The Search for an Opening

Hi everyone,

As is typical on this forum, this a question about selecting an opening repertoire.  Right now I am wanting to expand my study of openings by choosing 1 or 2 of each color to focus my studies on as I continue to study tactics, strategy and endgame.  I am interested in studying a "thematic" opening, one that focuses more on concepts/ideas/strategy behind the opening as opposed to memorization of specific variations.  I understand that in all openings memorization of lines is an important part of understanding and preparing the game, but I am looking for something that is not heavy theory.

A little background:  I have been studying for chess for about a year and a half.  I have not played in any official tournaments yet but I suspect my rating is somewhere in the 1400-1500's.  As far as playing style, I enjoy a mix of strategical positional play and sharp tactical attacks, not sure if I am stronger with either type.  I tend to play well when accumulating small advantages, but have a difficult time converting these advantages to a win at times.  I enjoy combinational play, but have been known to make a number of questionable sacrifices in my attempts to complicate positions and make a game interesting.

My search for an opening has lead me to the English Opening, Reti Opening and King's Indian Attack for white.  I have purchased Fundamental Chess Openings and Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Openings, and while I have utilized these books some I find it difficult to figure out which openings will be less theoretical and suit my play style simply by reading through those books.

Can anyone with a more practical perspective advise me if the aforementioned openings sound like they fit the bill for what I am interested in?  I know that they are somewhat related, and I am wanting to purchase one of the Everyman Chess Starting Out books for the one I select to play, however I would prefer not to purchase all 3.  How closely related are the Reti and King's Indian Attack?  Is the KIA really worth it's own book, or will the concepts it uses also be covered in a Reti book?

For Black, I have not yet decided on an opening.  Those that interest me so far are the KID, Pirc, Caro-Kann and French defense, but once again I am looking for a thematic, conceptual opening as opposed to a theory rich one.  I enjoy fighting for initiative and counterattacking as black, especially in a closed position where play focuses on the flanks.  Any recommendations?

Many thanks in advance for any feedback, it is much appreciated. 

Look into a system called the beginner's game. There's a pdf file on the system that's about 200 pages long. The system eliminates the need to memorize any opening lines whatsoever. The main idea behind it is that you are focusing on defense first by fianchettoing both of your bishops and your army never moves up past the 3rd rank. What I'm telling you right now probably sounds insane to you as it contradicts 99% of all accepted opening theory known to the game of chess. However I can tell you with first hand knowledge that the system works wonderfully as I've used it hundreds of times within my own games both informally and in tournament settings. The system works better with the black army than with the white but can be still used by either side. Lastly the shock value alone will score you a lot of victories because your opponents will most likely have little to zero experience.

Good luck 

If your looking for a sharp opening i suggest the max lange attack. if you want  blood in your hands after playing a game then frankenstein dracula variation would be suitable for ya if those arent good enough for ya then your not human !! sharp openings usually require deep theoreticle knowledge. The sicilian dragon is one of the sharpest openings avaible in chess to my understanding never used it because i love playing against it. any sicilian as a matter of fact requires tons of theory even though they may not be sharp. king´s indian attack is an opening that does not require theory you just need to know a couple of plan´s i use the french defence even though i know it is cramply and not sharp at all have had good results in tournament play. king´s gambit is an opening that gives you tons of plans but i would recommend because i think that black can quickly equalize=/ the pirc is not very sharp but its  a good opening. your dark squared bishop is good in the h8-a1 diagonal and your light squared does not get stuck in the pawn chain. If you want small but nagging advantages as white i reccomend the english opening =).Good luck

I like the English opening for what you describe.  It allows, in most lines, a mobilization of forces without a lot of forcing lines, and lets a player seek a strategic advantage without forcing him to play tactically.  Yet, should black play inaccurately or passively, it allows plenty of tactical attacking potential.  See Christiansen's "Storming the Barricades."  Larry is one of the most uncompromising attackers I've ever come across, and he used the English for about half his career.

As black, I'd recommend the French and KID.  Before you jump on me with "Whoa!  I said LESS theoretical!", let me count up the trumps for you, based on your stated desires...

