Removing the Noise #2 - Why study openings?

Removing the Noise #2 - Why Study Openings?

In my first article for Removing the noise I briefly discussed the five key areas to focus on once the beginner stage is over. You can view the full article here.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/removing-the-noise-1---the-key-areas

The first area I pointed out is probably one of the more controversial points. The Opening. A lot of advice states that there is no point learning openings and that basic principles should be followed. This is fine for someone just starting out.

It is my opinion that the time to start investigating openings is when the student first looks at planning. To the beginner a plan is a strange and alien concept, they look one or two moves ahead but they never really consider anything past this.

Planning can be quite daunting, sat in a random position trying to come up with a long term strategy, this is where the study of openings is very important because it creates the initial plan. (future articles will return to the subject of planning in more detail)

If the Principles behind an opening choice are learned then a ready made plan exists for the beginning of the game. Where do certain pieces belong, what exchanges are favourable, what exchanges are unfavourable, what squares are important etc. Further study reveals what type of midgame and potentially endgame positions arise and what kind of ideas will be useful. In this way a lot of the hard work of planning has been done. This means in the heat of the battle time is not wasted trying to come up with plans from scratch but can be used for tactics and calculations.

Learning specific opening lines isn’t the goal here. The idea is to learn the principles behind the opening. In a non-master game deviation from the main line is likely. If variations are memorised it can lead to panic. “Maybe I forgot a key move!” 

If the principles are known it is simple to consider the plan, figure out this different move and continue on. Potentially taking advantage of a weaker move.

What methodology can be applied to improve this aspect of play? I use 2-3 different techniques.

1)  Getting the principles - The initial stage is obtaining the principles and plans in an opening, An opening book is possibly the simplest but it will run you at least £10. The book may not suit the player and it is susceptible to the bias of the author. I decide which opening I am going to play and then look around different articles and videos just trying to get a feel for the ideas in the opening.

2) Head to the database - Once I have looked at the basic ideas of the opening I open my database of master games. I personally use fritz 13/chess base along with the TWIC database. In 2013 alone my master database composes some 65000 games. I then search for the opening by position and quickly look over the games. I notice recurring themes. The pawn structures, the position of certain pieces etc. Looking over lots of games very quickly will help reinforce certain plans and what to aim for.

I repeat this process once with every new opening I learn. Initially it is an investment in time but it is of immense value when I sit down at the board and know how I want the game to play out. I just want to stress that you Should not be memorising variations it is the principles that matter.

Thanks for reading and all feedback is appreciated

Next article - Choosing and practicing an opening repertoire.

Nice article.  Thank you for taking the time to write it.  Are there any good resources on-line for master games?  The master games here are OK, but I've got a feeling there are better ones on the market. 

I would reccommend theweekinchess.com

they have a big back catalogue of games from top tournaments etc.

Thank you!