Here is an advise you are probably not going to accept, but possibly will give a think:

Antillian wrote on 05/16/12 at 13:55:45:


Quote:


This sounds very much like GM Tiviakov to me. And he plays 1.e4 all the time.

Open Games: Giuoco Piannissimo, evt. via 2.Bc4.

Sicilian: 2.c3 or the Closed via 2.Nc3 (or even 2.d3 if you like to play the KID the old fashioned way with colours reversed)

French: Tarrasch
Two Knights via 2.Nc3, followed by castling Kingside.
If 1.e4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 d4 doesn't appeal, 3.Nc3
a) 3...Bb4 4.e5 and 7.a4 (but never Qg4).
b) 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nf3 again.

Caro-Kann: 3.Nd2; against the Capablanca no h2-h4-h5, but 7.Bd3 immediately followed by c4 and a Queenside Fianchetto; against 3...Nd7 4.Nf3 Ngf6 also 5.Ng3, castling Kingside, c4 and a Queenside Fianchetto.

Alekhine: Exchange Variation

Pirc/Robatsch: Classical
If you think this too much theory and want more punch 4.Be3 Bg7 (c6 5.h3 Bg7 6.Nf3 or 6.a4 first, hoping to play Bc4 in one move) 5.Qd2 c6 (O-O 6.O-O-O is sharp, but not difficult to learn) 6.Be2 usually castling Kingside.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 05/16/12 at 21:49:39:

Right - Nothing else matters.

I'm of similar mind to Smyslov_Fan.  Generally you want to start with what you like and are comfortable with regardless of your age.  While converting to a Marin English repertoire for White may have a logical basis in terms of the type of positions that result, if you've spent 40 years playing something else you had better be sure you are willing to really invest the time (and take some lumps) while you convert.  If that interests you as an older player - go for it!

Bill

As a Kan player from when I was approximately 1500 to 2100, I am not sure Kan is "strategically complex" because in many cases the positions are quite sharp , especially the lines with ...Bc5/Be7. The Maroczy Bind, Be2 lines, etc. are slightly positional I suppose, but the Kan feels more "positional" compared with the Najdorf, if that is what you mean. But now I usually play the Kan if I am underprepared to play the Najdorf against a high rated/titled opponent.

I play a mix of A and B: Kan, Catalan, Fianchetto Variation 1. d4, but also Caro-Kann and Slav.

Antillian wrote on 05/16/12 at 14:44:33:


It's hard to say but B seems easier to learn and understand. Also it's helpful if all the lines you need to learn for your White repertoire are in one book. Actually there are two options you haven't considered: White A; Black B and White B; Black A. I'd be tempted to suggest Approach B for White and Approach A for Black.

TN wrote on 05/16/12 at 14:35:36:


The biggest constraint is time. But I have thought of doing both. To do that I would focus on Approach B for now and then maybe later incorporate some of Approach A. 

What are your reasons for suggesting B?

   One obvious question: what do you play at the moment ? I'm sure, if possible, it must be a good idea to change one part of your repertoire at a time i.e. answer to d4, answer to e4 or white choice.
    I'm rated 1950-ish and I've played the Caro Kann for 4 or 5 years. It feels right for me but even after that time, I'm not settled in all variations. This may be down to lack of exposure e.g. no-one seems to play the main lines of the Panov. It does make sense with your comment about pawn structures. Incredibly, the exchange has probably caused me more problems that any other. Less theoretical and in preparation the Nc6, Qc7 lines are fine, however the minority attack takes some getting used to. White can also attack on the Queenside with b4 and a4 or use c4 to change things.
         Complementing it with the QGD makes sense. This is the latest change I've made. I've played a couple of Tartakower games with reasonable success but will try out the Cambridge Springs; sound, sometimes enterprising but solidity first. I'll also play into the main line Exchange lines when someone finally plays it against me !
         Regarding White I'm staying with e4. I did have a period with the KIA which gave good results at first but I then felt stale. However, in common with your post I've thought of the "Marin" English or d4 following Watson. Anyway, those ideas are for the future. Don't change too much at once is good advice I would say.
    I would agree with your desire to get away from too much preparation. Developing feel for your chosen opening and being able to concentrate on the resulting middle and endgames, are worthy goals in my opinion.
    Good luck !