* both offer MAJOR opportunities for closed positions

* both offer MAJOR opportunities for counterattacks

* both offer MAJOR opportunities for play on the flanks

* both are VERY conceptual

* both are RICH with thematic play

Yes, you can get in trouble, in particlular with the KID, if you run into a REALLY booked up white opponent who is stronger than you.  But the fact of the matter is, you're going to struggle with a booked up white opponent who is stronger than you in ANY opening you choose...the end result will just look a little uglier in the KID.  But (1) you're not going to run into those but once in a blue moon at your level, (2) as you progress, you're going to come to know the theory as well as them anyway, (3) there's such a rich history in that opening that finding study material is a breeze, (4) the KID is so versatile that you can play it against practically anything but e4, so you'll get plenty of chance to practice, and (5) the many, many trumps I listed above, given your particular needs, far outweigh the minor bummer of occasionally dealing with a crush by a guy who knows the white end better than you know the black.

Anyway, whatever you choose...good luck, and keep plugging away.

Thanks everyone for the current feedback, I truly appreciate it =).

DBWarrior, thanks for breaking down the strengths of the particular openings and why you recommend them.  I have been messing around with the KID since I started seriously studying chess and have always enjoyed it, even if I get myself into trouble.  I had heard a lot about needing to know a lot of theory to play that line, which is one reason I was considering changing to something else, but your advice has definitely helped me feel more comfortable with pursuing that opening with my study time.

As far as the French defense, I have read that it is more focused on counter-attacking than the Caro-Kann, so that seems like a good choice for me.  Any comparison against the Pirc as far as a response to 1.e4 based on my style of play?  I felt the Pirc might share positional similarities with the KID and KIA, so if I am studying the KID I might grasp it more quickly.  This is just curiosity though, as I am more than happy to adopt the French, having enjoyed a few test games I have played in it so far.

Another flankish counterpunching defense against 1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 you might like would be the Benko Gambit 2...c5 3. d5 b5, I haven't played it in ages though so I'm not sure what the theory is like these days but I doubt it matters unless your master strength or higher.  I play something like it against the KID 4 pawns attack, and the games are always fun.

I say this in every thread... :)

1. e4 learn the open games, look at the classics to learn how to proceed in your middle game plans. Don't worry about the amount of theory because your opponents at the sub 1800 level will not know it all that much better than you.

2. As Black play classically until you can hold your own in those openings, then move on to counterattacking setups. vs e4 e5 vs d4 d5.

Once you have mastered opening principles- development, space, king safety, pawn structure and such you will be prepared to choose your openings on things like middle game themes (isolated pawn) or even endgame play (pawn majorities, exchange sac etc.)

Thanks for the input Nimzo5, I have been playing that way for the past year and a half, and while I enjoy the "non-informed" games that come up through attempting classical openings with similarly skilled players, I am wanting to begin devoting time to a true opening repertoire, and I want to find an opening that fits my playing style well to help bring me along on that path.

Any other suggestions or feedback?  Particularly curious about the Pirc vs. the French as a defense to 1.e4 based on my description of playstyle.

Re: Pifc vs. French...

Even though your initial setup in the Pirc looks a lot like a KID, the strategy and gameplay tend to be pretty different.

In the KID, 75% of the time (rough estimate), you're going to get a closed, locked pawn structure, a lot of manouvering, and a chance at a kingside counterattack against white down the line somewhere, if you weather the storm okay.

In the Pirc, 75% of the time (rough, once again), you're going to face an onslaught on your castled king, while simultaneously attempting to generate queenside counterplay.

In the French, 75% of the time, you're going to get a closed, locked pawn structure, a lot of manouvering (though not as much as the KID), and a chance at counterplay God only knows where, depending on how it all breaks down.

I feel like ultimately, the KID and French are a lot more "similar", because I think the biggest determining factor in opening similarities is the pawn structure, and the strategies that flow from it.

The flow of each, in the more-or-less mainlines, kind of goes:

KID - Close, manouver, counterattack

French - Close, manouver, counterattack

Pirc - Defend, counterattack

The real benefit of the Pirc/KID combo is that it allows you to begin with a Modern (1...g6) move order, which offers some interesting independent possibilities, and occasions chances to transpose and confuse your opponent.

