Skip to content
TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • TCW Academy
    • iChess
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Improve My Chess
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

5 Best Opening Systems for Club Players for Black

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
07.12.2017
Category: Openings
Tags: chess theory, for Black, openings, openings for club player,
5 Best Opening Systems for Club Players for Black

Opening Systems for Club Players for Black: In our previous article, we have given a selection of opening systems for white. Following the same pattern, we have thought of a few openings the club player can play with black. We have focused on systems that are solid and require less memorization than other purely theoretical lines. However, black doesn’t have the luxury of choice that white has and it is more difficult to rely only on strategic schemes and ideas. Here are our five choices for black.

However, black doesn’t have the luxury of choice that white has and it is more difficult to rely only on strategic schemes and ideas.

Here are our five choices for black.

1. Opening Systems for Black: The French Defense

french defense

The French is a very solid option for black against 1.e4. From the very beginning black challenges the white center and has a large range of options available to each of white’s responses (3.e5, 3.Nc3, 3.Ne2). Again, it is a very direct opening which means that it is easy for black to obtain the exact positions that he has prepared.

This opening is not only solid but can also be very aggressive. It is no wonder that fighting players like Viktor Kortchnoj and Arthur Yusupov employed it regularly in their careers. It continues to be played at the top level and theoretically, it has a perfect reputation.

2. The Nimzo-Indian

Opening Systems for Club Players for Black

Above all, playing the Nimzo-Indian is playing pure chess. It is an opening that has been part of the repertoire of every champion and one that has never gone out of fashion from a theoretical point of view. One of the characteristics of the Nimzo-Indian is the harmonious development that black obtains and the diversity of pawn structures that can arise in the middlegame.

A good start to creating a repertoire and selecting the lines you want to play with black is to look at the games of Michael Adams. In our opinion, he is one of the main exponents of this wonderful defense.

3. Opening Systems for Black: The Bogo-Indian

bogo indian

 

This would be the complement variation for the Nimzo-Indian repertoire. Our choice will depend, after all, on which knight white develops. Again, the Bogo-Indian offers a variety of plans; black can choose between complicated strategic games or aim for equality with calmer lines. Korchnoi was also a fan of this opening and used it with great success in his chess career.

After 3…Bb4, white’s main response is 4.Bd2, and here black can choose between many options, but probably the most interesting is 4…a5 a la Kortchnoj or 4…c5. These two moves lead to a complicated struggle. For the latter, we suggest you look at the games of Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu.

4. The classical 1…e5

1...e5

We suggest you take this opening into consideration regardless if you have another preference. 1…e5 is classical chess and although there is a big amount of theory to know, the plans are all quite natural and logical. Learning 1…e5 from the scrap is not an easy thing.

However, it is a repertoire for a lifetime and every player should be able to play it when the situation demands it.

5. Opening Systems for Black: The Accelerated Dragon Variation in the Sicilian

Opening Systems for Club Players for Black

This opening choice offers black a link between solid and aggressive play. It is easy to learn and contains quite a few tricks that at this level can prove useful in tournament practice. After 4…g6 white can choose between 5.c4, Maroczy type, which will lead to a positional play, and 5.Nc3, which can lead to sharper play.

Want to know more about this opening? Look at Accelerated Dragon: 10 Reasons to Play It.

The main expert on this variation is nowadays the Venezuelan Grandmaster Eduardo Iturrizaga. So, you can start by looking at his games in this opening. The Accelerated Dragon is the most direct way of playing the Dragon. Black reserves the possibility of playing …d5 in only one move. With this, he prevents white from achieving the most dangerous set-up, the Yugoslav Attack (after Be3, f3, and Qd2).

The ideas presented above can help you build a solid and durable repertoire that can be improved over time. Once you reach a certain level, you can add more complicated and aggressive lines that lead to a different type of play. We hope this will serve you as a starting point for your future repertoire. Also, we hope you will find openings that better suit your style.

Good luck!

Want to add French Defense to your Repertoire?

GM Marian Petrov has just completed his 10-hour guide to the French Defense. It contains essential knowledge for playing both sides of this massively popular opening.

Everything in this course is geared towards getting you an advantageous middlegame, no matter what your opponent plays.french defense

Click here to get French Defense Opening Lab 50% OFF

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • Owen’s Defense: Complete GuideOwen’s Defense: Complete Guide
  • Scandinavian Defense: Complete GuideScandinavian Defense: Complete Guide
  • 3 Key Ideas – French Winwawer Structure3 Key Ideas – French Winwawer Structure
Related Products
3.3 3 votes
Article Rating
Login
1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Ned
05.22.2020 18:11

I am interested

0
Reply
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz