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| Posted by andy94 legalserv.com 10/07/2008 12:09:55 Play online chess |  Subject: Chess opening.Message: I started to use English opening and I won about 90% of games played. But, in theory, what are English opening's pros? And what opening do you play more? Thanks for reading and, please, comment. |
| Posted by dysfl legalserv.com 10/07/2008 13:19:31 Play online chess | Just enjoy it for now Message: I'm another beginner. I don't think the choice for first move would make that much difference, at least at your level or mine. I have never played other than 1. d4 for a while, but even I play 1. h4, my winning rate would not change more than 5% to either way. I have played many other players in GK, with a little higher than my level, and some play pretty lame opening moves, but beats me down to the ground in the middle game. If you have 90% success with English, that’s great. Maybe it suits you for now. If it happens to me, I would enjoy it while it lasts. |
| Posted by tugger legalserv.com 10/07/2008 16:44:16 Play online chess | Message: As Black, I tend to variate a little. I usually reply to 1. e4 with 1... c5 (Sicilian), but am comfortable with 1... Nf6 (Alekhine). Sicilian, statistically speaking, is Black's strongest defence, but most players are familiar with this opening, so sometimes I think it's best to play a defence that white is less comfortable with. As for 1. d4, I do not play this myself. I religiously defend as Black with 1... f5 (Dutch), and take the Leningrad line (g6 followed by Bg7, and castling behind). I have a win rate of better than 50%, I suspect this is because the majority of players at my level are not prepared for the kingside attack that comes with this defence. I have never played 1. c4, though I have had it played against me a few times. The database suggests 1... c5 is best reply, but I always take the opportunity to play Dutch in this event, since as Black I am very comfortable with this. If opening theory is something you wish to learn more about, then first stop should be the database here at GK. Before I started playing here, my opening knowledge was very limited. No sooner had I started to study, my rating soared by 200 points to 1600 over a couple of months. It's a very useful tool. |
| Posted by ccmcacollister legalserv.com 10/12/2008 13:19:53 Play online chess | English = Message: You might want to check into IM John Watson and CCM Stephen Gerzadowicz for some interesting English and closed opening ideas. 1.c4 and 1.g3 type |
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