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05-25-2009, 08:11 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Posts: 52
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As the others have said, provided that it's fundamentally sound, any line is good if you understand it better than your opponent! However, I've had good results against the Sicilian by setting up the Maróczy Bind and recommend it.
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Tactics is what you do when there is something to do; strategy is what you do when there is nothing to do.
– Savielly Tartakower
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05-25-2009, 11:17 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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Posts: 2,156
Thanked 120 Times in 116 Posts
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Originally Posted by music
But the problem is that I don't know if I like it. They're all the same to me. So how do I choose? Based on my win percentages with them? But then wouldn't it depend on hte strenght of my opponent?
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Eh, I wouldn't base it on your statistics either. That is to say, you shouldn't play an opening if you only ever lose with it obviously, but ignore statistics otherwise. Try some good lines out, if you like the positions you're getting, stick with it, if not, then move on to something else! It helps to play over a few master games with the opening (wins, draws and losses) to see what your themes are.
Originally Posted by Fromper
When I said they're all solid, I was referring to the various Sicilian lines mentioned in this thread. There are some truly awful openings out there that I wouldn't recommend, though I think complete beginners should try out some of them once in a while just to get clobbered and see why they don't work.
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I know, just thought I'd mention it anyway.
Originally Posted by hyperactivemodernist
As the others have said, provided that it's fundamentally sound, any line is good if you understand it better than your opponent! However, I've had good results against the Sicilian by setting up the Maróczy Bind and recommend it.
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On occasion, I make use of the Maróczy bind in the 2. ... d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 line I play. Though, I usually end up playing for c5 which is a different.
The disadvantage of the Closed, GPA and various Maróczy bind setups is the positional nature of the position. In my opinion, below-average players do well to avoid that.
That said, most Maróczy bind formations come from 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4, which is something most below-expert players should probably avoid...
__________________
White:
- Ruy Lopez
- Sicilian Defense: Chekhover variation, Rossolimo variation, 2. ... e6 3. d4
- French Defense: Bogo-Winawer variation, Alekhine-Chatard attack
- Pirc Defense: Byrne variation
Black:
- Ruy Lopez: Modern Steinitz variation
- Two Knights Defense: Fritz variation, Ulvestadt variation
- King's Gambit: Falkbeer Countergambit: Nimzowitsch variation
- Tarrasch Defense
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05-26-2009, 02:51 AM
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#13 (permalink)
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Posts: 27
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
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Thanks for all your guys' help! I think I'll just stick with the Alapin. Oh yeah, and also I have another question. I know I should also know the ideas behind the openings as well in case the opponent goes off the book line. So are there websites or books that'll explain to me the ideas behind each opening? (they don't really do that in Nunn's Chess Openings) Thanks once again.
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05-26-2009, 03:36 AM
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#14 (permalink)
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Posts: 52
Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts
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The best web guide I know of to the ideas behind the various openings is Dr. Dave's at the Exeter Chess Club. Of course, he doesn't cover every opening and every line of every opening, but he gives good overviews of the main ones. There's also a lot of other great info on that page.
Hope that helps.
__________________
Tactics is what you do when there is something to do; strategy is what you do when there is nothing to do.
– Savielly Tartakower
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05-26-2009, 09:21 AM
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#15 (permalink)
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Posts: 2,156
Thanked 120 Times in 116 Posts
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Originally Posted by hyperactivemodernist
The best web guide I know of to the ideas behind the various openings is Dr. Dave's at the Exeter Chess Club. Of course, he doesn't cover every opening and every line of every opening, but he gives good overviews of the main ones. There's also a lot of other great info on that page.
Hope that helps.
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Certainly a helpful page, I used it quite a few years ago.
__________________
White:
- Ruy Lopez
- Sicilian Defense: Chekhover variation, Rossolimo variation, 2. ... e6 3. d4
- French Defense: Bogo-Winawer variation, Alekhine-Chatard attack
- Pirc Defense: Byrne variation
Black:
- Ruy Lopez: Modern Steinitz variation
- Two Knights Defense: Fritz variation, Ulvestadt variation
- King's Gambit: Falkbeer Countergambit: Nimzowitsch variation
- Tarrasch Defense
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05-26-2009, 03:52 PM
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#16 (permalink)
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Posts: 42
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
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Originally Posted by hyperactivemodernist
As the others have said, provided that it's fundamentally sound, any line is good if you understand it better than your opponent! However, I've had good results against the Sicilian by setting up the Maróczy Bind and recommend it.
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You can't play the Maroczy Bind if Black doesn't play g6, but Nf6 attacking the e pawn which you have to protect with Nc3. (after that the c-Pawn is locked)
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05-26-2009, 03:55 PM
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#17 (permalink)
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Posts: 42
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
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Originally Posted by music
As white, I've been faced with the Sicilian numerous times. The problem is that I don't know how to reply. At first, when I got Nunn's Chess Openings, I figured I was going to adapt the Alapin but after looking at the statistics at chessgames.com, I was dissuaded to abandon that line. So now the problem is... which opening should I play against the Sicilian? I know lots of top players just play Nf3 and then d4, but I don't want to memorize all those numerous lines that black can play (like the Najdorf, Dragon, etc.) So what do you think I should do? Stick with the Alapin even though it has horrible statistics or just memorize all the Black Sicilian replies and play Nf3 and d4? Thanks in advance.
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I recommend the Grand Prix Attack, which can be deadly for Black if he doesn't know it. (You don't have to play d4, don't worry) Study it here: The Grand Prix Attack
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06-06-2009, 09:45 AM
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#18 (permalink)
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Posts: 31
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
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opening principles, depending on your level read Mastering the Opening by John Watson it great information on just that kind of thing.
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06-19-2009, 05:52 PM
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#19 (permalink)
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Posts: 7
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
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The Alapin is pretty theoretical in itself. You'll just reduce the number of lines you'll have to learn, but you will still have to keep up to date. And some of the lines are very sharp.
From the black side of the Sicilian, I can say that the move I loathe the most is the Bb5 lines, either in d6 or Nc6 variations. In the d6 line, it's almost like an improved version of the Maroczy, and in the Nc6 line, you have to squirm for a pretty long time before you can claim equality. Generally, Bb5 is less tactical and more positional.
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06-19-2009, 07:51 PM
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#20 (permalink)
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Posts: 850
Thanked 29 Times in 29 Posts
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There are a lot of lines in the Alapin, but not as many choices for black. Black's probably going to play either 2...d5 or 2...Nf6. Anything else would be a transposition out of Sicilian territory. White can basically choose one pet line against each response and concentrate on those. Against the Open Sicilian, you need a line against tons of different variations of open Sicilian.
__________________
USCF: 2251, High: 2251
FIDE: 2219, High: 2219
Last edited by Abba; 06-19-2009 at 07:56 PM..
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