What makes you think your lack of success is due to the opening?
Are you getting bad positions, positions you don't know how to play, or playable positions you make a mistake in later?
The Scotch isn't too heavily theoretical (although like any good opening it has a lot of theory, I just don't think you need to memorise it, the moves are natural), 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4
Well what I am saying is that the games I am playing in are familiar positions because I study the Italian Game, but the result is more often than not a draw. In addition, I am not all that comfortable with the positions I get out of the opening (like playing with the isolated d pawn) What I am looking for is an opening I can play for a win with rather than playing boring games against the giuoco piano where I don't really have a lot to work with in terms of not just simplifying to a dead draw like most lines of the giuoco.
Thank you for the Scotch Game recommendation though I will look into it.
if you find the giuco piano boring then i suggest playing the evans gambit
Well, the easiest way to start out against 1.e4 e5 is probably the KG as white...if you play 2.nf3, then the play that is most natural is likely the scotch.
I second the scotch. One book I would recommend for that is "Starting Out: the Scotch."
Another one you could play is the King's Indian Attack, though that opening is not as good at higher levels.
if you find the giuco piano boring then i suggest playing the evans gambit
I'm not so sure about the Evans Gambit. I am looking for an opening for OTB tournaments so I would rather have something more solid.
I second the scotch. One book I would recommend for that is "Starting Out: the Scotch."
Another one you could play is the King's Indian Attack, though that opening is not as good at higher levels.
false, carlsen plays it occasionally...and many other great players do too.
Still, I would rather stick with what I know fairly well which is 1.e4
KIA: 1 e4 e5 2 (can go d3 or g3)
that's just a transposition though I don't want to be playing a KIA
I actually looked at the 4 knight's a little but it seems a little drawish.
What makes you think your lack of success is due to the opening?
Are you getting bad positions, positions you don't know how to play, or playable positions you make a mistake in later?
The Scotch isn't too heavily theoretical (although like any good opening it has a lot of theory, I just don't think you need to memorise it, the moves are natural), 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4
+1
isn't the scotch a bit passive though?
If you're considering the scotch, you may as well consider the scotch gambit as well. It leads to fun positions and is hard to defend against correctly. "TheChessWebsite" has a good introductory tutorial on youtube if you're interested.
I would recommend learning the Ruy Lopez. There is not as much theory as you think. It is most important to learn critical positions!
It is so overwhelming though. I feel like there are a lot of lines to study. But I agree with you I know it is a fundamental opening and very solid.
Best and most exciting opening in response to 1) e4 and 1)...e5 is the King's Gambit, 2) f4. A lot of people don't know it and it's easy to fall into a bad position with black if the white player is booked up on it. I've never played a dull King's Gambit game. If you don't like tactics, probably best to avoid, though
If my memory's right, Spassky beat Fischer with the King's Gambit in one of their pre-WCC games
Recently, I have been having trouble finding an opening against 1.e4 e5 that is both easy to study (unlike the ruy lopez) and gives white some advantage. Any suggestions?
Right now, I play the Italian game in OTB tournaments (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) but I haven't been having great success.