Expert: Len Molden - 8/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am a beginner but know the fundamentals of chess. I prefer defense with some counterplay measures. Are there openings that suit my style? Also, is there a way for me to prepare and study for openings since I dislike memorizing openings.

Edward Kwan

ANSWER: Hi Edward,

Here's some good opening plans for you.

As White
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One proven principle which helps, is to study openings centered around basic themes.  Here's a defensive system for Black against White's three main opening systems:

1.e4 c6 Caro-Kann Defense
2.d4 d5

1.d4 d5 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav
2.c4 c6

1.Nf3 d5 English/Reti Set-up for White
2.c4 c6

Or...

1.c4 c6
2.Nf3 d5

Each defense involves d5...and c6 and a simple, straightforward placement of the pieces.  The idea for Black is to eventually trade the d-pawn for White's e4 or c4 pawn when the timing is right, to help free his pieces and gain an outpost for a knight on d5.

For White, you could play a system which involves 1.d4 2.Nf3 3.c3 4.Bf4  Of course you can't always play these moves in this order as it depends on what Black does, but you aim for this basic set-up.  

A fairly safe system containing counter attacking measures which can be used against virtually every set-up is the King's Indian Attack.  As White you open with 1.Nf3 then play 2.g3 3.Bg2 4.0-0 5.d3 6.Nbd2 and the plan is to play for e4 as soon as possible.

As Black this system would involve playing the King's Indian and Pirc Defenses:

1.e4 d6 Pirc Defense
2.d4 Nf6
3.Nc3 g6

1.d4 Nf6 King's Indian Defense
2.c4 g6
3.Nc3 Bg7
4.e4 d6

1.Nf3 Nf6
2.c4 g6

Or...

1.c4 Nf6
2.Nf3 g6

It's important to remember is that the sole purpose of the opening is to reach a playable middlegame.  Here's two good books that deal with opening ideas that I recommend:

http://www.chessmastery.com/chess-opening-ideas.html

Regards,

Len Molden

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is there websites you can recommend for knowledge on openings?

ANSWER: Hi Edward,

If you go to my chess links site here, you'll find many good ones:

http://www.chessmastery.com

Regards,

Len

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Are there chess grandmasters/champions that play my style?

Edward Kwan

Answer
Hi Edward,

I'd recommend that you study the games of GM Yasser Seirawan of the United Sates (who now lives in the Netherlands with his wife Yvette):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasser_Seirawan

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=14075

I know him personally and he is excellent at explaining ideas and concepts.  His recent book can be found here at the chess book ads on the bottom left side of the page:

http://www.seirawanchess.com/world

Seirawan chess is a new variant of chess he invented:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seirawan_chess

Regards,

Len