How to Build a Repertoire Ypaat Chess Academy

 The theory of the middle game and the end game is essential in the struggle for the victory. However, just as important is our theoretical preparation in the opening, so as to lay solid and sound foundations on which to build with our knowledge of the stages that follow.

In contrast to the middlegame and the endgame, where theory is objective and accepted by everyone, in the opening each chess player makes his choices in accordance with his emotions and his personal experience. No opening loses, no opening wins.

All other view points on the openings are pointless and harmless to the progress of a chess player. Opening knowledge is important and essential, but it cannot constitute the panacea of chess education, nor can we possibly demand to win solely thanks to this knowledge.

Selection of a chess player's opening is a purely personal matter. It is his duty to study in depth and comprehend topics such as the correct move orders, the ideas behind these moves and the plans to be employed in the middlegame.

One great paradox is common among young chess players( and not only them) this phenomenon is called' fear of the opponent's preparation and is expressed by a disproportionate appreciation of hos own abilities with regard to the openings he has chosen.  In simple words, the concept of falling into the opponents preparation. a concept that is so commonly encountered on a young chess player's lips, is nothing other than a deeply hidden insecurity regarding the mediocre or even weak understanding of the chosen openings. 

A chess player that has studied and understood the openings he has chosen cannot possibly be afraid of his opponents, in this particular field.

How is it possible, after having gained so much experience and played a specific opening so many times, to be afraid that his opponent will prove more 'informed or more competent than him? it Would practically amount to 'suicide' for our opponent to enter an opening that we have mastered when he doesn't posses analogous experience.

Naturally there are occasions when the opponent's preparation can prove deadly. It is possible even to lose games due to a specific opening discovery by the opponent, this has happened begore and will surely happen again. We can however learn from our defeat and delve even deeper in our chosen openings

Choosing which openings 'suit us' is a tricky process. Every chess player will, during his competitive  career, change several of his openings or variations within them. Personal experience, difficult situations, alterations in his personality will to a great extent determine these changes that are considered natural and desirable his quest for his general progress.

The charts that follow offer a general overview of the desirable ' ' repertoire tree; that a chess player must have.

If  the chess player opens the game with 1. e4 he must prepare ( nake a selection) in the following openings.

White 1. e4 

1. Alekhine Defence
2. Caro-kann Defence
3. French Defense
4. Italian Game
5. Kings Gambit
6. Modern Defense
7. Petroff Defense
8. Ruy Lopez 
9. Scandinavian Defence
10. Scotch Game
11. Sicilian Defence
12. Vienna Game
13. Various other replies

If the chess player opens the game with 1. d4, 1.c4, 1. Nf3 then he must prepare in the following openings.

White 1.d4, 1.c4, 1. Nf3 

1. Benoni Defence
2. Catalan opening
3. Dutch defence
4. English opening
5. Grunfeld Defence
6. King's indian Defence
7. Nimzo-indian defense
8. Old indian defence
9. Queen's gambit accepted 
10. Queen's gambit declined 
11. Queen's indian defence
12. Queen's pawn game
13. Slav defence
14. Tarrasch defiance
15. Various other replies 

Naturally, preparation must continue with the black pieces as well. Against 1.e4 the chess player select one or more opening among.

Black 1.e4 

1. Alekhine Defence 
2. Caro-kann Defence 
3. French Defence 
4. Italian Gambit 
5. Kings Gambit
6. Modern Defence
7. Petroff Defence
8. Pirc Defence
9. Ruy Lopez
10. Scandinavian Defence
11. Scotch Game
12. Vienna Game
13. Various other replies 

Black 1.d4/1.c4/1.Nf3

1. Benoni Defence
2. Catalan Opening
3. Dutch Defence
4. English defence
5. Grunfeld Defence
6. King's Indian Defence
7. Nimzo Indian Defence
8. Old Indian Defence
9. Queen's Gambit Accepted
10. Queen's Gambit Declined
11. Queen Indian Defence
12. Queen Pawn game
13. Slav Defence
14. Tarrasch Defence
15. Various other replies 

\Opening, unlike the middlegame and the endgame, demand perpetual study, refreshment and proper information.

 Of course the role of the experienced trainer is always in need . His/ her knowledge would allow us to build a more or less acceptable repertoire and avoid losing precious time asking ourselves what is good and what is bad for us.

A Potentially

very strong chess-playerd clearly understands why it is important to save time.