One of the major problems with contemporary material on the opening is that it is almost way too complicated. I think it must be very tempting to include razor-sharp computer lines, not least because it can look spectacular. Yet many of us struggle to remember this lines, even for a few hours. After a few days they'll be gone forever.
What is the answer? In this week's Chess Questions Answered I discuss how you can simplify your opening preparation by making good choices. In the past I've talked about how the choice of your initial move can make a big difference, but you can make simpler and more practical choices in many openings. To demonstrate my point I show how a Sicilian Najdorf repertoire can be simplified just be steering clear of gratuitous complexity and going for plan based solutions.
Can you do this with the Gruenfeld Defence? Yes of course! How about the Sicilian Dragon? Yes sure, there are lines in which Black delays castling and plays ...h7-h5. What about the King's Indian Defence? Again you can avoid massive amoungs of theory, and in this case I would suggest an Old Indian move order with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 e5 after which 4.Nf3 Nbd7 cuts out most of White's systems and avoids gratuitous complexity.
Video Discounts
This week's discount is 40% off buying Building an Opening Repertoire using the code 'may22to30'. This acclaimed openings course shows how to use simple opening lines to develop middle game understanding by reaching key pawn structures. The lines presented here (French and Queen's Gambit Declined as Black, 1.d4 followed by 2.Nf3 and 3.e3 as White) are easy to learn and remember.
Last week's discount was 40% off Mastering Key Pawn Structures: Carlsbad Formations using the code 'may15to23', and this is still valid until tomorrow. This video series will consider the Carlsbad formation, an ideal structure for learning planning and positional play.
Upcoming Events
This is how things look right now having withdrawn my availability for the European Senior Team Championships. I might get invited to the English Senior Championships in October, in which case I will probably play:
May 24: Warrington Rapidplay
This one is local and I need the practice. Details can be found here.
July 7-12: South Wales International, Bridgend, Wales
I've accepted an invitation to this event and look forward to playing!
August 1-9: British Championships, Coventry, UK
I've accepted an invitation to this one (the Championship itself) and look forward to playing.
September 25-27: Hull 4NCL
The 4NCL Congresses are always well run, so I'll be playing in this one. Details can be found here.
October 23-25: Scarborough Congress
I'm intending to play in this one if I can. Details are here.
October 26-31: English Senior Championships, Peterborough
This is also up in the air unless and until I get invited. Details can be found here.
Tiger Chess Themed Training Tournaments are organized on a weekly basis at Lichess, featuring selected opening variations. You can check out what's coming up here.
Have a good weekend.
Nigel
