Theory in Non-Theoretical Lines

Submitted by ih8sens on Tue, 10/20/2009 at 12:40pm.

A lot of players I know (even experts and masters) make a fairly significant mistake.  In an effort to avoid... well... effort, these players opt for less common openings, hoping to avoid theory.  The Scotch and the Scandinavian are the two most popular of these (in my opinion). 

The problem with these older openings is that, even though there is less theory, the theory that can be found becomes indescribably more important... a lot of players are willing to take their chances when it comes to studying theory at all.

 

Here's a fun miniature I played here @ chess.com.  It's a great example of why the 'book moves' are worth learning.

 

Comments:

by ih8sens - 19 days ago
Sudbury, Ontario Canada
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 2797

All that's being played at the top (or semi-top ... low 2700's at most) is the Qd6 lines... they seem solid enough. 

by Elubas - 19 days ago
Buffalo United States
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 2337

Last time I checked was just in the intro where it says something like, "white gets an advantage, but only a slight advantage" which must be talking about 3...Qa5 since it's the most popular. But I never looked into the lines it was giving.

by ih8sens - 19 days ago
Sudbury, Ontario Canada
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 2797

Do you have the MCO line? ... or does it give lines? ... I don't have access to the 'black player's theory ... but what I do have (minimal rybka preparation and a few games by Phoebetor.... possibly the greatest tactician on the site) indicates that white can get more than a small advantage in all lines.  He obviously doesn't win by force but it's more than your typical 'slight opening initiative' in the Najdorf.

by Elubas - 19 days ago
Buffalo United States
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 2337

The Qe2 plan looks effective but I mean MCO says white only gets a slight edge in these lines, though black doesn't equalize. And MCO is opening analysis by great players obviously. Now, if d5 can be done by force no matter what black does then maybe you're onto something, but it probably can't.

by ih8sens - 19 days ago
Sudbury, Ontario Canada
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 2797

Qa5 is rubbish.  The Qe2 idea has been used for years and rybka gives white massive advantages...

 

What's the supposed 'improvement' on the Qa5 lines?  And why isn't it seen in top GM play?

by Achterberg - 20 days ago
Amsterdam Netherlands
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 66

ehm, ..Qa5 is far from refuted, anyone thinking anything else is well advised to read the surveys ( Königsspringerzurückhaltungspolitik) written by french GM Eric Prié in the new in chess yearbooks.


by ih8sens - 24 days ago
Sudbury, Ontario Canada
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 2797

Qa5 IS the mainline...

The refuted mainline.

by Elubas - 24 days ago
Buffalo United States
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 2337

3...Qa5 is the main line, isn't it? 3...Qd6 has more winning chances, but it can be hit by an eventual Bf4.

by shuttlechess92 - 30 days ago
California United States
Member Since: Jul 2008
Member Points: 1861

omg owned. I'm so playing Qe2 and Bd2 next scandinavian!

by ih8sens - 31 days ago
Sudbury, Ontario Canada
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 2797

Qd6 is the only move that keeps it alive imo.  Qd6 is actually fairly agressive... it has enough theory (modern theory) and white has huge winning chances... but at least black does too.

by Adamperfection - 31 days ago
Brantford Canada
Member Since: Oct 2008
Member Points: 375

what do you think is better than Qa5? Qd6?

 

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