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Where to get opening theory
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There is theory specific to particular openings but no theory universal to all openings.
There are some principles and this is as good a place as any to start picking up those principles
http://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/ten-rules-opening
I actually love chess.com's advice on the topic.
GM John Emms wrote an introduction to basic opening principles, Discovering Chess Openings (2006).
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
The way I look at opening theory is:
There are basic opening priciples. These can be found easily online or in a book etc.
In any specific opening however, some of these principles are stressed, some are minimized, and some can even be ignored as a player can't usually get everything they want. The current general consensus on what aims are stressed and what aims are minimized through a specific move order could be called current opening theory for that line.
Finding current theory maybe isn't so easy as it can change. One main resource for current theory is recent GM games. They are generally always going to be informed on the latest theory. Specific opening books or Internet articles are a good source for opening theory ideas but they may or may not be current. And probably should be compared to recent GM game versions if looking for latest theory.
An example for me was as White against Alekhine's Defense. I haven't looked at it much and always played a 4. Nf3 variation which I guess theory at one time figured was good for White. A little while ago, I noticed a relatively recent game and found that a 3.c4 & 4.c5 line, which I probably never would have come up with, might be current theory and had a lot going for it.
I guess the bottom line could be that theory isn't just the moves but the aims or principles behind the moves. Plus the give and take of those moves advantages and disadvantages. So books and the Internet can give a good take on a specific opening's theory but analysis of recent GM games is probably needed to verify the freshness.
Aug 8, 2016
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#8
ChrisJCashman wrote:
Where do you get opening theory?
Target has it on sale
Aug 11, 2016
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#12
LouStule wrote:
The thing is, when you play another human, anything goes.
How is this relevant, informative or helpful in anyway? Not to mention that it isn't really true
In the past, some people have tried to devalue opening study, based on the assumption that a person will not learn anything that is useful for dealing with the situation when an opponent plays a move that is not specifically covered by an opening book.
Aug 11, 2016
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#14
kindaspongey wrote:
In the past, some people have tried to devalue opening study, based on the assumption that a person will not know what to do when an opponent plays a move that is not specifically covered by an opening book.
Yes I have read this too and it is a crazy over simplification and doesnt take into account the great resources available that explain key ideas, tactical themes, important pieces and squares, typical endgames etc. For example, reading about Greek Gifts is all well and good for your general chess knowledge but if you play for example the Kings Indian and Sicilian as black and the English with g3 as white you are not likely to ever come across one in your life. It is vital that you don't just swamp yourself in theory, learn at least basic endgame positions and rudimentary tactical patterns and mating themes, read about key squares, colour complex's, isolated pawns, hanging pawns to a lesser extent etc etc but don't shy away from reading complete annotated games by strong players in your chosen lines, there are some great books out there. The Everyman Move by Move series is great, some of the chess stars books are great how they do a quick repertoire/step by step repertoire/complete games structure. A book like Fundamental Chess Openings is a great place to start as it discusses ideas, plans and intentions. The old Batsford Mastering the series (read and play) covering Kings Indian, French, Ruy Lopez, Nimzo Indian, Benko & Benoni are great and deal with plans and typical pawn structures rather than variation after variation. I think the key is try and understand what is going on, realise that memorising lines does very little for your chess development and much of it will go in one ear and our of the other without understanding. If you are unsure of what openings to play, spend time looking through games of the legends, Capablanca Alekhine, Fisher, etc and see what appeals to you.
Aug 11, 2016
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#15
SuirenBoid wrote:
LouStule wrote:
The thing is, when you play another human, anything goes.
How is this relevant, informative or helpful in anyway? Not to mention that it isn't really true
sure it is....just yesterday i played the staunton gambit, a line i have never played before and never really looked into it at all and yet it was my opponent who blundered on move 6. Opening theory wasnt a factor for me, obviously wasnt for him...but we still had a game of chess to play. He is rated 1815 USCF
Aug 11, 2016
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#16
And how did you know it was the Staunton Gambit? I drew with a GM in a line I knew very little about, however because I have looked at a range of positions over the years when studying openings. I personally find that it fills me with confidence when I steer openings down a path I know, understand and feel comfortable
ChrisJCashman wrote:
hhh
Where do you get opening theory?
learn with chessbase, trust me brah. i dont know many openings but i know some and that is enough brah. i am on 17 games winning streak here if you look at my score with random openings so try focus on important things.
Aug 11, 2016
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#19
SuirenBoid wrote:
And how did you know it was the Staunton Gambit? I drew with a GM in a line I knew very little about, however because I have looked at a range of positions over the years when studying openings. I personally find that it fills me with confidence when I steer openings down a path I know, understand and feel comfortable
Im not going to lie, i actually forgot what it was called....i actually texted a friend that i won with the d4 f5 e4 gambit....i had to look it up this morning.
Where do you get opening theory?