Sharing Tips on How to Improve (General)

by mindcramp, Monday, September 03, 2007, 13:31 (6438 days ago) @ Tony Kosten

With respect to openings, many writers and coaches recommend adopting a narrow repertoire and sticking with it ("...one reply against 1.e4, and one against 1.d4"). I think that this approach is good for short term results, and of course it is better than jumping around the book haphazardly. But in the long term, I think this can limit one's progress as a chess player. Could get boring, too.

If that belief resonates with you, here are some ideas for making progress.

(A) If you are a 1.e4 player, then add 1.d4, and vice-versa. This is initially a lot of work, but highly beneficial. Also very liberating.
(B) Do the narrow repertoire approach for a year or two, but add something new every year, while keeping the old.
(C) The things you add can be relatively low-theory, such as the King's Indian Attack or London System (I said "relatively"!).
(D) Open a new anonymous account on ICC, and use it as an alter-ego to play openings you would never touch in real life.

The purpose is to become acquainted with a greater range of structures and plans.