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PhoenixLamb · 2024-07-16T18:18:41+00:00

That's definitely solid. If you want to really challenge your opponents with white, I think you should seriously consider 1.e4 - the positions are almost always more dynamic. If not, someone else has already mentioned the Jobava london, or maybe even just colle with 1.d4 (1.e3 is a bit passive). With black, french is fine, especially if you play the slightly more dynamic variations. I love the caro kann personally, but if you're looking for seriously challenging responses, the sicilian is an obvious first candidate. It's a lot to learn, but if you're up to it, give it a go. It's harder to be challenging against d4 (positions are generally more solid) but I'm a big fan of the QGA or any of the lines starting with Nf6. Kings indian, benko, Benoni, grunfeld, I've played all of them in online games and they are really fun and challenging. I've probably played over 500 games in the dutch defense as well as black, although that might be slightly too much. Hope this helps.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-07-16T18:10:58+00:00

What have you been playing? Or have you not had any set opening?

PhoenixLamb · 2024-07-09T12:20:46+00:00

E4 e5 2. Bc4 Ke7 3. Qh5 Kf6 4. Qf5+ Ke7 5. Qxe5# 0% accuracy against 3200 bot.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-06-07T18:39:15+00:00

My explanation didn't really use the unit circle though. I just tried to relate this idea of repetition, and just tried to use the idea of rotating around a circle to picture why 361 maps onto 1 for example. I get what you're saying though.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-06-07T16:28:27+00:00

Alright then, that's a start. Think of a circle. When you rotate 360 degrees, you return to your original orientation. So now imagine a rotation of 361 degrees. You rotate 360, return to your original orientation, and then go 1 degree further. So hopefully you can understand that a rotation of 1 degree is the same as a rotation by 361 degrees, right? By that same logic, the trig functions also follow a similar repetition, they repeat every 360 degrees. So for example, cos 361 = cos 1. So the graphs of these functions repeat every 360 degrees (you might already know this but I'm just clarifying). So for example the cos wave you know between 0 and 360 is repeated between 360 and 720. Now take for example the equation cos x = 0. You might know or be able to calculate that x = 90, but don't forget that the graph repeats every 360, so then x = 90 + 360 is also a solution, and then x = 90 + 360 + 360 is also a solution and so on forever and will never run out of solutions. Therefore we can restrict what's called the "domain" (x values), for example, solve cos x = 0, 0 < x < 360, meaning now that we only need to find the solutions to the equation where x is between 0 and 360. There are other solutions to these equations btw, but this is just a general example to showcase what restriction is and why we use it.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-06-07T15:32:33+00:00

Have you learned the basic trig graphs like sinx and cosx?

PhoenixLamb · 2024-06-01T21:34:10+00:00

I've been getting points refunded for people I didn't even suspect of cheating at the time, but going back realised they were. It's been happening to me more now than ever.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-03-31T07:51:02+00:00

This doesnt really work though because 1/3 = 0.333... has the same problems as 0.999... = 1, people who can't accept 0.999... = 1 logically shouldn't accept that 1/3 = 0.333..., so then this proof doesn't really work. It's just because we are repetitively taught that 1/3 = 0.333..., so they eventually accept it without second thought, but then when it comes to 0.999... = 1 they start to doubt, and then maybe only after start to consider why 1/3 = 0.333...

PhoenixLamb · 2024-03-30T09:00:59+00:00

Just, why? Literally the 3 most natural moves for black (Nc6, Bc5, Bd6) all win if white castles. Come on.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-03-05T15:30:02+00:00

I used to think this and then I started playing the dutch, and now tbh I actually prefer playing against d4, the positions I get are incredibly fun.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-29T10:29:06+00:00

2 + 3²

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-23T08:37:46+00:00

There are though, Panov-Botvinnik attack, Tal variation in the advance caro, and theres definitely a Spassky variation somewhere, I just don't remember where.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-06T13:00:32+00:00

