Expert: Len Molden - 7/29/2011

Question
now first let's start with how do I know my style or of the others to see what to play for ,what makes me aggressive or defensive ?
and next :
I personally don't like e4 and lately I only play 1.Nf4 and 2.c4 after ,I feel it leads to better games for me .so tell me about The reti or should I consider it English because actually I don't fianchetto (did I just mis-spelled ?) the bishops ! and I don't have any thing to play as black I usually follow the same as the guy and troubles me ,I think it's important to lead the game your way so are there such repertoire to get to very specific positions I might be comfortable ?
thank you ,I hope I hear from you soon !

Answer
Hi Hussein,

Thanks for your questions as these are fairly common ones amongst some players.  

To answer them:

1) What makes me aggressive or defensive?

=== This largely depends on whether you like to attack your opponent and go for mate right from the start of the game, or do you prefer to control your opponent and limit his opportunities and maybe go into a favorable endgame for you.

2) Tell me about The Reti or should I consider it English because actually I don't fianchetto

==== Please take a look at this book that I highly recommend for you:

http://www.chessmastery.com/strategic-opening-repertoire.html

It explains in detail about the Reti and English structures.  1.Nf3 followed by 2.c4 is a Reti, with or without a fianchetto sometimes (but not too often).  Whereas 1.c4 with a kingside fianchetto is an English Opening.

3) Are there such repertoire to get to very specific positions I might be comfortable?

=== Usually players who have such a repertoire as White, prefer to play a solid, defensive opening like the Caro-Kann:

http://www.chessmastery.com/caro-kann.html

Regards,

Len Molden