Good Opening Ideas For a Returning Player

Since I haven't played a game of chess (apart from the couple that I've done here) for two years - and then only one or two games - and for maybe another year before that, I've forgotten massive chunks of my strategy. So, would you be able to advise me on what openings I should do, so I can get the game more under my control early on?

Thanks guys!

That's impossible to answer, without knowing your playing style. What do you rather have, a four-pawn center (1.e4/e5/d4/d5/c4/c5) or a double fianchetto (1.Nf3/c4/g3)?

Tactics are more important than openings at your current level, but here are some resources that would be profitable to study even now:

• http://www.exeterchessclub.org.uk/Openings/10openrules.html
• Ward's, "Improve Your Opening Play Now"
• Fine's, "Ideas Behind the Chess Openings"
• Strategy of 'My System' series

Their focus, of course, is on understanding rather than memorization. But do try to play the same 3 or so moves every time so your games take similar paths. :)

Their focus, of course, is on understanding rather than memorization. But do try to play the same 3 or so moves every time so your games take similar paths. :)

Oops! I quoted you because it wouldn't post normally, but I guess I didn't delete the whole thing... :S

Yes, chess.com did send me a nice t-shirt! But I'm thinking it was more for my platinum membership than for the 1000 member points. ;)

Ah, ok! :D Well, hopefully I'll eventually reach 1k, so then I can nag the staff to give me one! Although I might have to get a print-screen of the post as evidence! :P

MajorIsoor wrote:

Since I haven't played a game of chess (apart from the couple that I've done here) for two years - and then only one or two games - and for maybe another year before that, I've forgotten massive chunks of my strategy. So, would you be able to advise me on what openings I should do, so I can get the game more under my control early on?

Thanks guys!

I heartily recommend the Colle-Zukertort for White...especially if you want to spend more time working on your strategy and tactics than your opening theory.

[Disclaimer: I wrote a book on the opening, so of course I like it.]

Ah, ok! I'll check it out!

returning player - i suggest a few days of warming up on tactics problems - then play Krazy Kat and such at blitz [see Bill Wall's blogs here and on his site] - then your own playing style will soon come back to you.

Uh, so is "Krazy Kat" a user here, or just an AI? Since I don't really want to go below 1000 points again! :D But I'll check it out when I get the chance!

It is an opening, and also a defence system!

http://blog.chess.com/billwall/off-the-wall-opening---the-krazy-kat

http://blog.chess.com/view/off-the-wall-opening---black-krazy-kat

likesforests,

I see that you've discovered the exeter chess club archives too! Great stuff - and all in one simple download bundle! [I downloaded it 3 years ago or so.]

Ah, I see! Quite embarrassing mistaking a strategy for a person! :D But thanks for that, I'll keep those in mind for future games!

Eh? "Trompowsky"? What on earth do you mean by that? :S

Ward's book is 50% off as eBook this month

Oh, and I guess King's Indian Attack gets a few votes?

The Trompowsky is an off-beat opening for White: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5.

normajeanyates> [I downloaded it 3 years ago or so.]

I never thought of downloading it all. Good idea, you never know when a good resource is gonna disappear on you.

Ah, ok then! Hey, so, I'm in the midst of a game, and I think I just screwed up big-time by moving my knight into a poor position, although if my opponent takes it with his bishop, I can take the bishop. Mind you, it's my last knight. (I realized that too late, since I didn't think the move through, enough. :() Hang on, I'll go get the link.

Pending... :P

Here we are!

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=8578343