In this week's Chess Questions Answered I described how I am trying to learn a new opening, namely a defence against 1.e4. For me it's not a question of memorizing variations, instead I want to start with a good conceptual framework through a book or video that explains the ideas. After that I will want to get some experience in actually playing it, as Ernst Schumacher once put it: "An ounce of practice is generally worth more than a ton of theory.”
Where should you gain this practical experience? The best way is by playing online, and hopefully enough of your opponents will cooperate so that you get the opening you want. You can also arrange to play games against a friend or training partner and start from the opening you want to reach. As most online games seem to start with 1.e4, it should not be a problem getting experience in a Black defence against this, though you might also face some weird 2nd or 3rd moves.
After you've gained some first hand experience it can be time to start clothing the conceptual framework with specific variations. Why only now? Because you want such variations to be aligned with what you have come to understand. This makes remembering things far easier because you will be able to reconstruct the variations using reason and logic. If your understanding develops and changes, the variations you play might also change.
How long should this process take before becoming an expert? Clearly this will depend on many factors, but I think I should be fairly competent after a few months and quite expert after a year.
Video Discounts
This week's discount is 40% off my series on Crafting Your Own Opening Repertoire using the code 'may29june6'. Developing an opening repertoire is a key aspect of any player's development, and the most effective way to do this is to craft your own. This video series demonstrates how to go about this, covering opening selection, choosing sources and assembling your lines.
Last week's discount is 40% off buying Building an Opening Repertoire using the code 'may22to30', and it is still valid until tomorrow. 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.
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This is how things look right now having withdrawn my availability for the European Senior Team Championships.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:
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
