Normal Topic Opening repertoire - Main lines? (Read 3937 times)
ANDREW BRETT
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #9 - 05/18/07 at 08:43:36
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Radjabov plays 10......Bg7 which avoids one of the bishop sac lines.

But you can't avoid the other one in the ef lines
  
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Willempie
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #8 - 05/18/07 at 05:38:45
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Quote:
Figure out how to respond to the Bishop sac in the Svesh. That is the deadliest line to be caught in without any theory.

I was hoping to keep that a white secret Wink
The bishop sac comes around in a couple of lines and can be a very nasty surprise for black.
  

If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through.
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #7 - 05/17/07 at 19:31:32
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It seemed like you were leaning towards the Sveshnikov. Pair that with the KID and you will be a little Radjabovite.  Not a bad repertoire idea, really.

Figure out how to respond to the Bishop sac in the Svesh. That is the deadliest line to be caught in without any theory.
  
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ehpotsirhc
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #6 - 05/17/07 at 18:43:18
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Interesting suggestion. Actually, I was thinking of learning the Sveshnikov.
  
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Willempie
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #5 - 05/17/07 at 16:03:52
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Play the sicilian with both colours. Saves time in studying (more than with other openings), especially if you go for a Najdorf or schevy-like variation with black.
  

If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through.
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ANDREW BRETT
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #4 - 05/17/07 at 08:45:09
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It strikes me that one solution to your predicament would simply to make time to study !! I say this since it strikes me that you are not averse to doing the work but rather it is the time factor that is holding you back. Also by sticking to the main lines I would suggest that you will not lose any of the valuable experience that you have acquired.

The other point is that you seem to like dynamic play - which could be a problem if you don't want to play the open sicilian.

Anyway here are some suggestions to avoid main lines to an extendt but I'll leave it to you to judge their worth.

Ruy Lopez with 5 d3

French- Korchnoi Gambit

Open Sicilian- 6 be2 v Najdorf with 9 Kh1 
Schevenginen - Be2 main line with a4 isn't that theoretical view
Classical- Richer Rauzer just too good to avoid !
v Nc6, Bb5 - have a look at how Sukovsky plays
Taimanov - Be2 and Kh1
Kan - Bd3
Dragon with Yugoslav 9 g4 or 0-0-0 they both stop the normal dragon game.

Pirc- be3

Caro - Kann  Advance with h4 like Short and Kramnik or 3 f3 fantasy 

Petroff - 3 d4

As Black perhaps the Lowenthal - due a revival in my view and not as know as the Sveshnikov
i'd avoid Semi-Slav too theoretical. What about the Benko - the Rb1 v fianchetto is incredibly difficult to play unless you are at least an IM?
If you want a universal v 1 d4/c4 then the KID would be my suggestion but you should play Na6 lines


Anyway the choice is yours !
  
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J-dog
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #3 - 05/17/07 at 06:44:54
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Maybe the Sveshnikov would suit you well. 

GM McDonald's repertoire in SO: 1e4 is pretty good, even though his coverage of it is not even close to thorough.  I would definitely replace the Scotch with the Ruy Lopez, though. 

vs. d4 I'd go with the KID or maybe a Nimzo/Benoni. Personally speaking, I've always dreamt of finding a Grunfeld repertoire that was active but didn't follow straight down the main lines.  Hard to do for me, though. Maybe I should ask Luke McShane for some advice.

Good luck.
  
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ErictheRed
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #2 - 05/17/07 at 06:19:56
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I'm rated about 2100, so take my advice with a grain of salt as well.

You didn't mention anything about looking for a response to 1.e4, but I think the Caro-Kann might fit for what you want (though I don't have a lot of experience with it myself).  It is fairly ambitious, sound, doesn't have to lead to a sterile game, and won't require nearly as much study time as, say, the Sicilian.  I like Houska's new book, which generally concentrates on lines where Black plays for more winning chances than usual in the C-K.
  
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Re: Opening repertoire - Main lines?
Reply #1 - 05/17/07 at 02:59:55
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Anyhow you will have to make some concessions. Having a Dutch rating of about 1800 myself it is a bit arrogant of me to advise you, but here I go.

First problem to tackle: the Sicilian. If the Bb5 and c3 systems are not to your taste, only the Open Sicilian remains. Remember one thing: it is impossible to prove an advantage (especially against the Najdorf and Svesjnikov), so don't waste time trying.  The good news of course is, that the asymmetrical structures allow both sides (including you) to play for a win. As you can't keep track with the latest developments, chose lines, which are less time-consuming. More good news is, that White has several options against every sub-system.

Svesjnikov: 7.Nd5.

Najdorf: either 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3, 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 or 6.Be3 (after e5 both 7.Nb3 and 7.Nf3 are interesting, but 6...Ng4 might be a problem). If Black plays 6...e6, then
Najdorf/Scheveningen: 5...a6 6.Be2 e6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Be3 0-0 9.f4. I especially like a plan suggested by Gallagher: Qd1-e1-g3, Kh1, Bf3, Rfe1, Rad1 and the sac Nd5!? if possible.

Scheveningen: as I don't like 6.Be2 Nc6 7.Be3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.f4 e5 too much (Willempie will disagree), either the Keres Attack 6.g4 (h6 7.g5 is out of fashion, maybe it is time for a revival) or 6.Be3 Be7 (a6 7.Be2; Nc6 evt. 7.Bc4 if you like the Sozin) 7.f4 Nc6 8.Qf3 as 8.Bc4 is an inferior Sozin now: 0-0 9.0-0 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 e5!

