Forget your "nemesis" and study some chess books or check analysis videos on youtube.
If you focus on countering his retarded gameplay you will never learn to play because you copy his way of thinking.
Check the whole series on My System:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLrNC9Rskww
I think you mean a2 to a3 and h2 to h3. Well anyway, I often watch the videos of GM Roman Dzindzichashvilli and he will tell you those a3 and h3 moves are terrible moves for the opening unless they have a plan, like in the Najdorf when black will play a6 because he intends to go b5. You're not supposed to make pointless pawn moves while all or even most of your pieces are still on the back rank. This is just wasting time and allowing the opposing player to get the lead in development, So I'd say do that, just develop your pieces in response to this. Try to have a plan as well, because it doesn't sound like your opponent does. Remember, even thinking of bad plans is better than not thinking of plans at all.
Do you mean a2-a3 and h2-h3? If so the best way to combat the wings is to control the center. The best advice you are ever going to get is to make sure the move is safe before you play it. There is nothing you can do if you play a move that drops a piece, and you have no right to complain if you miss a simple tactic that leads to a lost game. Always ask if your opponent can win something if you move a piece there. Good luck.
1) Follow opening principals and later try to open lines as that will favor the side who is better developed (pawn moves don't count as developing moves).
2) The only fundamentals there are are to control the center and efficiency in developing your pieces (try to move each piece once, and to influence a central square, as few pawn moves as possible). And castle. Ideal development is complete when your black rank is cleared of knights and bishops, you're castled, your queen has moved a few squares away from her starting square, and so your rooks are free so slide along the open back rank to open files or files soon to open.
3) Solve some tactical puzzles for better awareness of undefended pieces and basic tactical themes like forks, pins, skewers, and removing the defender.
4) "When you see a good move, wait, look for a better move" , "When unsure what to do, find your worst placed piece and improve it" , and of course after each of your opponent's moves don't look at your side yet. Look at all the new squares attacked / left undefended. This includes the newly attacked squares of the moved piece itself as well as any piece it "uncovered" (e.g. moving a knight out from in front of a rook).
It's not about the opening! It's about tactics. However, A1 and H1 pawns shouldn't be moved at the opening as it is a fight for the center. Take advantage of that and take the center right away. Get your two center pawns int here and your knights before he starts to also attack the center. If things go right go for a fools mate variation. w/ bishop sac.
Obviously this is overdramatizied and black played foolishly, but I have used this variation in order to get quick mates. A1 and H1 should not be played during an opening and you should capitalize on these bad moves. Even if say the fools mate variant doesnt come along those two center pawns are going to be ace with a couple horsies and your bishops already in there while he just moves random side pawns around. He basically gave up his white advantage.
Sounds to me as if you need some basic instructions and explainations on openings, endgames, basic concepts of chess strategy and ideas and so on.
The first chess channel on YouTube I learned from was "thechesswebsite" and there's another one called "chessnetwork". Actually, neither is particularly "good" but their videos on chess openings, endgames etc. are pretty good for someone that hasn't played alot of chess. They're both hosted by good teachers that will help you understand alot about chess pretty fast.
The channels are also filled with loads of crap videos where the host is playing online bullet tournaments (which won't teach you anything at all about chess) so go to one of the channels and search within it for videos on openings, endgames etc.
thechesswebsite - Queen's gambit video
chessnetwork - Basic opening ideas video
Hello.
So, I am going to play a game of Chess against a "nemesis" tomorrow, offline. I am fairly new to the game, and I haven't played a lot. I would believe I am more theoretical than he is, but that theory is difficult to take advantage of, when the opponent is not using any known openings osv.
1. I've played one game against him earlier, and I lost. In the opening, he moved a1 to a2, and h1 to h2. Is there a good way to respond to those moves?
2. Could any of you refer to any specific and simplistic opening fundamentals, except those on Chess.com?
3. The opponent isn't much better than me, I could easily see that. Is there anything I could improve beforehand, in order to get a bit better in short time?
4. Any personal advice?
Thanks!