Closed openings in chess. Closed openings in chess D2 d4 chess
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
Scottish Party
The name of this opening dates back to 1824, when the famous game took place, played by correspondence between the two cities of Edinburgh and London. Scottish chess players successfully carried out an early promotion of a pawn in the center. The first mention of this beginning dates back to 1750, it appears in the “Experience chess game ", manuscripts of the Italian master Ercole del Rio, and the first analyzes are found in 1763, in the treatise of another Italian G. Lolli "Observations on Theory and Practice chess game" In the 19th century to the development of " Scottish Party » G. Staunton, V. Steinitz, L. Paulsen contributed. And a little later, the great A. Alekhine and S. Tartakover. A huge contribution to the modern theory of origin was made by Garry Kasparov, who played it twice in the world championship match against Anatoly Karpov (1990). The main idea of 3. d2-d4 is to try to achieve an advantage in the center. In batches where used Scottish Party A lively piece fight ensues, in which, nevertheless, blacks have equal chances.
Today we will look at the 14 most important openings that every chess player must know. Many of these openings are actively used by the most famous masters in their games. However, this does not mean that you have to be Kasparov to play the Queen's Gambit, or Kramnik to use the Catalan Opening. With the help of our material, you will be able to play the opening well, regardless of your current level.
King's Indian Defense remains one of the main weapons against 1.d4, when playing to win. This popular defense has had its ups and downs throughout modern practice. This opening was very popular in the 50s, thanks to players such as Bronstein, Geller, Gligoric, whose games gave a big impetus to the development of the theory of the King's Indian Defense.
Before we begin the presentation, we will cover a basic comprehension question for this article: “ What is the Carlsbad Pawn Structure?».
This concept refers to the pawn structure resulting from the Exchange Variation in the Queen's Gambit, which was first encountered in 1923 in Carlsbad. In the following diagram, we see this pawn structure:
Volzhsky Gambit, also known as the Benko Gambit, one of the most popular choices against 1.d4 in modern practice. This opening gives Black the opportunity to impose a strategic fight mixed with tactics, which gives good results. Although this gambit has never been the main weapon at the top level, such famous chess players as Veselin Topalov, Alexei Shirov, Mikhail Adams and Evgeniy Bareev often used it, showing very interesting and double-edged swords.
Caro-Kann, as is known, is a solid defense against 1.e4. Over the years, she has developed a reputation as a passive starter whose goal is to fight for a draw. And this is not far from the truth!
Tip: To improve your game, you need to not only study the opening, but also focus on positional understanding and endgame play. If you want to play endings well, I suggest checking out where we study a lot of common endings. After studying these materials, you will no longer have to guess about the winning approach. You will simply apply a refined technique:
« English Beginning" - a solid debut for White. Usually the game is reduced to a closed type, with minimal exchanges. From the very beginning the game becomes tense and there are not many forced options for each side. In his prime, Garry Kasparov quite often used the English principle, in which he achieved remarkable victories. He made a significant contribution to the development of the opening theory of this opening.
Berlin Defense V Spanish Party has become part of the main weapon for Black today. Berlin has a reputation for being boring and a draw for Black. However, everything changed when Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik used it against Garry Kasparov in the World Championship match.
IN last years, popularity of the move 1…e5 has increased significantly. For a long time, this answer to the move 1.e4 was considered less ambitious compared to the Sicilian Defense. However, times have changed, and now 1…e5 perceived differently.
The Dragon Variation is one of the most difficult openings in Sicilian defense. As a rule, those who play the “Dragon” are very well prepared. The goal of these chess players is to lure their opponent into sharp positions full of tactical traps. It is also worth noting that the Yugoslav attack ( Be3, f3, Qd2 etc.) today the main weapon against Blacks.
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Today we will look at how to fight against the Najdorf Variation. This opening is most common after the moves 1. e4 c5. For White, I will offer well-known and successful ideas that will help defeat Najdorf, without any difficult options or the risk of losing the game.
The Grand Prix variation against the Sicilian Defense is one of those openings that are studied once and then only practical application.
For every chess player who plays 1.e4, Scandinavian defense has always been unpleasant debut. Not because it is so dangerous for White, but because the main lines in which White gains a theoretical advantage are quite complex And difficult to remember. This defense is rarely seen in practice, making it even more difficult to use existing theory against it.
By revising closed variation against the Sicilian Defense, one cannot fail to mention ex-Champions Vasily Smyslov and Boris Spassky. Each had their own playing style and contributed greatly to the opening theory of this variation.
Today Catalan beginning- one of the Whites' main weapons against Refused Queen's Gambit . This opening has become popular thanks to the efforts of players such as Kramnik and Gelfand, who use it frequently and with great success.
The Slavic Defense is considered one of the three best openings for Black against 1.d4. After the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 White must know not only the main line with 4...dxc4, but also 4...e6- semi-Slavic continuations. The number of options in these continuations is quite large and a chess player does not always have enough patience and time to study them.
