“I thought I would try something different.”
This doesn’t usually go well! Here are two examples:
After 1.e4, I expect Tomas has a fair idea about what to do and what
sort of position he is aiming for. After 1.d4, is that really still
true? It is definitely still true for Tomas’ opponent, who I expect
plays those first few moves in every game. Black didn’t really have to
think until move 7, when White was already losing at least a pawn.
The moves White played weren’t daft, but he didn’t seem to know what he
was doing or what the usual tricks are in those sorts of positions. The game
was a fairly easy win for Black and White didn’t really have any chances
at all to draw, let alone win.
Same thing in James’ game last time. I know I have given James a book
which says, play 1…e6 and 2…d5. James chose something else, not
anything daft, because he’s not daft, but he didn’t know what to do. He
ended up failing in all three of the very basic opening goals: get your
pieces out, get at least a stake in the centre, and get castled.
The Benoni is actually a reasonable defence to 1.d4, but Black didn’t
know that, and didn’t know what the right plans are in those sorts of
positions. And by the look of it, White had seen it all before, and knew
exactly what to do about it: put all the pieces in the middle and blast
through with e4-e5.
So, no more of this, please! Pick an opening, learn it, and stick to
it!
When you sit down to play, you really must have four systems in your head:
1. what to play as White as your main opening system
2. what to do if Black dodges
3. what to play as Black against 1.e4
4. what to play as Black against 1.d4
I think I’ve given you all a booklet with enough to get started on all
four systems (different systems for each of you). Please read! I’d
hate for it to feel like homework, but I also hate watching you suffer
in the opening against experienced players.
Now, you may always find an opponent who knows more about the opening
than you do. That doesn’t mean the best thing to do about it is to play
something different than usual, which you don’t know anything about!
This is especially true if you are playing an experienced player. They
may have been playing chess long enough to have played, or played
against, almost every opening there is, and will know much more about
what to do.
What you have to do is be an expert in your opening, so that even if you
do get a surprise, you have an idea about what sorts of things there are
to do for your side.
If you want to try something different:
1. Pick something different from a list of known systems
2. Read a bit about it
3. Try it out in friendly games first to get the hang of it
4. Then you can spring it on an opponent in a match!