Hard to go wrong either way, though I'd suggest that the French/KID combo is orders of magnitude easier to prepare.

I chose the king gambit after trying several openings. Since you oponents will almost always respond the same way you can learn the best first 5-6 moves and have a very good game, at least in the beggining. It is a fun game too.

About your white choices:

You seem to be down to the English, the Reti, and the KIA.

You talk about wanting a book to help you along, so with that in mind, the English is far and away your best choice.  You can still find Tony Kosten's (or is it Kotsen's...I forget) Dynamic English, which is a truly great, beginner friendly, comprehensive repertoire book for white.  It's a little old, so some of the theory isn't cutting edge, but it'd be more than good enough for anybody shy of 2200.

The KIA, I don't think, hasn't been covered really well in a comprehensive repertoire.  This at least in part because at high levels (where the people who write the books play), the KIA is only regarded as a situational opening.  Usually used by 1.e4 players against the French, and maybe a couple other openings.  But a definite second rate choice against 1...e5, which of course you'd see a lot.  Not that the KIA isn't fine against ...e5 at the amateur level, but it isn't at the higher levels, so you're going to be on your own figuring out how to use it best, there.

The Reti is just too huge and transpositional for a single book to do it much justice.  I think the Opening for White Accd'ing to Kramnik series covers 1.Nf3, but if you're shy about buying 3 Starting Out books, this monster of a series would probably not be an option.  There was a Dynamic Reti book, but I think it got lukewarm reviews.

Excellent list! I've learned more from this forum in about 2 days than I have at any other forum community.

Thanks once again to all who gave some input, I appreciate it.

Jokerfish - thanks very much for your thoughtful and informational reply, between yourself and DBWarrior you have given me a lot to think about that is directly related to the information I presented.

As white goes, I am thinking the English is sounding more and more like the opening for me.  I had encountered the transpositional nature of the Reti in my reading in FCO and through games, and maybe down the line this opening will continue to attract my attention due to its flexible nature, but as far as trying to pursue a definite opening repertoire, there is just too much in its lines and transpositions to give me the focus I am looking for, and I really appreciate you articulating that feeling for me.  The KIA has a clear plan, but I had also encountered it's situational nature, and wasn't sure if it was me misplaying it (which is likely), or simply a poor choice for the board position (also likely), and I think I will want something that is a little more universal.  So for White, the English it is, and I have heard a lot of good stuff about The Dynamic English, so I will likely pick up that book to help me along.

For Black, I enjoy your further explanation of DBWarrior's comments about the French/KID/Pirc.  I definitely understand that the similarities between French and KID lie in the pawn structure and how that influences planning, so that is a strong proponent for that particular combination for my study.

As far as books go, I have heard that John Watson's Play the French is likely the best all around for me to begin my studies of the French Defense.  As far as the KID goes, would the Starting Out King's Indian be a good book?

I am also open to software, so if anyone has any feedback on book/software for the English, French, and KID openings, it would be much appreciated.  Many thanks to everyone!! Your replies have been extremely helpful.

Laedryn-

As far as your suggested repertoire with Black.

If you are going to play the KID then I would prefer the Pirc or the Acc Dragon vs e4. The French has a completely different set of strategic ideas, patterns and idiosyncracies.

You also need a repertoire vs 1.c4 and the flexible moves like 1. nf3.

As white goes,I would recommend the English. Once you understand the thematic concepts, it is a pretty easy to play opening.

Check out this group...

http://www.chess.com/groups/home/english-opening-lovers

For black, either the French or the Pirc are great. Both have a similar theme, in that they allow white to build a center, and then seek to counter attack and destroy it. In the French, you do it in a more classical approach, whereas in the Pirc you use a more hypermodern approach.

The main difference is that the French is a bit more solid, and a bit less dynamic. You can get overrun in the Pirc if you aren't careful, while in the French, your greatest problem early is getting stuck behind your own locked pawn chain.

Anyway, I have a Pirc group too if you are interested.

http://www.chess.com/groups/home/pirc-defense-group