How long to try out a new opening?
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Mate,I just started playing chess recently and had no idea there was "openings". I got flogged in my 1st couple of games but now I am starting to pick it up and I am glad I didn't give up! So Isay stick in there.
Do you have a good book covering the theory on the lines you play? For that matter, which lines of the French do you play?
At the 2000+ level, your opponents will know what they're doing, so you'll have to, also. When it comes to the French, John Watson is widely regarded as the best author to follow. His "Play the French" series (currently on the 3rd edition) is considered the best, but he also has a book that introduces the French to beginners, which is probably too low level for you, so don't bother with it.
Maybe you should post a couple of your games and ask for tips on how you could have played it better.
--Fromper
The French is a tricky and sophisticated opening. I cant play it well. Study the games of Botvinnik and Korchnoi.
I have Uhlmann and Watson's books. Back to original question, how long do you play something before it is not something you should play anymore?
That varies by the individual. Personally, I think I've given up on some openings too early, when there was still plenty I could learn by continuing to play them. But based on the tone of this thread, I'd guess you're ready to switch to something else, and you just want some reassurance that you're making the right decision.
--Fromper
I see progress every game. I am tactically strong and play complex positions well. But are some openings actually better than others? How many patients do drug companies have to kill before their drug is a success?
Fotoman wrote:...But are some openings actually better than others?...
"Back to original question, how long do you play something before it is not something you should play anymore?"
Were you really a 2000+ player?
Jan 9, 2008
0
#9
The number of your peers here is fairly modest. There are probably not more than a couple of hundred in the 2000+ club. Most of us are stumbling around in the dark. How about as a warm up exercise just blowing away random opponents? In the meantime you can brush up on MCO, BCO, NIC and drill yourself before you go after challenging play.
Best of luck!
fischer wrote: Fotoman wrote:...But are some openings actually better than others?...
"Back to original question, how long do you play something before it is not something you should play anymore?"
Were you really a 2000+ player?
It is a reasonable question and to question my truthfulness is rude, asshole.
Are some openings better? An opening is only as good as it's execution.
Fotoman wrote:fischer wrote:Fotoman wrote:...But are some openings actually better than others?...
"Back to original question, how long do you play something before it is not something you should play anymore?"
Were you really a 2000+ player?
It is a reasonable question and to question my truthfulness is rude, asshole.
Are some openings better? An opening is only as good as it's execution.
I guess the answer is "no".
There's not that many players in the world that are over 2000 plus??
fischer wrote: Fotoman wrote:fischer wrote:Fotoman wrote:...But are some openings actually better than others?...
"Back to original question, how long do you play something before it is not something you should play anymore?"
Were you really a 2000+ player?
It is a reasonable question and to question my truthfulness is rude, asshole.
Are some openings better? An opening is only as good as it's execution.
I guess the answer is "no".
Why so nasty fotoman? Were you a 2000+ player otb? uscf or fide? which year(s) ?
fischer wrote: Fotoman wrote:fischer wrote:Fotoman wrote:...But are some openings actually better than others?...
"Back to original question, how long do you play something before it is not something you should play anymore?"
Were you really a 2000+ player?
It is a reasonable question and to question my truthfulness is rude, asshole.
Are some openings better? An opening is only as good as it's execution.
I guess the answer is "no".
You don't think some openings are better than others? You think 1. h3 and 1. Na3 are just as good as 1. e4 or 1. d4?
Below the 2000 level, anything is playable if you know how to play it well. But once you reach a certain level (or more importantly, your opponents reach a certain level), you can't get away with "junk". The individual definition of "junk" is dependant on the strength of the opponent.
--Fromper
USCF 1976, played for Georgia Tech in Pan AM games in New York same year
Fromper, reread the thread. My response was in reference to the question I had asked. (In fairness though, it was a little ambiguous, and I should have been more clear.)
Fotoman wrote: USCF 1976, played for Georgia Tech in Pan AM games in New York same year
Did you play many tournaments in Georgia in the 70s? I remember when the US Open was in Atlanta, cant recall which year that was though....
I will take Fischer's response as something of an apology. And for my profanity I am sorry. Ok, let's say I am merely an 1900 player if that makes you rating geeks happy. I will be 2000 here soon, don't worry.....
The thread is clear, Are some openings better than others? Is a french worse than a sicilian? Is the caro-kahn better than alekhine? What makes an opening better? Traps, space, pawn structure, initiative, tempo, development? How much does style play? How much does rating differentil play in opening selection? What would you play Reb against Karpov, or Korchnoi, or Krammik? Is one specific opening better against all three? Of course not.
Jan 9, 2008
0
#19
The US Open in Atlanta was in 1980. It was won by Fedorwicz and Gheorghiu. I attended but didn't play.
Tal once said a chessplayer should always be "true to himself". In the context in which he was speaking he meant that you should play what you know/understand best.......regardless of who your opponent is. So , I would play sicilian against 1e4 and kid or slav against 1d4. If I am white I would play 1d4. I think some openings are better than others, if you look at stats in databases with millions of games some openings clearly do better than others. As for when to stop trying a particular opening I think this is an individual thing and will differ from player to player, I dont think there is a "correct answer". I have tried many openings, giving some longer trial periods than others. I am also speaking strictly of otb chess when I refer to my chess. I don't take online chess seriously and often play stuff online that I dont play otb.
Having recently joined this site after a 30 year vaction from chess I am starting to knock the rust off my game and get back to 2000+ form I was in the 1970s.
I played the sicilian and decided that I would try the french also. My record with it so far has been abismal so far. I know I have a learning curve to overcome, but when do I give up, is there advise the stronger players can give to me? Thanks