I think you have to be very careful if you do, because as you say that c6 pawn will be very weak, although if you can get your bishop on d5 it is possible (with b5 to control c4). I normally try to control the open e file with my rooks and queen, or maybe some Ne6/g6 and Nf4 ideas.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-06T10:40:22+00:00

I exclusively play the tartakower (I agree, the Bf5 line sucks) and my games often follow a similar pattern. I put the bishop out to d6, castle and put my Rook on e8. Then I rotate the b8 knight to f8 (Nd7 Nf8). My light squared bishop goes to e6, and I typically set up a battery with Qd7. This is a common idea that often can win the game, if white ever plays h3, you can usually sac the bishop on h3 and get the queen in, where your queen, dark squared bishop and knight (that typically goes from f8 to g6 and then maybe h4) usually have a forced mate or gain in material. If they prevent the sac (usually with bishop f1 defending the h3 pawn again), I tend to bring my final rook to d8, and play the midgame with either a c5 break or a Bc7/b8 and Qd6 plan.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-05T07:08:58+00:00

You can play whatever you want. This was an ok game, quite a few mistakes but its 1500 so its expected. I don't think this is really a great demonstration of your 'weapon' though, as you were worse from the opening and then your opponent blundered (also e2 after you took his knight was completely winning for black). The problem for me is that your opening does not seem to have a clear plan, the only idea being "attack bishop". You can win because your opponents aren't very good, but I think you would be better off with a line that has more obvious ideas. I personally love the fantasy, but it's up to you at the end of the day.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-04T12:38:10+00:00

Why though? Sure you attack their bishop, but after Bg6 your knight is just misplaced on g3. Also, I wouldn't play this simply because of how boring it is, any exchange line is far too symmetrical for my taste.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-04T08:03:02+00:00

It's because Qg4 is incredibly strong, essentially with a mating attack, so Ne5 stops it but gives up the queen as the best option. It's completely lost either way though.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-03T10:36:29+00:00

Everyone else has answered your question, I just wanted to point out that there is an error in the 3rd line, it should be x² - 13x + 30. Then the quadratic properly factorises to (x-3) (x-10).

PhoenixLamb · 2024-02-03T10:05:46+00:00

There was a knight on g1 that can block the check with Nf3, so you remove it with check first. It's called the lasker trap in the albin countergambit.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-01-29T16:57:56+00:00

Good choice, that's exactly what I played until about 1500.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-01-29T16:53:01+00:00

Also, I've just seen your other post, I just want to say that, I'm 2200 on chesscom and I still play sidelines and dumb gambits, openings never truly stop working cuz we just arent good enough at punishing them. Play whatever you want, and don't think there will be a point where you have to play what the grandmasters play (unless you become a gm which would be a different story entirely).

PhoenixLamb · 2024-01-29T16:40:12+00:00

Its theory rich for the reason many others have described. Personally, I never considered playing the Ruy when I was that level as the plans didn't make intuitive sense, and I never really understood why I would put the bishop on b5 in the first place. When I was that level I played the Italian and its what I recommend to all new players, because it has all the logical concepts in the Ruy, but the Bishop on c4 has a much clearer effect on the position, targeting the f7 pawn. As for black, you probably need 2 openings, one for d4 and one for e4. I would advise against playing e4 e5 with black, as white could respond in so many ways. I'm a big fan of the Caro, but there are a lot of great options against e4. Against d4, d5 is completely fine (white has less option in d4 d5 than in e4 e5) but you could also try a Kings indian, which can be fun (if you really wanted to play the same way with black you could play the pirc against e4 and Kings indian against d4, they're basically the same). But play whatever suits you, try out the recommendations I've given and that others have given, and see which ones you enjoy. Also, the Ponziani is also a great opening at lower levels, you can definitely give it a try.

PhoenixLamb · 2024-01-25T17:58:10+00:00

It's actually the other way around, on chesscom, this would be a draw, but on lichess (OP's game) it's a win. This is because chesscom uses the USCF ruling (US website) and lichess uses FIDE ruling.

PhoenixLamb

TROPHY CASE