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Here is my suggestion for a solidish repertoire that could be used for players 2100 or above:
1.d4 (I don't know whether you used to play 1.e4 or 1.d4, but 1.d4 is more positional than 1.e4, and also has the advantage that you are more likely to get away with not knowing a lot of theory) and now:
Against the King's Indian, the Samisch variation is not too theoretical, but in my opinion offers White good chances of an advantage.
Against the Grunfeld, 4.cd5 Nd5 5.Na4!? is a good quick fix, but 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bh4 would be my suggestion. There is some theory you will need to catch up on here (the line has become fashionable in the past 3 years), but not much - in fact, there are only 753 games in the position after 5.Bh4 according to Mega 2008.
Against the Nimzo-Indian (I will recommend 3.Nc3, since it is easier to have a good system against one opening than against the QID, Bogo and 3...d5 if you don't play an early Nf3 against the QGD), the Rubinstein variation would be my preference. It is very solid and there have not been huge developments in the theory since 2002. If you want to save some time for other chess work, then play the 5.Nge2 variations, but otherwise stick with 5.Bd3 and 6.Nf3.
Against the Benoni, I would suggest the Fianchetto variation, which is very positional, but fits the bill perfectly in terms of a 'solidish' repertoire. In fact, it is becoming more fashionable at Grandmaster level, but usually via. the 2...e6 move order.
Against the Benko, play the main line with 5.ba6, then play 7.e4. The lines with g3 do not overly dangerous for Black, which I why I am recommending this less fashionable continuation.
Against 1...d5, play 2.c4 and now:
Against the QGD, I would recommend the tricky 3.Nf3!? with the idea of 3...Nf6 4.Bg5. This has become quite fashionable in recent times, and is currently scoring quite well for White. And there is not a huge of theory in these lines either. Obviously 3...Nf6 is not forced, but otherwise White has excellent chances of emerging out of the opening with the advantage.
The Slav is becoming more and more popular, so it is very hard to avoid theoretical lines in this opening! However, I think the Classical Variation with 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 would be quite effective. There is not much theory, but it is very solid and White has reasonable chances of emerging with something out of the opening (as an alternative, I would suggest the "Slow Slav" with 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3).
Against the QGA, simply 3.Nf3 followed by the main line with 7.Bb3 is the best line. Although Sakaev and Semkov consider Black to be equal in all variations, I would say that White holds a small plus in all lines.
Against the Dutch, consider the tricky system 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 followed by c3 and Qb3 (regardless of ...g6 or ...e6 by Black). The idea is to prepare a quick e4, probably with Nd2. Not much theory, but certainly not harmless, and this should also get Dutch devotees out of book fairly early. However, the 4.Nh3!? variation is also a possibility.
I would not panic over the Budapest - just play the 4.Bf4, 6.Nbd2 lines with a slight edge. But make sure you have something prepared against 4...g5.
Finally, against 1.d4 d6, I would play either 2.c4 e5 3.Nc3 or else 2.e4 (leading to either the Pirc or Modern; against the latter you can play 3.c4).
That concludes a White repertoire which is solid but still offers reasonable chances of an edge. For something quick to learn as Black, consider the ...Qd6 Scandinavian (if you subscribe to the Yearbook, there is also a five-part survey by Eric Prie which basically provides a repertoire for Black in the ...Qa5 Scandinavian). And against 1.d4, it would be quicker to improve the lines you used to play against 1.d4 rather than trying to learn a whole new opening (if for some reason you really dislike your old opening, then the Benko is a very decent possibility).
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Returning to chess What has changed in last 6 year (Read 2047 times)
