playing against the unexpected
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LennyBreaks
Jun 1, 2021
0
#1
Hey everyone. Could use some advice. so I'm trying to play as rounded as I can, not getting too involved in theory or openings. I play a fair amount of puzzles and I try and limit playing bots.
Now I've got a couple openings I use with a couple variations I can play based on how my opponent plays. my problem is, that sometimes I get completely unexpected play from opponents. I know at my level I can't expect players to follow openings so I feel like I prepare some ideas but I feel I never get moves back that I can find much on.
Any suggestions on how I can plan for unexpected play?
Jun 1, 2021
0
#2
I looked at some of your games. You're following the opening principles well, but you're not being greedy enough. By greed I mean do your best to not lose even a single pawn for free (and if you can win even a single pawn from your opponent, then do it).
Here's an example
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So you're doing well with development, but it's important to look at the position from your opponent's point of view and ask things like "why did they make that move" and "what are they attacking?" and then be greedy! If you can win material then do it, if they're attacking something then defend it... if neither of those are true, then you can ignore their move and just keep developing pieces off the back rank and castling.
Jun 2, 2021
0
#3
Thanks for thorough response. I appreciate you looking at a couple of my games. Understanding the why of my opponents moves beyond 1 has been a weakness in my game that I've felt for sure. So maybe I should spend less time planning responses to a few counters in the opening and instead focus on solid fundamentals of defending my peices and capturing hanging material. Does that sound accurate?
Hello
LennyBreaks wrote:
So maybe I should spend less time planning responses to a few counters in the opening and instead focus on solid fundamentals of defending my peices and capturing hanging material. Does that sound accurate?
Yes, 100%. That's the way to go.
It's good to have a little in the way of prepared responses. For example, how to respond to wayward queen or fried liver attack. But there comes a point in games where you need to focus on simple principles like you mentioned above: "focus on solid fundamentals of defending my peices and capturing hanging material". This will get you a lot further along in your learning for now.
Great game here :)
It is simple: when your opponent plays an unexpected move, you must think.