HOW TO LEARN THE OPENINGS

Part I

In this article, we give you a practical method to understand and learn the openings. At
this point, we assume that you know what openings are best for you, according to your
style of play and other criteria. Here, we will talk about the method of learning; no matter
what system you are playing against what opening.

Take the opening system you want to study and divide it in more main lines/variations.
The Encyclopedia of chess opening could be of a great help at this stage. Then, using a
filter database, find the games played in that line (if there are too many games, refine
your search by choosing only games played between higher rated players).

So, you are now studying only a part of an opening, a particular line, and you have
prepared (chose) some games (30-100). Go through the following steps and, then, you
will be able to state that you understand the plans and ideas behind the moves of that line:

1) Look fast over all the selected games one time.

2) Then, take the games once again and, for this time, try to intuit the players’ moves
before looking at what’s next. However, don’t spend too much time on every
move. Try to identify the key moments of the opening and observe the plans of
play during the middlegame. Try to understand the move order (why a move was
played before another).
3) Write down your conclusions separately for every game you found instructive and
draw the plans of play for both players.
4) Choose one, two or even three model games. We will explain what is this “model
game” because it is a new concept:

How should be or not be the “model game”:

a) The model game shouldn’t be a quick draw between two bored players. The
model game shouldn’t be very short either.
b) You must really like that game.
c) The game should be representative for that opening line; the players’ plans should
be representative for that kind of position.
d) The model game should be between two players about the same value, maximum
200 points rating difference.
e) The model game should have very few mistakes. You can check the game with
your chess engine if you like.
f) The model game should be annotated by one of the players (the best case), by
another world-class player, or by you if you are sure you understood all the
subtleties of that game.
g) The model game should demonstrate a real fight of ideas and plans of both
players and you should understand them.
 h) The model game does not need to be the most important game of that variation;
neither contains the most recent novelty.

We cannot enounce all the criteria after which a model game should be chose, but for
sure you already know now how this “model game” should be.

If you like, you can select two or even more games as model games for a line.
Ok, you have chosen the model game(s) for the line you are studying. Now, what should
you do with this game?

a) You should try to understand all the moves, all the subtleties, all the plans and the
move order;
b) You should annotate this game inside one of your chess notebooks (hoping you
have one), with as many comments as possible;
c) You should enjoy memorizing this game;

So, a “model game” for every important opening line you will play will make the things
easier and more enjoyable. Then, you surely cannot forget the main ideas of that line.
You will also know where you can drive your game because… you have a model. A
model game also offers you a strong emotional support. You will have Tal, Kasparov,
Anand or other master right behind you as the study of that game put you very close to
the thoughts of that player.

Will continue…