Sozin: if you think the Richter-Rauser too much (for the moment?) and don't want to allow the Boleslavsky 6.Be2 e5 7.Nf3 h6, only the Sozin 6.Bc4 remains. After e6 you will only enter the dazzling Velimirovic if it suits you: 7.Be3 a6 (Be7 8.Bb3 0-0 9.0-0 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 a6 11.f4) 8.Bb3 Be7 (Na5 9.f4 or Bd7 9.Qe2 b5 10.0-0-0) 9.f4 Qc7 (Na5 10.Qf3 Nxb3 11.axb3 0-0 12.g4) 10.Qf3 0-0 11.0-0 or 11.f5. Alas 6.Bc4 Qb6 is OK  these days. I used to recommend 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.0-0 g6 9.Be3 and e6 9.Bf4, but I am not sure anymore. So maybe the Richter-Rauser after all, unless you find something against 6...Qb6.

Dragon: all those Dragoneers know everything about the Jugoslav Attack. So it will be 6.Be2 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Nb3 Nc6 9.Kh1, leaving the choice between 10.f4, 10.Be3 and 10.Bg5 open.

Accelerated Dragon: everything depends on 2...Nc6/4...g6 5.Be2 Bg7 6.Nb3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.0-0 a5. According to my database this is good for White.

Paulsen/Kan/Taimanov: if Black plays 4...a6, then 5.Nc3 and 6.Be2 systems. An interesting option is the gambit 2...e6/4...a6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Be2 Bb4 7.0-0. Somewhat annoying is 2...e6/4...Nc6. After 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 we have that insipid version of the Classical Scheveningen, which Willempie likes so much. After 5.Be3 Nf6 6.Nc3 Black has Bb4 and also after 6.Nd2 Black has done very well. So it has to be 6.Bd3.
Best might be 5.Ndb5 Nf6 (d6 6.c4 Nf6 7.N5c3 is another shortcut) 6.Bf4 (6.N1c3 d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 is a transposition to the Bg5-Svesjnikov) e5 7.Bg5 and White might benefit from having the knight on b1.

Four Knights: 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5.

Second problem to tackle: the Petrov. In Dutch magazine Schaaknieuws IM Van Delft recommends either the main lines or 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3. That is interesting, if Black castles kingside. More solid is Be7 7.Bf4 Nc6 8.Qd2 h6 (Be6 9.Ng5 gets the pair of bishops) 9.0-0-0 Be6 followed by 10...Qd7 and 11...Bf6.
Ruy Lopez: buy yourself the recent book on the Worrall or play the Scotch.

French: 3.Nc3 as after Bb4 I like 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Qc7 (Ne7 7.h4!?) 7.Qg4 Ne7 8.Bd3 (Geller). After 3...Nf6 either the Alekhine-Chatard 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Be7 6.h4 or the Steinitz 4.e5.

Caro-Kann: If you chose the French Steinitz, you might consider 3.f3, as e6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.e5 Nfd7 6.f4 transposes. Otherwise the Advance. After Bf5 you have the choice between Short's Variation, the ultra-sharp 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 or the interesting 4.h4. Recently Goeller has presented some stuff on

http://www.kenilworthchessclub.org/games/java/2007/caro-adv-h4.htm

Pirc: 4.Be3 Bg7 5.Qd2 c6 (0-0 6.0-0-0) 6.Bh6 or 4...c6 5.h3 and 6.g4 or 6.f4.
Robatsch etc: 4.Be3 c6 5.f4 and White can try to save the tempo x.h3.

Scandinavian: main lines.

Alekhine: Exchange 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.exd6, especially cxd6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Be3 Bg7 8.Rc1.

I have tried to recommend variations, which will probably not be refuted by some innovation from a remote country and quite easily can be substituted if necessary.

As Black the KID looks more economical to me than the Semi-Slav. For some reason the old-fashioned lines with ...Nbd7 are impopular these days. A pro is, that Black can avoid the Four Knights, the Sämisch and the Bg5-systems by employing the move-order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 Nbd7 4.e4 (4.g3 e5 5.Nf3 g6 6.Bg2 Bg7 7. 0-0 0-0 8.e4 exd4 following Gallagher's example) e5. After 5.Bg5 Black has Be7; after 5.f3 c6 6.Be3 Be7; after 5.Nge2 c6 6.f3 Be7 or 6.g3 g6.
So only the main line 4.e4 e5 5.Nf3 g6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 remains. 8.Re1 (8.Be3 Ng4) c6 9.Bf1 a5 10.Rb1 Ng4 is one try: 11.h3 exd4 12.Nxd4 Qb6 Portisch-Udovcic, Bled 1961, where 15...Ne5 16.Qd1 Be6 seems to improve.

If you like Tiger's Modern or the Pirc you might also consider 1.d4 (because of 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6) g6, evt. answering the London etc. with ...f5, entering good versions of the Leningrad.
But iirc you prefer the Najdorf.

I hope this helps.
  

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ehpotsirhc
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Opening repertoire - Main lines?
05/17/07 at 00:00:28
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Hi everyone,
My next milestone is to reach the 2300 level. I am currently working on my opening repertoire. Here is my dilemma: I think it is better to stick to main lines but on the other hand I do not have that much time to keep up with the latest theory. Do you have any suggestions of opening that are ambitious, do not lead to a sterile game and do not require massive amounts of study time? I like active positions. I would like to center my white repertoire around 1.e4 (I prefer this to d4 Nf3 or c4 but playing the main lines in the Sicilian requires a lot of work and I have yet to find a convincing anti-Sicilian) and with black I was thinking of the King's Indian (can be played against c4 d4 and Nf3, which is economical) or the semi-Slav. I am open to all suggestions.
Thanks
  
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