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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Geriatric Opening Cognitive Dissonance (Read 9662 times)
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Re: Geriatric Opening Cognitive Dissonance
Reply #1 - 05/16/12 at 14:23:52
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Antillian wrote on 05/16/12 at 13:55:45:
Now my criteria is that I should my opening choices should steer the game to my positional strengths as much as possible, avoid excessive tactics -particularly when facing sharp juniors, allow me to comfortably outplay weaker players (1900 to 2000) while affording real opportunities to defeat stronger players (2200 to 2300). 


I think here is where you will have to make the trade-offs. 

As long as you know your system better than your opponent, you will of course likely have better chances, no matter what.

But, the more simple (less complex) system you play, the higher the chances are you won't be able to have enough room to outplay weaker players and at the same time have "real" opportunities to defeat stronger players.
  
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Antillian
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Geriatric Opening Cognitive Dissonance
05/16/12 at 13:55:45
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I sometimes tire of never ending repertoire advice questions, but I am going to commit the same sin today. Indulge me for a bit - I am trying to decide on an opening repertoire approach based on either strategically rich less theoretical openings or solid positional, but simpler openings, both of which I enjoy and have had good results - particularly with the White pieces.

In my more active years, my highest rating was 2150, but have been very inactive in recent years. After many years of trying to get back into OTB chess during which I have only managed one tournament a year, I am finally making a real push this year with three OTB tournaments planned. At the same time, I am approaching the big FOUR - Oh  in years, and I am facing the twin stark realities of the my dying brain cells and very limited time due to demanding dual career streams and family. Having dabbled shallowly with two main opening approaches over the years , I have decided I have to limit my focus to one approach. But like a casanova torn between two lovers, I can't seem to come to a firm resolution:

Approach A
Strategically rich specialist openings:
White: English Opening ala Marin with Catalan and Fianchetto KID. 
Black: Sicilian Kan, NID, QID, Hedgehog

Approach B
Solid Simple Opening with similar pawn structures:
White: 1d4 - with openings choices uncannily similar to what Watson is advocating in http://www.gambitbooks.com/books/strategic.html
Black: Caro-Kann, Slav or QGD

Now my criteria is that I should my opening choices should steer the game to my positional strengths as much as possible, avoid excessive tactics -particularly when facing sharp juniors, allow me to comfortably outplay weaker players (1900 to 2000) while affording real opportunities to defeat stronger players (2200 to 2300). 

I am aware, that there will always be tradeoffs and there is no perfect solution and ultimately it remains my decision so I  don't expect an easy answer, but  I would appreciate any meaningful thoughts anyone could share on this choice
  

"Breakthrough results come about by a series of good decisions, diligently executed and accumulated one on top of another." Jim Collins --- Good to Great
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