should i play 1.e4 or 1.d4 or something else?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
actually i would play the Stiff little fingers variation, heard them on the radio today, Alternative Ulster, awesomeness, anyhow back to the chess, but I am looking for advise on any particular systems Trev my son, based on the criteria. i think i should at least try to learn one opening past the third move.

...the wages of sin is death...

Originally posted by Big Orange Country
the contents of 1-4,
supplemented with statement 5,
are contradictory.

actually no they are not. when one places ones pawn on 1.e4, is one engaging in piece play or pawn play? that is correct, pawn play my friend! one may employ a number of systems that require a slow build up, the kings Indian attack for example, the closed Sicilian, etc etc

Originally posted by black beetle
...the wages of sin is death...

Alas my friend, i am doomed to confusion, is there no way out of here Beetle?

I play d4 and get nice attacking games with some e4 character. The catalan is not a good opening if you want e4 play, it is mainly based on long term pressure on the queenside.

I would suggest looking at games of e.g. Aronian or Grischuk or other agressive players that use mainly d4. I have had trouble choosing an opening move but have found out that d4 really fits me, it might fit you!

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Alas my friend, i am doomed to confusion, is there no way out of here Beetle?

Rob, play them all and see which ones you like, overthinking all the possible permutations is only going to do your head in. You have to find this out for yourself.

Some people like playing d4, some e4. As you know i like playing c4 at the moment, but in a few months time i may change to something else.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Alas my friend, i am doomed to confusion, is there no way out of here Beetle?

Yes; methinks the ultimate sin of the chessplayer is neglecting tactics😵

Originally posted by Proper Knob
Rob, play them all and see which ones you like, overthinking all the possible permutations is only going to do your head in. You have to find this out for yourself.

Some people like playing d4, some e4. As you know i like playing c4 at the moment, but in a few months time i may change to something else.

yes dont i just know it , English opening (spit ding!)

Originally posted by black beetle
Yes; methinks the ultimate sin of the chessplayer is neglecting tactics😵

yes after a long long struggle my games are generally always decided by a tactical shot! one builds the house of cards only to see it crash to the ground because of some tactical miscalculation or even worse, optimism! bah how i am an eternal optimist Beetle fearing nothing! and also winning nothing as a consequence!

Play e4.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
yes after a long long struggle my games are generally always decided by a tactical shot! one builds the house of cards only to see it crash to the ground because of some tactical miscalculation or even worse, optimism! bah how i am an eternal optimist Beetle fearing nothing! and also winning nothing as a consequence!

Then why don't ye become prest to train harder? Methinks you could try for starters to go all the way up to 93 Hope Street and get the proper ammunition -it's closer than Ardcalloch I reckon, and them noble warriors up there will be glad to hand you the solid drakkar required for the fast deployment of yer chessmen😵

Why choose? Play them both.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
actually no they are not. when one places ones pawn on 1.e4, is one engaging in piece play or pawn play? that is correct, pawn play my friend! one may employ a number of systems that require a slow build up, the kings Indian attack for example, the closed Sicilian, etc etc

The KIA hasn't been popular since Fisher used it...
the Closed Sicilian hasn't been popular since Spassky...
and with 1. e4 white is going for piece play...
look at the Giuoco Piano and Ruy Lopez...
White will a lot of times have moved three pieces and castled while having moved only one pawn.

Originally posted by Big Orange Country
[b]The KIA hasn't been popular since Fisher used it...
the Closed Sicilian hasn't been popular since Spassky...

I don't believe either of these statements are true, especially at the amateur level. GM Morozevich led the vanguard of recent masters playing the KIA, and the Closed Sicilian has had more than one renaissance since the 1980's, especially when White players were scoring well with 6. Be3.

Taking a step back, the popularity or lack thereof for any particular opening would not automatically be a factor for me. Following fashion in chess is letting other people influence your play in a manner that doesn't really help.

As a humorous aside, I live in Florida in the US, and below the Master level by far the most popular answer to 1. e4 c5 is the Closed Sicilian. In local tournaments it is the de facto "main line", with the Open Sicilian being an interesting sideline that people rarely get to play.

Perhaps I should say that we should pay attention to fashion so we'll know what we need to prepare against.

As Paul, I have observed that the so-called mainlines are rare gems in local OTB tournament play below the master level.

Originally posted by Paul Leggett
I don't believe either of these statements are true, especially at the amateur level. GM Morozevich led the vanguard of recent masters playing the KIA, and the Closed Sicilian has had more than one renaissance since the 1980's, especially when White players were scoring well with 6. Be3.

Taking a step back, the popularity or lack thereof for any par ...[text shortened]... t we should pay attention to fashion so we'll know what we need to prepare against.

GM Morozevich (peace be upon him!)