How To Build An Opening? - Chess and Board Game Strategy

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How To Build An Opening?

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11-24-2012 , 01:08 PM

droidd

centurion

Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 175

I've been told to simply memorize openings to help my terrible rating, but I disagree. I see more value in understanding why an opening is created in the way it is so I can understand the key principles of the game that it is built around.

But the problem is that I don't understand why an e4 opening is a great opening. The only thing I semi-understand is that it develops two pieces with one move.

Can you please help me understand what principles effective openings are based around? i.e. board control, piece development(that's all I know)

Thanks in advance!

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11-24-2012 , 01:38 PM

John_Douglas

banned

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 667

Quote:

Originally Posted by droidd

In short - piece development and central control are the two key factors you should be considering.

That's why 1.e4 and 1.d4 are the most popular opening moves. Both establish space in the centre and open for the development of the Bishop and Queen.

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11-24-2012 , 01:55 PM

ganstaman

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 10,852

As always, I recommend Dan Heisman's Novice Nook articles: http://home.comcast.net/~danheisman/...Nook_Links.htm

They are sorted there by date and also by category. There's a section on openings, that has articles like this one: http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman53.pdf

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11-25-2012 , 06:14 AM

Dynasty

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 25,943

Try this book.

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11-25-2012 , 01:48 PM

spoonitnow

old hand

Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,400

Quote:

Originally Posted by droidd

But the problem is that I don't understand why an e4 opening is a great opening. The only thing I semi-understand is that it develops two pieces with one move.

It might help to think about it in comparison to other opening moves comparing how they influence the center, develop pieces, etc.

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11-25-2012 , 09:15 PM

KyleJRM82

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,785

Quote:

Originally Posted by droidd

But the problem is that I don't understand why an e4 opening is a great opening. The only thing I semi-understand is that it develops two pieces with one move.

That and it controls some central squares. What more do you need?

People outsmart themselves in the opening. I've been doing a lot of club-player crushing lately, and the biggest problem is that they get too fancy in the opening. I develop pieces and control the center, they don't, and I roll.

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11-27-2012 , 05:34 AM

wheelflush

veteran

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,381

There's not much to memorize at first. You'll see the same moves over and over again. Ruy Lopez, Italian, Philidor, Sicilian. If you know the first 3 moves of each you can pretty much figure the other popular openings too (Scandinavian, French, and queen's pawn).

One rule that seems to work no matter your color: never move your queen's knight on the first move.

But just knowing 3 moves is good enough to get your opponent out of book before you most of the time. And when you're hungry for deeper knowledge, you'll be more apt to understand it.

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