A Few Questions

Well, i have a few questions.

1. Is the Franco-Benoni a sound opening?

2. How can i get better at tactics( srry that this is in opening forums.... and im already pretty darn good at tactics i just have trouble ahead far enough to see some)

3. What are the best ipod touch chess apps (preferably free, but do not have to be)

                 thank you in advance, cmi14

please answer guys i really need your help

I don't get this obsession people have with opening names.  Why not just play the best moves you can.  Thats what I do, I don't worry about what an opening is called. 

Franco-Benoni (had to look it up):

http://www.chesscafe.com/text/kibitz13.txt

If Harding is recommending it, then it can't be all bad.

to answer #2-

first off I think if you have trouble seeing far ahead then its impossible to be a good tactical player, so what I think you meant was youre good at spotting the motifs, but you have weak calculation?

Im working on the same thing right now. what Im going is setting up the tactics on a real board, but not trying to move the pieces around (until I have it for sure) . I come up with the variations in my head and I write them down on a piece of paper. I try to make as many lines as I think could be tried for my opponent. it seems to be helping

ok thank you everybody for helping me i just have one more question ill repeat it: What are some of the best chess apps for ipod touch/iphone??

I use Chessfree. Do you have iTunes? I think that's what it's called at least. If you do have iTunes, just search for chess and test out the various applications until you find one that you like.

As for the Franco-Benoni, I have no clue. Never played it, never had to play against it.

For tactics, I'd recommend buying puzzle books or looking for free tactics trainers online. www.chesstempo.com is a widely accepted resource for many players to practice their tactics - for free!

 thank you i will follow that advice. Any more suggestions for anything?????

To the opening poster maybe a board showing the position of the Franco-Benoni may have been useful! 

Its a general rule that a post shouldn't really leave the other members of the forum topic having to look anything up. 

Ooooh! Ooooh! I know the answer to number three!

The best free app by far is Glaurung. It's powerful, easy to use, and free. It is quite easily better than all other free apps.

And if you're going for free apps, I recommend Shredder lite. It's also a great app.

On the much more expensive end, I would go for HIARCS. It's similar to Glaurung, and it is way better than it's competitors, Fritz or Shredder.

thank you everybody!!