Good evening to all viewers! Wish that you are having a good day! Today I am going to talk about opening advantages- The current consensus regarding the World Chess Championship 2018 has been that neither of the players are able to get an advantage out of the opening with the White pieces. White having the advantage of the first move is usually expected to have a micro-advantage from the start of the game. However, that is not what we are able to see from the Match taking place in The College, London. Earlier, an opening advantage was considered to be one wherein White builds up a clear Initiative or advantage especially against the opposition King. Those were the romantic days, however. With the coming of 13th World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, the focus was on playing strong concrete opening variations in order to put the opponent on the back foot from move 1 and to gain the initiative from both White and Black.
The definition of an opening surprise has however, changed considerably- the most prominent reason of them being the introduction of strong computer engine programmes which levels the playing field and makes it increasingly difficult to gain any opening advantage. Even grandmasters now find it extremely hard to get any opening advantage against their level of opposition as well as against players who are a little lower-rated than them. The definition of an opening advantage therefore has changed considerably! What does an opening advantage consist of now? Well, here are the things people now consider to be sufficient to get an opening advantage:
1.) To get your idea in- If one has an opening idea that has been rarely played in the position or an opening idea that is novel- being played for the first time- that goes a long way to determining the rhythm of the game. On an average, one's performance in the game significantly increases once one gets his/her idea in the opening stages.
2.) To get a position where one has better understanding- This is especially used by classical players like Carlsen, Karpov etc. They try to get in positions wherein they have more experience and understanding. This is very often also a strategy of Strong experienced players who usually try to avoid the opening stages Eg. Alexey Dreev although he is theoritically very strong also.
3.) To get more time than your opponent on the clock- This is an extremely important point especially in today's chess wherein it is extremely difficult to get an advantage in the opening. Getting 10-15 minutes more than your opponent proves to be advantageous especially in the latter stages of the game wherein the opponent would have less time than you. It is an extremely important aspect especially today and one must try and play quick moves in the opening to make it difficult for one's opponent to play and make the situation uncomfortable to your opponent.
4.) Playing to one's own strengths- This is extremely important. Strong positional players usually chose openings like Carlsbad Structures with White, the Petroff/Caro- Kann with Black while Queen's Gambit Declined with the Black pieces. They might also chose the Ruy Lopez with White and some placid variations against the Siccilian Defense. For players wanting to fight for complex play, the Arkhangelsky Opening looks to be the choice to go for with Black or even the Siccilian, Benoni Opening is an interesting try to muddy waters while playing the complex Poisoned Pawn Variation, Scotch Opening can never be dismissed.
5.) Play to your opponent's weaknesses- This is used quiet extensively in today's modern chess world. One should normally chose his/her repertoire in order to lead to positions wherein the opponent feels uncomfortable and positions which he/she does not like to play. This is an extremely important strategy one must know at all times and also something frequently used! This was popularly used by Vladimir Kramnik in his 2000 Match v/s Garry Kasparov nullifying his opponent's strengths.
6.) Another important aspect is to be in a better physical condition than your opponent- This can be maintained by not preparing too much and not preparing too less at the very same time. Players must have some sharp preparations yet not prepare too little at the very same time. Over-prepared players can very often not exert as much energy as can relaxed players who have had a balanced opening preparation. This can be especially important to maintain for more senior players who have lesser energy than their junior counterparts. In this case, Carlsen v/s Fabiano for the World Championship.
This seems to be particularly distressing for Carlsen who has not looked good in the last 2 hours of each game until now- his stamina is not the same as it was earlier as is often the case with sports stars entering towards their 30's. He is also not looking as fresh in the post-game press conferences and is looking tensed and exhausted. A major cause of worry for Team Carlsen. Credits: Mike Klein.