Note: If you are aiming for sharp increase in chess level, then it is necessary to systematically work on all elements of the game:
- Tactics
- Positional play
- Attack Skills
- Endgame technique
- Analysis classic games
- Psychological preparation
- And much more
At first glance it seems like there is a lot of work to be done. But thanks to our training course Your training will be easy, efficiently and with minimal time. Join the "" training program right now!
Good day to you, dear friend!
Which chess player was the first to think of making the first move other than e2-e4 is not known for certain. People, like no other creature living on earth, love to look for new ways and create problems for themselves and others. Chess players are no exception. This is probably how closed openings appeared in chess.
What are closed openings?
The understanding of which openings to call closed has changed several times in the history of chess.
At first, closed openings were called everything that is played differently than 1.e2-e4 e7-e5
Then all the openings that arise during the first move for White d2-d4.
The theory of openings does not stand still. As it grows, new variants arise that are literally screaming to be given a more or less memorable name.
This is how the Indian Defense, the King's Indian Defense, the Nimzowitsch Defense, the Dutch Defense and some others appeared, in which Black on 1.d4 makes a different move than 1…d7-d5.
Today such openings are called semi-closed. And openings that begin with the first move 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 are called closed.
Although in some sources, perhaps, you will come across an old classification. However, by and large, this question is not so fundamental, in my opinion. As my grandmother used to say: “Call it a pot, just don’t put it in the stove.”
Review of closed openings
1.Queen's Gambit
The Queen's Gambit is classified into several openings.
1.1.Queen's Gambit Declined
Black avoids taking the c4 pawn. Queen Refused has a reputation as a quite reliable opening. There may be some passiveness at first, but if Black manages to repel White's attempts to gain an advantage, he can count on seizing the initiative.
1.1.1.Orthodox defense
The orthodox defense is well studied. Has a reputation for being quite reliable for Black, although somewhat passive
1.1.2.Tarrasch Defense
The idea of the Tarrasch Defense is active piece play instead of isolating the pawn on d5, which appears in many variations. The Tarrasch Defense went through different times, but after another “disgrace” it was revived in the games of leading grandmasters, firing unexpectedly, like a jack-in-the-box.
1.1.3. Yanovsky's defense
The idea of the Yanovsky defense is to carry out a two-move d5:c4 and b7-b5, developing the light-squared bishop on b7 at a tempo. However, White has enough choice to thwart Black's plans. For example 4.с4:d5.
1.2.Queen's Gambit Accepted
Black takes the pawn on c4. But not to hold her back. Clinging to a pawn with tenacity worthy of better use can quickly lead to fiasco:
In accepted queen move, Black returns the c4 pawn, trying to complete the development faster and put pressure on White's center. Moreover, sometimes they themselves sacrifice a pawn.
Example batch:
Fogelman – Bronstein 0:1
Now an example of a White victory:
Alekhine-Bek 1:0
2. Catalan beginning
“Catalanka” is an independent debut. It can occur by rearranging moves from many other openings.
By fiancheting the king's bishop, White puts pressure on Black's queenside, making it difficult for the pieces to develop. In addition, the bishop g2 can successfully support a program break in the center with the move e4.
3.Slavic defense
The idea of Slavic defense is similar to the Karo-Kann defense. Black leaves a free diagonal for the light-squared bishop to exit.
In addition, the move c6 strengthens the center and creates the preconditions for an attack on the queenside with the move b7-b5, and, if possible, to hold the c4 pawn.
Example batch:
Fokin – Suetin 0:1
The Slavic Defense is a strong and at the same time tactically interesting opening with an excellent reputation.
4.Debut of Queen's Pawns
White refuses the move 2.с4 in favor of the moves 2. Bg5, Nf3, Bf4 and some others. Sometimes White makes the move c2-c4 a little later. Positions of different nature arise. So to speak, “not for everyone.”
5.Albin's Counter Gambit
We discussed this interesting method of counterplay in the article
6.Chigorin's defense
Chigorin's idea of defense is figure play and pressure on the center. Leads to sharp positions in many variations. In most of them, according to modern opening theory, White has the advantage.
Example batch:
Teichman - Chigorin 0:1
Should we play closed openings?
“The soul is not in the mood to play French defense. How can White win there? I just can’t consistently get an advantage in this opening. About the same with Spanish party. What else to play in response to 1... e7-e5 besides the Spanish one?”
The leap into the unknown ended with a complete transition to closed openings. As they say, the main thing is to get into a fight, and then we’ll see. I won't say that I'm a big fan of this phrase, but there is some truth in it.
I will repeat my thought once again: in chess it is important to test different openings. Even those that at first seem unfamiliar and incomprehensible. Only in practical game you will be able to understand whether it is yours or not.
This does not mean that you need to try every opening known in theory. But I highly recommend the main, most popular and well-developed ones. This way your opening preparation will be more balanced.
Later, as you grow, you will make conscious choices in favor of one opening or another. Already taking into account your opponent and the connection of the opening with the middlegame and endgame.
Thank you for your interest in the article.
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