Originally posted by ark13Oh, one thing I do know is true about this subject thread though. If you look at the person's rating who wanted to peruse the below systems, you would be half crazy to expect him to needlessly dabble in openings and opening theory when he's rated 1245 at present. I think a book like Killer Chess Tactics would do him more good. If he doesn't care to get stronger, and just wants an easy to learn repertoire, I'd say check out How to Play Winning Chess by Horrowitz. It teaches you the entire plan of the Stonewall Attack for White, Sicilian - Dragon Variation for Black's response to e4, and Lasker's Defense for Black's response to d4. I think that sums this whole thread up for the maker of it. Otherwise, if you want to get stronger, study tactics and endgame. THere are monster chess players out there who didn't learn for years about opening theory and repertoire's and they are tactical monsters on the chessboard. In that last comment, I am merely paraphrasing from Lev Alburt's Comprehensive Chess Course series Volume II. 🙂 I think he - a grandmaster and three time U.S. Chess champion knows best. 🙂
Ummm, those are about the fartherest from what he's looking for that you could get. He wants an opening system, not a flashy tactical game that'll be over in 15 moves. I'm refering to the ones that you suggested for white.
EDIT: Also, from a few seconds of googling, I don't believe there's a queen's gambit- Archangel variation. There's a Ruy Lopez bearing that name.
Bucky
1. Colle.
2. King's Indian Attack.
3. English with 2.g3 (as recommended in Kosten's "Dynamic English".
4. Reti.
5. Nimzo-Larsen
p.s. Oh, and I see many people at tournaments in possession of opening manuals named A to Z, and they're rated 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500!??? Forget it! Tactics! Work a puzzle out each day. It will do you better. Work some combinational puzzles out! Play through 100 classical games by the grandmasters see why they make each move. That's where it's at! I use to not be able to beat my chess computer on level 32 - rated about 1350 if you win. After Killer Chess Tactics and still studying Lev Alburt's Comprehensive chess course on tactics and endgame strategies, I draw and crush my computer on the highest level of 72. Take lightly my RHP rating. I move instantly on here. 🙂 But, I'm thinking of starting to think soon. hehe
I love how slowly but surely people take this thread away from what the OP wanted. He wanted opinions on the five systems he gave, or possibilities for other systems he missed. Powershaker, you have completely missed the mark. Not only did you give a bunch of nonrelated lines, a made up opening line, but none of them are systems. He wants something you can play against everything. There are so many things wrong with your posts it's mind boggling.
A. Morphy played 1.e4 almost exclusively, so I have no idea where you saw him play the English or the "Archangel System" in the Queen's Gambit, which I have never heard of.
B. You listed about 6 responses as White and black. None of them are systems.
C. I don't consider the Dragon an easy opening to play as Black. I play it and love it, but it's hard work. I still don't completely know what the hell I am doing.
D. HE DIDN'T ASK HOW TO IMPROVE HIS CHESS. He wants opinions on the openings he gave. For the last time, read the posts, and keep on topic.
Xanthos talked about his Catalan system as d4, I talked about the openings he gave, etc... You didn't do anything. Some people just drive me bonkers.
Originally posted by XanthosNZI know Xanthos, but for a play who wants to learn what plans are about, but doesn't care to get stronger, it's the ideal book. I started out with that book, even though I no longer play the Dragon because of the light squared weakness on the fianchetto, I still think it's a fun opening to learn when you're just starting out.
What the hell is the Sicilian Dragon doing in that plan? Unless you have a lot of time to spend keeping up to date with the latest lines and novelties and an enjoyment for positions that make your head spin steer clear.
Originally posted by !~TONY~!No, what I'm saying is that he doesn't need to learn an opening system! He needs to study tactics and endgame to get stronger. WHy does a 1245 player need an opening system? Get real!
I love how slowly but surely people take this thread away from what the OP wanted. He wanted opinions on the five systems he gave, or possibilities for other systems he missed. Powershaker, you have completely missed the mark. Not only did you give a bunch of nonrelated lines, a made up opening line, but none of them are systems. He wants something you can ...[text shortened]... d about the openings he gave, etc... You didn't do anything. Some people just drive me bonkers.
Oh, love your comment on your profile bony Tony: I am a blue belt in martial arts, so watch out! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Hahaha, if you knew what a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu could do to your body you wouldn't laugh. It take about as long to get a blue belt in BJJ as it does to maybe get a purple or brown in TKD or Karate. Keep in mind that a BJJ practioner won 3 out of the first 5 Ultimate Fighting Championships. Alas, your ignorance shown again. I love how you are still talking about how he needs to work on his tactics. We all do! That's not what he asks. You remind me of that dog from the movie Doctor DoLittle. No matter what Eddie Murphy says, the only thing the dog says is "Throw the ball!" Over and over.
Originally posted by Sicilian Smaug
Why do you always have to start talking about your chess computer and your rating in every thread? No one cares! Your chess ability is of no interest to anyone but yourself, you gibbering retard.. Go play your little computer on level 73 and leave everyone alone fool.ðŸ˜
Hi - Original Poster here again...
Thanks everyone for the input on my question. I fully agree with the poster who said that studying tactics is the key to improving, but I'm not sure why he inferred that I don't want to improve or refuse to study tactics simply because I asked a question about opening systems. The majority of my limited study time is spent on tactics puzzles. Surely, though, a player must have some idea of the opening he/she is going to play and its general aims. There are plenty of points, especially early in the game, where there are no tactics available. In these instances, being familiar with (at least) the first few moves of your opening becomes important, and the systems I mentioned seem to be an efficient manner in which to reach this familiarity.
If I were a promising 12 year old, I would certainly play 1.e4 and take on all comers in every open variation planning to spend years developing a deep repertoire. But as an adult with a life and a job, I have to be expedient with my chess study. If you look through some of the games in the openings I mentioned you see the names of great GMs, even world champions, on the losing end.
And, by the way, Yasser Seriwan recommends the KIA (actually the Barcza generally transposing) in his book "Winning Chess Openings". I'm sure he knows a thing or two.
Scott