How high can someone get in ratings without knowing a Chess opening game?

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dk3champ

I've noticed that people in my range seem to know openings.  I've tried to not learn any openings so far until I actually plateau.  Right now I'm at 1100 rapid.  Who knows, maybe this is my non chess opening plateau?

But I was wondering, is there any famous examples of a Chess player that became a master that didn't use any Chess opening?  On personal note, I am not gunning to become a Master without a chess opening.  I'm not trying to become a Master at all for that mater(Too old for that I think. happy.png )  Just wondering. 

XOsportyspiceXO

I think sultan khan

Cryptosilver

What do you actually mean when you say knowing a chess opening? Are you talking about just knowing the first couple of moves to a named opening or do you mean deep study of many different lines? You can learn the starting positions and basic ideas behind all of the most popular openings in chess in an afternoon if you want, that's honestly all the opening knowledge you need up to 1600+. Openings are a study that have no ending.

Just work on playing according to good opening principles. No amount of opening study will make you stop blundering a knight and a bishop by move 8



 

Cryptosilver
KMWS wrote:

I think sultan khan

Sultan Khan definitely knew openings, he just didn't know much theory compared to the best players in the world at that time. 

JackRoach
Cryptosilver wrote:

What do you actually mean when you say knowing a chess opening? Are you talking about just knowing the first couple of moves to a named opening or do you mean deep study of many different lines? You can learn the starting positions and basic ideas behind all of the most popular openings in chess in an afternoon if you want, that's honestly all the opening knowledge you need up to 1600+. Openings are a study that have no ending.

Just work on playing according to good opening principles. No amount of opening study will make you stop blundering a knight and a bishop by move 8



 

That sacrifice was really unsound.

tygxc

"How high can someone get in ratings without knowing a Chess opening game?" All the way up to grandmaster.

"I've tried to not learn any openings so far until I actually plateau." ++ Good call, tactics and endgames are much more important
"Right now I'm at 1100 rapid.  Who knows, maybe this is my non chess opening plateau?" ++ No not at all. 1100 is a sign of frequent blunders. Always check your intended move is no blunder before you play it. That alone will get you to 1500. Train tactics. That will bring you to 2000. Study endgames, that can bring you to 2400.

"is there any famous examples of a Chess player that became a master that didn't use any Chess opening?" ++ There are many masters who do not know any substantial opening theory. Capablanca even became world champion and was often out of book on move 6.

"I am not gunning to become a Master without a chess opening." ++ It is possible.