Title.
Yes, but at your level you dont need to put much time into it
Not at your level. Focus on the logic of the game to improve your understanding. I.e. improving your worst placed pieces, how to come up with a plan in various types of positions (start with open vs closed positions)
"... For young, inexperienced players, this attack [(1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Nf6 4 Ng5)] is ... not easy to defend. I've seen this position appear hundreds of times in junior games, and Black often goes astray immediately. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen the player with the black pieces losing a rook, or even worse! ... even after [the good move, 4...d5,] Black has to be very careful. ... for now I'm going to recommend [3...Bc5]. ..." - GM John Emms (in the 2018 book, First Steps: 1 e4 e5)
chesscafe.com/book-reviews/first-steps-1-e4-e5-by-john-emms/
www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7790.pdf
"... I am not a big fan of weaker players memorizing lots of opening lines they will never play. However, it is quite a different issue to spend a small amount of time learning how to play your openings a little better each time they occur. A long journey begins with a single step. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2005)
web.archive.org/web/20140627023809/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman50.pdf
"... By looking at entire games, the aspiring player learns about openings, middlegames, and endgames all at one fell swoop. Playing through annotated games spurs improvement as the reader learns how good players consistently handle common positions and problems. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007)
web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf
chesscafe.com/book-reviews/first-steps-1-e4-e5-by-john-emms/
www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7790.pdf
"... I am not a big fan of weaker players memorizing lots of opening lines they will never play. However, it is quite a different issue to spend a small amount of time learning how to play your openings a little better each time they occur. A long journey begins with a single step. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2005)
web.archive.org/web/20140627023809/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman50.pdf
"... By looking at entire games, the aspiring player learns about openings, middlegames, and endgames all at one fell swoop. Playing through annotated games spurs improvement as the reader learns how good players consistently handle common positions and problems. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007)
web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf
I do not hold that there is a threshold for opening research, and believe that the teachers of opening generalities and opening understandings are hogwash. So yes it is very important no matter how bad you are fact is most poor players are bad at the openings that is how they get trapped etc.; the greatest attacking players in history were masters at the opening and to get an advantage from the start is easier than trying to maneuver all the day. Every opening has its own characteristics and if you can recognize them you have an advantage already in foreseeing what the opp is about to do. The only generality to openings is that it is a fight for the center.
You can learn a new opening by just watching a 10 min Youtube video and then start trying it out in online Blitz. Probably a good thing to do if you feel like it. Just look to see what's out there, become acquainted with various ways to play.
Or you can stick to one opening if you prefer that, and accumulate knowledge and experience over time.
In both cases there shouldn't be much pressure there. Actually memorizing opening variations by heart is not a good investment of time for improving players.
If there is a tried and true way of getting better at chess, it's solving tactical puzzles. Memorization of opening theory mostly cuts down on the time you are able to spend on doing things like that, i.e. becoming a stronger player.
Or you can stick to one opening if you prefer that, and accumulate knowledge and experience over time.
In both cases there shouldn't be much pressure there. Actually memorizing opening variations by heart is not a good investment of time for improving players.
If there is a tried and true way of getting better at chess, it's solving tactical puzzles. Memorization of opening theory mostly cuts down on the time you are able to spend on doing things like that, i.e. becoming a stronger player.
i think you don't need to spend too much time in studying openings
just play games and you will learn this way
there is too many combinations that you have to learn in order to be effective,
so try to develop your ability to think by yourself
just play games and you will learn this way
there is too many combinations that you have to learn in order to be effective,
so try to develop your ability to think by yourself
In the opening, you have opening theory and opening principles. The two differ a lot. Opening principles are very important to learn. Opening theory becomes more important if you have mastered opening principles.
The opening is the first stage of the game, and of course, you have to learn it. But the problem with learning the opening is that you can invest a massive amount of time, and you may not see better results. It's hard to know when to stop. Therefore, I would recommend learning openings that use basic opening principles, like the Italian Opening for both colors. Don't learn offbeat openings that go against opening principles, like the Alekhine Defense for Black.
Opening principles:
Control the center: Occupy the central squares with your pawns and pieces, as this gives you greater mobility and more control over the board.
Develop your pieces: Move your knights and bishops out to active squares, towards the center of the board, to prepare for castling and to create threats.
Castle your king: Move your king to safety by castling to either side of the board. This will help protect your king and activate your rook.
Connect your rooks: Bring your rooks together on an open file, such as the d or e file, to control it and to prepare for potential attacks.
Avoid moving the same piece multiple times: Try to avoid moving the same piece multiple times in the opening, as this can waste time and give your opponent a chance to gain an
The opening is the first stage of the game, and of course, you have to learn it. But the problem with learning the opening is that you can invest a massive amount of time, and you may not see better results. It's hard to know when to stop. Therefore, I would recommend learning openings that use basic opening principles, like the Italian Opening for both colors. Don't learn offbeat openings that go against opening principles, like the Alekhine Defense for Black.
Opening principles:
Control the center: Occupy the central squares with your pawns and pieces, as this gives you greater mobility and more control over the board.
Develop your pieces: Move your knights and bishops out to active squares, towards the center of the board, to prepare for castling and to create threats.
Castle your king: Move your king to safety by castling to either side of the board. This will help protect your king and activate your rook.
Connect your rooks: Bring your rooks together on an open file, such as the d or e file, to control it and to prepare for potential attacks.
Avoid moving the same piece multiple times: Try to avoid moving the same piece multiple times in the opening, as this can waste time and give your opponent a chance to gain an
"... you play a4 on move one and if you're good at tactics it doesn't matter. That's the biggest mistake all low rated players make is they think only openings matter. They don't matter at all. ... You could play h3 on move one, rook h2 on move two and if you're 1500 and you're playing another 1500, its irrelevant. Now, if you're Magnus playing Wesley So, it might matter. Probably not. ... I've never been this mad except I'm always this mad. ... All coaches are bad. ... I hate everybody."
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