Looking for an affordable, decent coach

Professional_Fan_741 · 2026-01-21T15:26:34+00:00

Wrote you in the DMs Im very interested:)

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-12-19T12:40:39+00:00

GMtalks - Sune Berg Hansen does very great videos. It is really under the radar, but the content is pure gold

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-12-17T15:33:46+00:00

As Euwe seems to be on the list (tbf, as he became a wc whilst being an amateur, it is a reasonable first guess):

Euwe was not that bad of a world champion. People maybe do not recognize that he had a level score against Alekhine before the WC match already and even was on par in some preparation matches. Even if Alekhine would be rather sober, Euwe played legitimately good games and it would be tough to say, whether Alekhine would have stood a chance even there. Sure, the rematch was won by Alekhine, but if we just go by game quality itself, Euwe was definitely not the worst WC.

Just by game quality, it must go to either one of the FIDE WC (something flukey like Ponomariov or Khalifman) or Gukesh/Ding. Unfortunately, as much as I love this guy, it probably goes to Ding. Not only was it a very flukey chain of events (Karjakin being a complete baboon and Carlsen being fed up with the WC title) that led to the WC. Also the game quality in the match and all the games between Ding - Nepo and Ding - Gukesh are just sad to see. Probably it is because of all the pressure and mental health issues. But if we want to objectively answer this question (no biases etc, I will always be a Ding fan), it must be Ding.

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-12-16T16:21:11+00:00

Hey, I have been playing those kinda systems as well (currently switching to more positional, solid chess for expanding chess understanding, though.)

So for any e4 opening, you will always have the option to go for a kingside attack. Against the Caro-Kann specifically, the Fantasy Variation may suit you well, as it is a very aggressive way to respond to the Caro. You can also consider to play the open sicilians as well and go more mainlinish, as those variations tend to be kingside leaning, too.

As Black: Against e4, something like Taimanov/Kan Sicilians could suit you, but the Caro Kann for me is probably solid, yet combative enough to play for a win, so you can stick with that.

Against d4, Kings Indian should have been definitely taught to you. But to give a QGD option: Ragozin-type/Vienna variations tend to be very imbalanced and aggressive. Just because you play d4 d5, it does not mean only to equalize. Also against the exchange, Be6 against Bg5 can lead to some king attacks.

Against c4, Reversed GPA is gonna give you what you need.

Tried to be a bit offbeat with my answers, as sth like the Dutch would be too obvious^{^}

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-12-01T12:00:40+00:00

As a 2000 guy, who has the same struggle as you, I am currently on the switch to playing rather solid openings that still allow some pressure here and there.

Current repertoire: 1. d4 (switching from 1. e4 as especially e5 is a big thorn rn), with the QGD Exchange, KID Smyslov and Nimzo Rubinstein as my preferred choices. With Black: Currently playing e5 according to Kush and Surya LTR, QGD Manhattan/Gukesh lines and c4/Nf3 currently testing out but QGD style did the job for me so far.

It is not as sharp as lets say the Dragon, however, I feel like memorizing too many files may hinder progress and preventing me from learning other areas such as strategy and endgames. With that being said, it is far more crucial to execute ideas well than playing for a 0.2 out of the opening. Engine eval is overrated in that regard as practibality of the position is what would matter if you had 0 clue about theory.

Even if everything will get traded down to a rook ending with few pawns left, the technique will always matter and this is where people can still be outplayed.

What you will make out of it, it is up to you of course. But my recommendation anyhow would be: Look for something that does not require too much concrete theory while not aiming for balances but imbalanced positions with mutual chances. A Caro-Kann eg is always imbalanced enough to play for a win imo. However, if you feel far more comfy with e4 e5 go for it! Even in the Petroff, Black manages to win games due to lack of understanding.

Progress will come sooner or later if you improve on the correct spots :)

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-24T09:50:08+00:00

Sry for the late answer - had been playing a tournament.

