Bob sent me these games with his own notes to illustrate both some
nice amateur games with the Sicilian Defence, but also to
illustrate what sorts of thinking and assessment goes on at club
level. Bob is about an {A} player, so if that's where you want to
be, this is the level of judgement you should be capable of.
Thanks, Bob!
(28) Martin,R [B78]
Note for visitors: the Minor section has a grade ceiling
of BCF 100 (ELO=1400, USCF class D), and the intermediate has a
ceiling of BCF 125 (ELO=1600, USCF class C).
"Giuoco Pianissimo" is an old Italian phrase
meaning "very quiet game"; if you can't remember that you might
prefer if we just call this line "Old Stodge"...
'...a system, imperfect though it may be, is preferable to move
to move improvisation' -- KONIG
Studying opening theory is one of the best and worst
tasks for the ambitious chess player: the best, because catching
your opponent with a prepared tactical or strategical plan gives
you a headstart to victory; the worst, because no- one likes
mugging up variations.
Subject: Re: Help needed: Any similar black and white opening
systems?
References: < 4e0avl$947@newsbf02.news.aol.com >
In article < 4e0avl$947@newsbf02.news.aol.com > mlkienholz@aol.com
(Mlkienholz) writes:
>
>
>Hi netters,
>
>Does anyone have any advice for selecting an opening system? I have been
>told
>that this is my achilles heel. What I'm looking for is a black and white
>system that has similar objectives, like maybe the Sicilian and the
>English.
>But I'd also like to find something that is flexible, and useful against
"All openings offer good winning chances in amateur play"
-- LOMBARDY.
I used to know a Henry who was known as H4 Stewart
because of his inclination to 1.h4 as an opening move, and I'm sure
it saved him a lot of time sweating over the latest line in the
Sicilian Dragon. How should you reply to openings like this? If
faced with 1.h4, or anything else unusual, just keep playing good
chess - keep calm, keep developing, keep your eye on the centre,
and keep your wits about you.
P.S. I had another think about this and the
Cambridge springs and came up with the more comprehensive Playing Black against 1. d4 booklet, which has more
examples and variations, including Unusual variations of the Dutch Defence.
That is for better players and older juniors, I think; this one is
just to get you started.
From D.Regis@exeter.ac.uk Mon Dec 2 13:33:20 1996
Subject: Re: Guioco Piano notes
To: lorda@boat.bt.com (Andrew Lord)
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 13:33:18 +0000 (GMT)
Hi Andrew
> I've just got addicted to chess
Sympathy: there is no cure...
> I'm stuck on a problem with a Guiuco Piano line. I got as far
> as:
>
> 1. e4 e5
> 2. Nf3 Nc6
> 3. Bc4 Bc5
> 4. c3 Nf6
> 5. d4 exd4
> 6. cxd4 Bb4+
> 7. Nc3 Nxe4
> 8. 0-0 BxN
> 9. d5
>