Angele, just don't stop experimenting on new ideas. Unlike a Chess Master, we shouldn't be having any inhibition to try out anything...be it a sound or an unsound move. After all, we are just an amateur. No pain no gain...!!!
Mind-Mapping & Sketches in Your Chess Opening.
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Nice post the Dave. The things you mentioned will be useful for me in the future. Thanks a lot.
When I've won Medical Closed Championship in 1992, I was given a Challenge trophy & a chess book called, "Winning Chess Openings" by Fred Reinfeld. The Introduction/Preface by Al Horowitz.
After reading/going through the book and had practised/solitaire through the notations, I thought I had a good control/command of the opening games. Few months later I joined the Sarawak Open Championship. To my disapppointment, not much of the knowledge that I had learned from the book could be applied. However, there was one thing that I've learned from the Championship. Every opening moves/lines basically are focussed on fighting for centre control. Different response from your opponent needs to be dealt with differently and ensure that you are not being caught/engrossed by your own "book move".
Anyway, the following year in 1993, I took part in the Sarawak Open Championship again and this time I managed to clench First Runner-up. The Champion was none other than my good friend, Dick Yeo (aka jovialdick at chess.com)
I believes, everyone starts off with a game plan. We must be able to anticipate our opponent's best move (strength) before we are able to notice our own weaknesses. Try to check on your opponent's most likely best move first before you are trying to check on your own weaknesses.
The idea is to ensure that you have a fluid defense and are able to transpose your pieces (transposition of pieces) into an attack once an opportunity arises.
A chess board is just like a football field. In football, a team is considered to be a very strong team if the players are very well coordinated with one another. Similarly, in chess your pieces are considered to be fully "developed" if your pieces are well placed and well coordinated with one another.
Now, the difference between a winner and a loser is the ability to read the game - the setting of a "set piece" or "imbalance chessplay" or a "sacrifice". For those who wishes to explore further into this details, I suggest you read "Chess Traps" - Pitfalls & Swindles - How To Set Them & How To Avoid Them - by I.A. Horowitz & Fred Reinfeld.
Happy learning & have fun in your game...!!!