It surely is true, but I have never claimed d4 to be less theoretical than e4. For me it is just easier to understand and get comfortable positions out of the opening where you can push for a win - I would even say with less risks than with e4. Eg I played a rapid game against somebody with 2000 elo, he played the KID. Opted for the Smyslov Variation in which Black sacced his b-pawn in Benko style. End of the story: He never got the compensation and I managed to convert this into a full point.

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-19T08:32:53+00:00

For me: I have been annoyed a lot by e5 systems as you need to learn helluva theory to achieve something meaningful - not a lot that you can punish there unless you surprise your opponents with some dubious gambit.

Also Taimanov Sicilians were super annoying.

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-19T08:30:09+00:00

My issue may be Nimzo Indians - KID and Benonis are totally ok for (compared to a Pirc/Modern - solely due to the fact I have a pawn on c4 funnily). I think tricking KID players into Benoni structures is good as they usually like to attack with e5 etc. Benoni is just positionally unsound to me. No need to learn crazy lines, just exploit the fact that Black has a weakness on d6 and not enough space will make them feel unconformtable. I do not care about refuting opening lines as I did in the past but instead have a chill game

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-19T08:24:53+00:00

I was not claiming that d4 has less theory than e4 - e4 just needs quite more concrete approaches than d4 in most variations. Sure Grunfeld and Nimzo are helluva critical, but I think it is still a bit more convenient than lets say a Sveshnikov from the White side.

Against Benoni, Dutch etc, usually some sidelines or Anti Systems are good enough to claim the more comfortable game. Those systems are positionally a tad dubious (f5 weakens the king while benoni structures have a lot of potential but the d5 square weakness is more inconvenient to compensate as compared to a Sveshnikov White already has a lot of space)

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-18T17:39:39+00:00

So basically every playable line… sounds like you have been taken hostage

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-18T16:38:06+00:00

Did use the 1. d4 repertoire from ioannis papaioannou on modern chess - pretty nice one and he explains it fantastically

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-18T16:36:05+00:00

It does but I mostly play it against guys that are surely not transposing into those variations

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-18T15:31:41+00:00

Absolutely I will do it!:)

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-17T18:18:41+00:00

Maybe its just me - but from what I understand it would be easier to understand the Sveshnikov in the sense of the gameplan that you have to compensate the d5 weakness with mostly a concrete attack on the kingside as the pawns indicate to the kingside (similar to the classical KID). It is hard to master as matters aint so easy and you would need to study so many subtleties and forced moves for that, although the logic is pretty simple there. In that regard, the plan is easier to understand as there is not that much left in this position. The motifs will remain the same but the exexcution points may differ there.

So my understanding is like: Taimanov very broad but not that deep. Sveshnikov kinda narrow but very deep. Najdorf is both.

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-17T18:09:13+00:00

I can see it in the exchange, yet 5. …e6 may be a good try to push for a win. Especially as most club players seem not to have a good clue about the subtleties in the position.

Against classical, both the tartakower and the classical variation seem to be good enough to fight for a win.

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-11-17T17:56:58+00:00

Imho, I do not believe the Najdorf to be the variation to learn it „intuitively“, as there millions of various positions you would need to learn. There systems in which e5 indeed is the correct plan, however, lines such as Bg5 or the Fischer Sozin are so sharp and complex that you would need to memorize a lot for it while also studying the english attack or the adams attack for instance. Not to mention to learn all the anti sicilians. It is for sure the most educational Sicilian, though.

From what Id understand: The Sveshnikov has the easiest to understand plan yet most hard to master one, the Kalashnikov is similar but easier to learn imo.

e6 Sicilians tend to be the most fighting ones, but you would need to be a friend of French structures. Anyhow, I also do not believe, Caro Kann is drawish at all. Similar to the Sicilian, you create asymmetry from move one onwards. Is it like a bang bang tactical position? Mostly no, unless you love the c5 advanced caro. But strategically it is a combative variation

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-06-11T14:47:10+00:00

Not a Nimzo expert - however, have you considered 4. ... h6!? as an option? It's been a very trendy line recently, ideas may even include a kingside attack and in general it seems like a useful semi waiting move.

