponent is under 1400. The difference beetween 1550 and 1350 is a better positional and final play. (in my opinion) It is because I remember when I was 1300, I didn't have much positional nor final skills. (like 0 skills). So When I play my games against weaker player, I consider the fact that I'm better at those points and try to take advantage of it. Since I'm not 1700, I don't know what is the difference beetween 1500 and 1700. So far, it seems thay have more tactical play then I do. I think that the better you get , the better your final skills are. This way, I would tend to go as soon as possible in final.
Originally posted by exigentskyI think the best way is to play the same as you would always play, unless you know more about your opponent, especially what his weaknesses as a chess player are.
It's inevitable that we will have to face both weaker and stronger players throughout our chess career. How should we face each?
Some advise to play the same way against all comers. Same opening, same style, same everything. Others suggest complicating matters as much as possible against weaker players and keeping it simple against the stronger opponen ...[text shortened]... ind first.
Where do you stand on this? How do you deal with this situation in tournaments?
I won't refrain from playing a caro-kann versus clearly weaker players despite play being mostly strategical without almost any tactics because I feel I can outplay them strategically.
It all comes down to utilizing your own strengths and your opponent's weaknesses. Since you usually don't know the latter in tournament play, concentrate on playing your own game.