When should you actually learn Openings in Chess?

  Openings are one of the most important fundamental parts of the game. It’s even 1 of the 3 phases of a game of chess (Openings, Middlegames, Endgames). And, while they are important, sometimes, their importance is overrated.

One example would be the Sicilian Defence. An extremely powerful opening, yes. But its sheer difficulty to learn makes it a massive time investment. And without strengthening the other 2 areas, Middlegames and Endgames, all that invested time, and perhaps money, would go to waste.

So, that begs the question, when should you actually learn Openings in Chess?

Point 1/3: Why are Openings even important?

Take a look at this position, and ask yourself, who is better?

Obviously White, right? Well, White is better because their pieces are more active and more centralised, which is the point of openings. Openings in chess are opportunities that allow you to develop, centralise and make your pieces super active.

But, sadly, this is a dream position, which can almost never occur. This is why it’s so difficult to learn openings and their variations. There are a lot of different possible moves they can play, developing differently, playing differently, and even traps! This brings me nicely to my second point:

Point 2/3: Complicated Theory

Let’s start with, What Is Theory? - Theory is objectively, THE BEST move in a common position reached thousands of times.

With that in mind, did you know that the Sicilian, the Berlin or the Giuoco piano have theory all the way beyond move 30? This is because these are, super powerful, super versatile openings that, if played incorrectly, will give the other player a massive advantage.

 Notice how I am in the Openings Database. This has been played hundreds of Times, by GMs all over the World.

This means that learning certain openings can cost up to months of learning theory, and may cost quite a large sum of money to learn. And, to add some salt to the wound, Openings like The London System, or the Vienna are Super simple and still usable, up to a very high level.

So, Should you even learn these openings?

Point 3/3: Should you even learn them?

Yes. But only when you’ve reached 2000 rated, in my opinion. I can assure you with 100% certainty that learning these super-powerful openings will NOT help you, below the 2000 ELO range. 

It does not make sense to pour months into these powerful openings when they will only make a tiny difference. But when you reach 2000+ rating, this 2% more power will help you in your games, and be the difference, between Winning and Losing.

So, please tell me in the comments below, what your ELO is and are you interested in learning these super-powerful openings?

We look forward to seeing you again!

FIDE World Cup 2023 | Round 5 | Game 1

سالم في دوري ال 16 و كارلسن في صراع مع إيفانشوك / بطولة كأس العالم 13

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FIDE World Cup 2023 con Carlsen, Nakamura, Caruana e Vocaturo | Round 4 ...

FIDE World Cup 2023 | Round 4 | Game 2

The End of an Era? Magnus Carlsen Loses to Vincent Keymar in Fide World Cup!

    Magnus Carlsen is one of the greatest players in Chess History. He holds many achievements, such as being the youngest person ever to become a World Chess Champion, having the highest chess rating ever, and many more.

One of these incredible records is 125 consecutive classical games, without losing a single one of them. This is the longest streak in Classical Chess History. Which is why whenever Magnus loses a game, it’s crazy news!

Recently, during the Fide World Cup, which is one of the most important chess tournaments, Magnus actually lost a game against Vincent Keymar. This game shows just how delicate the professional chess scene is and how a simple pawn can decide whether you win or lose.

THE EARLY GAME

The first part of the game was rather uneventful. Magnus played a Grunfield Defence, one of the most powerful defences for black against D4. The only thing somewhat interesting was by move 20, Magnus has a 45-minute advantage on the clock.

Vincent tried to sacrifice a knight in order to enter a tricky and precise series of trades, to hope for a draw. With most of the pieces traded, Vincent only had 7 minutes and 15 seconds, while Magnus still has over 55 minutes.

THE BLUNDER

The critical mistake that turned the tide happened on move 36. Knight C7 was a huge and critical blunder as it now meant that Magnus will lose a pawn. However, with only 6 minutes left, it was unlikely Vincent will be able to win this game.

However, with a bonus time of 20 minutes, Vincent moved forward and forward. But Magnus has counterplay. With the wild B pawn, being Magnus's last hope, he pushes it! However, just in time (with a great move as well), Vincent comes back, threatening a fork if B2 happens.

With the B pawn being dead weight, the four on two of Vincent Keymar's pawns kept marching, moving forward. Even with a knight, a four-on-two pawn advantage will always be a win at this level.

THE LESSON

This game is proof that even an advantage as small as one pawn can be a game-changer, if you know how to use it right. This one pawn was connected, creating a four-pawn chain, which is a serious threat, if you know how to use it right.

Other ways pawns can be dangerous would be like a single isolated pawn far away, creating a distraction that is also a serious enough threat. No matter what, the main lesson of this game is to be resourceful, and to identify and create threats, no matter how small!

CONCLUSION

So while it’s unlikely that this one simple game is the end of Mangus’s career, it is evident that the GOAT has been less active than ever, in the professional chess scene. But, what do you guys think? Is this really the end for Magnus Carlsen? Please answer in the comments section below!

It’s been great to have you here and we’d hope to see you again!

FIDE World Cup 2023 | Round 4 | Game 1

The History of Women in Chess

  For Centuries, Chess has been a male-dominated sport. In many of those years, women were excluded from the game of Chess. Many of the Greatest chess players we know, like Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov or Bobby Fischer have been male Chess Players. 

But, in recent years, there has been a major rise in female Chess Players. From the start of the Women's World Chess Championships, to the first woman gaining the GM Title, and to the Queen’s Gambit show not too long ago, there has been a massive rise in Women Chess Players lately.

So, let’s dive right into the Past, the Present and the Future of Women Players in Chess!!

EARLY HISTORY

The Modern version of chess came out in the 1400s Or the 15th Century. (The classical version came out in the 500s or the 6th Century). And for 400 years since the creation of Modern Chess, Women were banned from playing the game.

But, in the 1800s, there was a rise all over the world of Women Chess players! Many female Chess Clubs began to emerge, challenging the ridiculous notion that Women can not play chess, and allowing many women to learn chess, for the first time!

THE 1900s

The 1900s was, by many, the biggest boom for female Chess Players! Firstly, in 1927, the first Women's World Chess Championship was held, with Vera Menchik becoming the World’s First Women World Chess Champion!

Secondly, in 1991, Susan Polgar became the first woman EVER to become a Grandmaster, by acquiring a full set of standard norms! This was revolutionary because only 200 years ago did women start to play chess, and now, we have the first woman ever to become a Grandmaster!

Unfortunately, at this point in time, there were still many issues. Many rising female chess players were bullied and harassed by their male counterparts. Many of them were even receiving death threats, making chess entering chess for women very difficult.

CURRENTLY + THE FUTURE

In 2020, something incredible happened. Netflix released a brand new show, called The Queen’s Gambit. The show went viral, not only sparking a new wave of chess players but was also inspiring many women to enter the World of chess!

As of writing this in 2023, 3% of all professional chess players are women. Even though this number is ridiculously low, it is still much higher than what it was previously. Better yet, 15% of all chess players in 2023 are female!

In the future, as more and more women chess players enter the professional scene and the overall skill level rise due to competition, these amazing chess players will gain the recognition they deserve. So, which female chess player throughout history was your favourite?

Please drop your answer in the comments and I hope to see you again!

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