[what is this?]

[what is this?]

A 1. Nf3! Repertoire (Version 1.0) Based principally on the games of Karpov, Kramnik, Smyslov, and Petrosian. 33 games, 1988-2005 A 1. Nf3! Repertoire (Version 2.0) 1...Nf6 Eng1 (English Symmetrical Hedgehog) 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 ... Space, mobility, and weaknesses are principal factors. Likely endgame involves advanced pawns and rook(s). 1...d5 SS1 (Semi-Slav) 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O 14 games, 1974-2000 A 1. Nf3! Repertoire (Version 3.0) I think Nf3 is the best first move because it gives White the most flexibility in determining the pace of the game. This is particularly useful if you enjoy endgames and technical positions, as I do. The following are the variations that I've found most reliably give White a playable edge (with the least memorization necessary). The idea is to get to familiar, comfortable positions, which aren't sharp, which are outside the trendy theoretical lines, and which allow me to just play chess. Yes, I know these are mostly drawish lines. And yes, I really am this boring. QGD - Exchange variation - Positional line, 6.Qc2 (D36) 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 e6 3. c4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 c6 7. Qc2 click for larger view Slav - Exchange variation 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. cxd5 cxd5* 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 click for larger view <QGA> <English> <<Can the Nimzo/Queen's/Catalan trio be avoided with some English line?>> <<Can the King's/Gruenfeld/Old Indian be avoided with some Reti line?>> <<Remember a footnote for player's trying to reach a Dutch> 19 games, 1935-2005 A Caro-Kann Repertoire Key ideas in the Caro-kann. 17 games, 1961-1997 Daniel Pi's favorite games 26 games, 1927-2010 Karpov beats Kasparov This is not meant as an anti-Kasparov collection. He's a great player, but I prefer Anatoly. I consider his wins over Kasparov monumental feats, where logic and technique win over home preparation and superhuman accuracy. I can think of no more cataclysmic match up than Karpov-Kasparov, and it is on the best of these battles that I'd like to focus. 13 games, 1984-1990 Karpov Exploits the a-file It may just be a passing thing, but I noticed that Karpov seems to really like strangling his opponents on the a-file. I'll start the collection with the famous Unzicker game and add more as I encounter them... 2 games, 1974-1975 Karpov's Caro-Kann 4 games, 1974 Karpov's Games from Linares 1994! Karpov's best tournament- a textbook on aggressive positional play! 13 games, 1994 Kramnik plays the Catalan 13 games, 1998-2007 Most Instructive Games Not the most interesting or beautiful games (indeed, more often they may seem decidedly routine), but IMHO the most instructive. I've tried to root around for some obscure little etudes that are nonetheless examples from top-flight GM's. 22 games, 1940-1987 Most Prettiest Games Games that have what Fischer called "juicy" positions. 1 game, 1956 Simple Chess 2 games, 1966-1974 Solid Position vs. Speculative Tactics I am always refreshed to see wild, crazy attack thwarted by solid stategic play. It is always a great tragedy when the risk-taker wins. After all, he/she must be punished for unsound play, and here's where you get to see that punishment. 6 games, 1971-2006 Super Ponomariov Ponomariov is grossly underestimated. His positional insight and endgame technique are unbelievable, and I hope he'll get to be the legitimate (i.e. unified) champion one day. 16 games, 1999-2006 Temp 4 games, 1998-2007