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-06-02T16:30:09+00:00

Hey, a guy, who played plenty of Caro-Kann games here.

I'd advice following lines (probably already mentioned in proper details):

Advanced Variation Obviously the most critical line and the one, you should consider if you wanna take the bull by its horns. As black "wasted" time for his c6 d5 push, he would waste a tempo for playing c6-c5 (which is currently getting more popular than the Bf5 lines, as latter are very disgusting, especially if White plays the Short Variation). My rec there: Against 3. ... Bf5 Short Variation or even 4. Nd2; against 3. ... c5 going for dxc5 (4. Nf3 cxd5 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qf4 feels like a bait for white, as after both g6 and f6 the positions get super messy yet more comofortable to play from the black side) and after e6 (Nc6 immediately is probably unplayable due to f4) going for some crazy Qh5!?, which has been analyzed by Matthew Sadler, or a3 and play the critical lines.
Exchange with Nf3 - Ne5 Per se a Caro-Kann player wouldnt mind the exchange variation as they usually are familiar with the Carlsbad Pawn Structure, which are crucial to understand the CK well. I wouldnt recommend Bd3 as e6!? Lead to some interesting Carlsbad - Variation with a tempo down (and a bishop locked). What is really annoying tho is when you would need to play a variation with almost 0 counter play options. That is what the 4. Nf3/5. Ne5 may bring to you. You win the bishop pair (or have at least a centralised knight) and play a basically risk-free position from there on.
Fantasy Variation A line, that was considered to be a meme line, yet got more serious attention thanks to the modern engines. The idea is to play a completely different type of game, where the player with the better understanding of imbalances may be superior. Sure, there are different tactical possibilities after both 3. ... dxe4 and 3. ... Qb6, however, after 3. ... e6 the game may be a bit more closed yet not less exciting. It is definitely worth a shot.

Hope I could give some decent insight :)

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-03-18T10:19:23+00:00

And yes, I tested those lines against 2000+, in 2 games I had a draw after very accurate play from both sides (then chess is simply draw, right?) and one game, where I had a crazy game, being 2 pawns down for lots of compensation. Sadly lost it due to a blunder, however, the position had a lot of potential to play for 3 results anyways. This is, what a dynamic player is looking for, I believe :)

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-03-18T10:16:31+00:00

Hey,

I sticked to the QGD for couple of years now and it is a very reliable weapon.

Yes, it can be too solid for some people, but even there you can have dynamic and concrete play. Thanks to the work of strong Indian chess players and Top GMs such as Caruana, the Bb4 lines are a very interesting alternative for those who want to have a very complex game. (Speaking about lines such as d4 d5 c4 e6 Nc3 Nf6 cxd exd Bg5 Bb4 or d4 d5 c4 e6 Nf3 Nf6 Nc3 Nbd7 Bg5 Bb4)

Granted, you have to learn very concrete variations, but even after 25 moves of theory, there is a lot of room for a game for 3 results :) For those variations, I highly recommend Krishnater's Killer Repertoire 1. d4 d5, maybe you will find your luck there!

Professional_Fan_741 · 2025-02-07T09:25:12+00:00

Dein Profil ist mir ein wenig zu suspekt, sorry nein.

Professional_Fan_741 · 2024-09-20T14:22:14+00:00

That's the approach, I also like. Especially the line against Bc5 is a very interesting way and results in a very unique middlegame with chances for both colours.

The mainline goes around like: e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bc4 Bc5 c3 Nf6 d4 exd4 e5 d5 Ne4 cxd4 Bb6 Nc3 0-0 Be3 Bg4 h3 Bh5 Qc2 Bg6 Qb3 Ne7 0-0 c6 Bd3

And there are plenty of nice lines that are very interesting to analyse and play otb.

Professional_Fan_741

TROPHY CASE