16 Mar 07
Originally posted by Dragon FireTechsouth took me to school on my losing streak in that tournament - advancement for me is unlikely now.
Not afraid, just keeping my plan for his defeat until we play in the KG tournament. One should not reveal ones secret plans too soon!
17 Mar 07
Originally posted by ChessJesterI have simply never played 1. d4. I prefer my game as white with 1. e4 although it is only recently that I returned to the Kings Gambit (after a 20 year break in which I generally played the Ruy Lopez).
May I ask why you don't play 1.d4? is there a reply you don't like playing against?
I can't fault 1. d4 as I often experience difficulty playing against it as black. I guess it is a matter of style.
17 Mar 07
Originally posted by mipmcptFor Najdorf a good starting point is playing the Fischer-Sozin variation for a while against a white player who knows how to exploit it. You will be forced to learn how to deal with sacs on e6. Strong white players love to sac on e6 against the Najdorf!
thanks,i have decided on the Najdorf variation, what are the major principles behind this openning?
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. Bg5
Be7 9. Qf3 Bb7
Why was 9...Bb7 a mistake for black? You will have to learn how to answer this question and how to develop safely and not get destrroyed.
When my friend and I were learning this line, we would destroy each other over and over again as white. Be prepared to lose many games at first until you figure out the white sac's. This is just one example...there are many other lines but this is a starting point.
If white plays passive stuff and you can finish your development without sacs from white, you usually have a great game right out of the gate. You have queenside control, strong central pawns, powerful bishops etc.
18 Mar 07
Originally posted by ChessJesterno...
there are a number of sound replies.
e5
d5
c5
e6
c6
Nf3
It just depends on your playing style. If you are unsure of your style I would reccomend 1...e5, it is theoretically the best.
1. ... c5 is theoretically best, 1. ... e5 is just the most popular because the Sicilian is so damn hard to learn well...
18 Mar 07
1 edit
Originally posted by Raven691. e4 h5?!
1...h5! Then follow up with h4 and h3. You get a good king side attack. Also, as shocking as it may sound, I found that most people don't even bother preparing anything against 1...h5 so if you are well prepared you should have an advantage.
2. d4 h4?!
3. Nc3 h3?!
4. Nxh3 and white is up a pawn in exchange for granting black an open h-file...
i wouldn't want to castle kingside in this situation, but I think white is fine...