2 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 4

Black is lost. One game ended 18f5 19.exf6 Ba6 20.Qh6+ Kg8 21.f7 mate.

That is just one example from many I could give. The problem is that my games didn't all go this way. Sometimes I achieved a big advantage, or even a winning position, but somehow couldn't adjust to having to think my way through difficult variations after playing a succession of book moves. Or my opponent would surprise me with an unusual response and I would be unable to find the correct reply. Resourceful opponents often seemed to defend brilliantly, hold their positions together and then gradually outplay me. I often played much better when I was the one in the difficult position.

My approach to the game was altered more by accident than design. In moving between two countries, I lost a large container of personal effects, containing all my chess books. This was very painful at the time, not least because I had several books written by the great Russian player Lev Polugaevsky that he had signed personally, four years before he sadly passed away in 1995. These were obviously irreplaceable. As for the other books, they had not just provided me with endless opening variations to learn but they had been a kind of psychological support. I would have to learn to play without them.

Since my books and I parted company, I have gradually begun to approach practical play in a different light. Without my detailed analysis, my repertoire books to refer to, I had to go back to thinking my way through the start of the game. Of course, I still to this day remember many lines that I learned but my memory has faded somewhat and even early in the game I often have to work out the position from scratch. I have discovered for myself what several very strong players told me many years ago; most chess games are won or lost in the middlegame, not by using memorised opening moves.

It's taken me a long time to get there but here now is my advice on building a repertoire. First and foremost, choose and play openings that suite your style. Do you like closed or open positions? Do you enjoy hair-rising tactical adventures or do you prefer to manoeuvre your pieces to obtain small advantages? An opening may be objectively good but you should only choose it if you feel comfortable in the type of position that results. I remember going through a spell playing the Nimzo-Indian Defence (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4) with Black and achieving fairly miserable results. My opening play was generally correct but I just couldn't

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Chess tips: How to build up your opening repertoire?
We want to hear your view. Write now!