Watsonfox wrote on 03/24/09 at 17:49:01:


As Vigorito is clearly stronger than most contributors here you should not be surprised to get some predictable answers. Still I maintain that the Noteboom is a nice and logical complement to the Semi-Slav.

When it comes to the Benoni - I am sure you will recognize the position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.c3 cxd4 (objectively best) 4.cxd4. Also I don't think either the Benoni or the Dutch will serve well as a back up. Both are very demanding openings, in both pure memorizing and understanding. Saving them for must win situations is asking for trouble imo. But then again, who am I?

All this discussion about move orders is covered in David Vigorito's Play the Semi Slav. With him concluding that the slav move order is best. Something which I don't agree with so that is why I asked you guys. As for not studying theory I find that patronising and insulting. I study other stuff as well e.g. Think like a Grandmaster and Endgame Strategy by Sherevsky and I think that theory is just another component in this study.

kylemeister wrote on 03/23/09 at 23:02:55:


Not only that, but most people coming here with "what system should I play" questions should not even be spending their time on theory, in the first place.  

As a matter of fact, this forum is getting pretty old with this stuff, again and again.  There should be a page to which we can direct these people.

This has come up before; I too am not sure why a Semi-Slav player would find 4. Qc2 annoying.

I would also submit that players who are inclined to ask "what opening should I play"-type questions should not generally be concerned with matters like whether the Catalan (which contains some quite sharp lines, by the way) is "difficult to win against."

And still the advice given (shuffle move-orders but stick to your opening) is very good...

Watsonfox wrote on 03/22/09 at 16:58:12:

In each opening you will find a variation you do not like to play against. That's life. Going for the modern Benoni or the Dutch will not change anything to this constatation. 
The Modern Benoni is even worse than the Dutch because white can always refuse it from.
Now before choosing an opening for a must win situation, you should first answer the questions TN has asked.
If you are good in tactics, king's-side fianchetto opening could suit you.  Then you can choose between, for example, the possibly ugly positions of some dutch variations and the very easy to find plans of the Benoni/Benko. The Grünfeld and KID are also good opportunities for a tactical player.
If you like more passive but solid positions, you can go for e6 openings.
Another possibility, when afraid of the exchange variation, is to take the pawn on c4 and going for the QGA or the Slav.

Something I am always upset with is that many players think that they shouldp lay agressively from the very beginning in a must-win situation. Being patient, building a solid position, having clear plans and waiting for an inaccuracy of the opponent are often a better guarantee of winning than trying to sac 3 pawns and 2 pieces during the first 20 moves. And this rule is even more true for players used to play "calm" chess.
My conclusion: just try to play good in positions you feel comfortable with and never try without serious preparation something you never did before.

Try the Noteboom: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 and 3...c6. It may still transpose to the Semi-Slav.