26 May 07
Originally posted by ladyviola66Buy a copy of Modern Chess Openings. Look up the Sicilian. Wither in despair. I think the only other opening in the book to rival the number of pages that the Sicilian commands is possibly the Spanish (Ruy Lopez.)
I am a novice. I've tried Sicilian as black but don't have enough control over it to win against someone solid. Often as white, I have to play against it, so I might as well learn some of the lines.
Should I look at Dragon,Yugoslav,???
What are better black openings for beg-intermed. players, and why?
Ladyviola66
I've forgotten who said it, but at your (and my) level, keep it simple. You want a nice playable (although many say boring) opening, try the French - it stops a-holes from trying to pull the fool's mate and scholar's mate, but is playable for beginners.
26 May 07
Someone I'm trying to teach wants a Sicilian (him as black & rated just over 1000) here's my reply after his 1...c5:
I never allow Sicilian as white - I will play 2.d4 in our game, which may cause you early problems & goes into my prepared lines. I don't like that much theory!
Also I would suggest you don't play it as black to begin with - it is very complicated & like any opening that imbalances the game (my Dutch for example) requires a lot of understanding.
I think 1...e5 is much better for learning the basics, or if you want a more defensive game, 1...e6 French defense if you know anything of that.
If you like we can start another game, or I can play 2.d4 in this one?
26 May 07
3 edits
Originally posted by jvanhineI'm playing 2 games white & black both unrated.
seems kind of mean only 1 move into the game😞
1...e5 is much more common at novice levels anyway, so that would be useful. Also it generally leads to more tactical play early on, as opposed to shuffling pieces & pushing pawns around in a main-line Sicilian which is what my opponent messaged me after he went 1..c5.
My natural response is 2.d4 which is not what he will see regularly if he does adopt the Sicilian at some stage.
He's doing fine in the other one:
Game 3604194
26 May 07
Originally posted by SquelchbelchI have ALWAYS played the sicilian - I've experimented with the Najdorf, Sveshnikov (Which I feel like playing a bit again, it's very advanced, but it's got potential), and Dragon (which I'm working on mastering - if that's possible with something so complex) and I can say with 100% certainty that I still don't know what the hell I'm doing.
I'm playing 2 games white & black both unrated.
1...e5 is much more common at novice levels anyway, so that would be useful. Also it generally leads to more tactical play early on, as opposed to shuffling pieces & pushing pawns around in a main-line Sicilian which is what my opponent messaged me after he went 1..c5.
My natural response is 2.d4 whic ...[text shortened]... es adopt the Sicilian at some stage.
He's doing fine in the other one:
Game 3604194
Really, an opening like the Sicilian could take a lifetime to master.
26 May 07
1 edit
Originally posted by cmsMasterMore like 3 lifetimes...
I have ALWAYS played the sicilian - I've experimented with the Najdorf, Sveshnikov (Which I feel like playing a bit again, it's very advanced, but it's got potential), and Dragon (which I'm working on mastering - if that's possible with something so complex) and I can say with 100% certainty that I still don't know what the hell I'm doing.
Really, an opening like the Sicilian could take a lifetime to master.
I too have always played the Sicilian, starting when I saw the Dragon in a book and thought it was the coolest thing ever. Though I gave up the Dragon after several months (I'd just face junk like 2. Bc4 from the level of opponents at that time anyways) I found the Accelerated Dragon (first from an excerpt by Silman in The Amateur's Mind) and have used it since.
If you look at the rhp database, most e4 games under 1400 are 1. ...e5 while stronger players prefer c5. So e5 is definitely more popular with weaker players, possible because it's a more obvious move. I would also suppose that it is less complicated, except for a little something called the Ruy Lopez...
26 May 07
2 edits
Originally posted by YUG0slavPost cut off - btw, certain symbols have that effect on the RHP forum. (specifically greater than or less than symbols).
More like 3 lifetimes...
I too have always played the Sicilian, starting when I saw the Dragon in a book and thought it was the coolest thing ever. Though I gave up the Dragon after several months (I'd just face junk like 2. Bc4 from the level of opponents at that time anyways) I found the Accelerated Dragon (first from an excerpt by Silman in The Amateur's Mind) and have used it since.
If you look at the rhp database, most e4 games
Ok...nm.
26 May 07
Originally posted by YUG0slavI still get 2.Bc4 sicilians all the damn time, it's really quite aggravating, especially when 1750's play it. 🙁
More like 3 lifetimes...
I too have always played the Sicilian, starting when I saw the Dragon in a book and thought it was the coolest thing ever. Though I gave up the Dragon after several months (I'd just face junk like 2. Bc4 from the level of opponents at that time anyways) I found the Accelerated Dragon (first from an excerpt by Silman in The Amate ...[text shortened]... so suppose that it is less complicated, except for a little something called the Ruy Lopez...
1...e5 is complex with the Ruy, you're right, but I have no doubt that the Sicilian is far more difficult. I think for novices that the Scandinavian - as much as they may hate the idea - is a great option, maybe the best option.
26 May 07
Originally posted by cmsMasterWhy the problem with 2.Bc4 Sicilian?
I still get 2.Bc4 sicilians all the damn time, it's really quite aggravating, especially when 1750's play it. 🙁
1...e5 is complex with the Ruy, you're right, but I have no doubt that the Sicilian is far more difficult. I think for novices that the Scandinavian - as much as they may hate the idea - is a great option, maybe the best option.
Just send them a suitably unimpressed P.M & play 2...e6, 3...Nf6, 4...d5 & they have wasted time and/or given up the center 😉
26 May 07
Originally posted by cmsMaster2. Bc4 at 1750? Just smile and win.
I still get 2.Bc4 sicilians all the damn time, it's really quite aggravating, especially when 1750's play it. 🙁
1...e5 is complex with the Ruy, you're right, but I have no doubt that the Sicilian is far more difficult. I think for novices that the Scandinavian - as much as they may hate the idea - is a great option, maybe the best option.
The only Lopez variation I ever use is the Exchange (seriously, I still have no pet opening after e5. What a strange e4 player I am...). Though as black, I did recently play e5 against my friend and went into the Modern Archangel. I won the game but it had little to do with the opening.
Back to c5 and black responses to e4...I do remember reading some article by a master who suggested d5 for black if he's an attacking player, and e6 for the positional player.
26 May 07
Originally posted by YUG0slavI couldn't believe it when I saw it either, and he suitable outplayed me all game and won.
2. Bc4 at 1750? Just smile and win.
The only Lopez variation I ever use is the Exchange (seriously, I still have no pet opening after e5. What a strange e4 player I am...). Though as black, I did recently play e5 against my friend and went into the Modern Archangel. I won the game but it had little to do with the opening.
Back to c5 and black resp ...[text shortened]... aster who suggested d5 for black if he's an attacking player, and e6 for the positional player.
I think 1...d5 can be good for either really, I think it's more positional actually, but there are weapons like the Portugese Gambit that are intense.
26 May 07
2 edits
Originally posted by cmsMasterc5, Accelerated Dragon: all the positional you'll ever need.
I couldn't believe it when I saw it either, and he suitable outplayed me all game and won.
I think 1...d5 can be good for either really, I think it's more positional actually, but there are weapons like the Portugese Gambit that are intense.