Preparation and Strategy for play

If you have been reading my column, then you know I am obsessed with openings. I have been reading a few books from my local library. One is: “Chess for Tigers” by Simon Webb. It has been a very good book. When I read chess books, I am not trying to digest all of the information, but I try to find one or two things that I can apply consistently in my game. I have found a few gems in this one. They have changed how I see the game and will help me with some areas in my game that will produce some good results. These two are “No quick kills.” and “Prepare a set of opening.”

Now neither of these are new to anyone reading this, but I have to admit, I try to get cute and find some great advantage from the opening. The truth is more than that. Many times I am trying for a win in the opening, not just an advantage. Webb talks about stalking and about pressing any advantage through the game. For example, if my opponent plays conservatively in the opening, then play so that they cannot free up their game. If they are behind in development, try to continue to hinder development and keep then on their heels. Push that advantage. Now at my level of play, I don’t think that will be as easy at it sounds, but at my level of play, Blunders and Silly mistakes are going to happen. If I do this, then my games will be longer and I will have more chances to see how I do in middle and then end game phases.

The second item is to prepare and play only a certain set of opening, or repertoire. As you might guess, that could be hard to do, but I am about to finalize my repertoire. For now it is: As White 1. e4 – Spanish (Ruy Lopez). As Black vs 1.e4 – 1. .. c5 the Sicilian and As Black vs 1. d4 – 1.d4 Queens Gambit Declined. As Black vs Non Standard White openings – 1. c5. Sicilian.

Don’t tell me that it requires LOTS of theory to play the Sicilian. If you just browse through any computer’s opening book, you’ll find the VAST variety of ways to play the Sicilian. But one has to start somewhere when trying to play an opening. As I understand my repertoire and learn it deeper, the better I will be. Then I can start to refine and do better and learn to steer the game into my familiar territory rather then constantly having to research and find what to do. That is really at the heart of the second point from Webb’s book. By preparation of the opening, I can get deeper into the game and understand how my choice of openings and the lines I play effect the middle and ultimately the endgame. Will I lose a lot in the beginning? Probably, but I do need to keep learning. My experience with trying the Caro-Kann was very good. Even though I am putting it on the back shelf, I have learned quite a bit about what I like in an opening from the Caro-Kann.

I am looking forward to playing deeper into games and am looking forward to many end game challenges. I hope I have taken the first step away from Openingitis. No more quick kills. I want to play solid openings and get the chance to play the middle and end game. After a month of playing, we’ll see how things go.

I would appreciate any feedback.