These factors and more have been described in this interview taken more than 2 years interview which is of the challenger Fabiano Caruana itself! https://chess24.com/en/read/news/caruana-olympiad-gold-would-be-a-huge-personal-success
Caruana uses many of these principles to the maximum effect as described in the interview. The results are for all to see! Here during the 6th game of the 12 game Match against Magnus Carlsen in New York. Caruana also looks to be much fresher until now. With the games tied at 3 games apiece, the balance looks to be in the challenger's favour. Credits: Mike Klein
The definition of an opening surprise has however, changed considerably- the most prominent reason of them being the introduction of strong computer engine programmes which levels the playing field and makes it increasingly difficult to gain any opening advantage. Even grandmasters now find it extremely hard to get any opening advantage against their level of opposition as well as against players who are a little lower-rated than them. The definition of an opening advantage therefore has changed considerably! What does an opening advantage consist of now? Well, here are the things people now consider to be sufficient to get an opening advantage:
1.) To get your idea in- If one has an opening idea that has been rarely played in the position or an opening idea that is novel- being played for the first time- that goes a long way to determining the rhythm of the game. On an average, one's performance in the game significantly increases once one gets his/her idea in the opening stages.
2.) To get a position where one has better understanding- This is especially used by classical players like Carlsen, Karpov etc. They try to get in positions wherein they have more experience and understanding. This is very often also a strategy of Strong experienced players who usually try to avoid the opening stages Eg. Alexey Dreev although he is theoritically very strong also.
3.) To get more time than your opponent on the clock- This is an extremely important point especially in today's chess wherein it is extremely difficult to get an advantage in the opening. Getting 10-15 minutes more than your opponent proves to be advantageous especially in the latter stages of the game wherein the opponent would have less time than you. It is an extremely important aspect especially today and one must try and play quick moves in the opening to make it difficult for one's opponent to play and make the situation uncomfortable to your opponent.
4.) Playing to one's own strengths- This is extremely important. Strong positional players usually chose openings like Carlsbad Structures with White, the Petroff/Caro- Kann with Black while Queen's Gambit Declined with the Black pieces. They might also chose the Ruy Lopez with White and some placid variations against the Siccilian Defense. For players wanting to fight for complex play, the Arkhangelsky Opening looks to be the choice to go for with Black or even the Siccilian, Benoni Opening is an interesting try to muddy waters while playing the complex Poisoned Pawn Variation, Scotch Opening can never be dismissed.
5.) Play to your opponent's weaknesses- This is used quiet extensively in today's modern chess world. One should normally chose his/her repertoire in order to lead to positions wherein the opponent feels uncomfortable and positions which he/she does not like to play. This is an extremely important strategy one must know at all times and also something frequently used! This was popularly used by Vladimir Kramnik in his 2000 Match v/s Garry Kasparov nullifying his opponent's strengths.
6.) Another important aspect is to be in a better physical condition than your opponent- This can be maintained by not preparing too much and not preparing too less at the very same time. Players must have some sharp preparations yet not prepare too little at the very same time. Over-prepared players can very often not exert as much energy as can relaxed players who have had a balanced opening preparation. This can be especially important to maintain for more senior players who have lesser energy than their junior counterparts. In this case, Carlsen v/s Fabiano for the World Championship.
This seems to be particularly distressing for Carlsen who has not looked good in the last 2 hours of each game until now- his stamina is not the same as it was earlier as is often the case with sports stars entering towards their 30's. He is also not looking as fresh in the post-game press conferences and is looking tensed and exhausted. A major cause of worry for Team Carlsen. Credits: Mike Klein.
These factors and more have been described in this interview taken more than 2 years interview which is of the challenger Fabiano Caruana itself! https://chess24.com/en/read/news/caruana-olympiad-gold-would-be-a-huge-personal-success
Caruana uses many of these principles to the maximum effect as described in the interview. The results are for all to see! Here during the 6th game of the 12 game Match against Magnus Carlsen in New York. Caruana also looks to be much fresher until now. With the games tied at 3 games apiece, the balance looks to be in the challenger's favour. Credits: Mike Klein
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