When I first started playing chess, I really liked the Colle because I could get out of the first 10 moves without having a losing position.
Now it seems the opening gets your pieces developed in a way that you like. I no longer like the Colle because it is way too passive and closed.
What is it about your opening that you like?
Do you play different openings depending on the strength of your opponent?
After many decades of playing chess I've realised that the positions I like best are those with a blocked or rigid centre where I can probe for weaknesses. The openings which suits me best in this regard are the Caro Kann, the Kings Indian where White plays an early d5 and some lines in the Old Indian, for example:
As White I play quite tactical openings, but they don't suit my style of play so well and I have a much better record with Black, which makes me popular in League matches! I once played 11 Blacks out of 12 games in one season (I was the captain of the team so could swap myself between board 1 and 2 as appropriate). It would have been 12 but the person I kept switching places with complained that he had forgotten how to play Black.
@eladar saidI don't take a lot of notice of my opponent's rating.
When I first started playing chess, I really liked the Colle because I could get out of the first 10 moves without having a losing position.
Now it seems the opening gets your pieces developed in a way that you like. I no longer like the Colle because it is way too passive and closed.
What is it about your opening that you like?
Do you play different openings depending on the strength of your opponent?
I like to play the French as black in reply to e5 or the Kings indian or Nimzo indian to d5.
As white I never open e5.
No particular reason, I'm just more comfortable with Queens pawn openings
@mynameisklint
So why not play yoir best style as white? You already play it 11 out of 12 times, have you forgotten how to play the white pieces?
Good thread.
I don't pay much attention to the actual openings because I am only 1700 online so I put a pawn in the center then develop to good and safe squares and I defend my center pawn with a pawn which leaves me with passive but solid positions and I look for weaknesses and a counter-attack.
In the 1970's they called that style "Tacking"
I have tried to be more aggressive in the opening but it doesn't work for me.
I have to see what my opponents are trying to do so I can react.
@Eladar
Creation.
Reti, with white. Black - French, Sicilian or Queen pawn as dictated by white...
Stick to what the Panzer's know.
@ketchuplover saidThat deserves a thumbs up!
I think of the opening position as a 32 piece endgame 😛
My biggest failing when I was playing serious OTB chess was
neglecting pawn structure and the inevitable end game slog.
@wolfgang59
I used to lose OTB on dark & light square control if I lost a Bishop but I know you mean Wolfgang...
@wolfgang59 saidAre there no attacking victories in your games?
That deserves a thumbs up!
My biggest failing when I was playing serious OTB chess was
neglecting pawn structure and the inevitable end game slog.