(2019) Smithy's Calculus: Picking an Opening for Black

(Note: This was originally written in 2019, and my thinking has changed quite a bit on this topic.  Nevertheless, it was the most popular blog post in terms of views, so I am reproducing it in full and will write an update in the future!

Unfortunately, the original post had all the data in tables, which formatted very poorly when I copy-pasted it to blogger.  I've used screenshots instead, which isn't ideal but better than nothing.  Let me know if it is readable, and if not, I'll try to find a better way.)

Picking an Opening as Black: Smithy’s Calculus

At a certain point, almost every player has asked, “Which opening should I play?” Now, I’m on record stating that too many players spend far too much time on the opening, but you have to put SOME work here. Getting an opening repertoire isn’t a bad thing, as long as you don’t make it your only thing.

So, how do we chose? What should we look for?

I fell into my first openings by default; they were what everyone else I knew played. I then tried different openings at random, with some successes here and there but mostly poor results. ‘Random’ isn’t the best approach, but what is?

Well, I think I’ve found, if not the answer, then at least the right way to attempt to answer this question. The following is kind of like online dating, but with openings. You figure out what your priorities are, and then you find which one is your best match.

I’ve settled on a number of factors that can influence openings, which are explained below, and then ranked every major opening. The end result is a fairly reasonable guide to choosing openings, I think, and I found it eye-opening.

First Post! Welcome!

 Smithy's blog has been reborn!

After a nearly three-year hiatus, I have returned to blogging.  I shuttered my previous blog over a perceived lack of interest.  Years have passed, and I still get comments every few months, someone inquiring about my blog and wondering what happened.  Well, if people want to hear what I think about chess, I'm not gonna stop you!

I exported all my old blog posts, but they appear to have been lost when my old computer crashed.  A few have survived here and there.  I plan to import what I have and then start producing new content as my schedule allows.  For those that do not know, I recently became a lawyer, and though it demands a lot of time, it so far doesn't demand all of it.  Might as well spend some of that extra time on a game I love.

If you are an old reader, welcome back, and know that you are responsible for me writing this!  I would never have never returned without the many nice comments I've received from people like you.  And if you're new, welcome as well!  Hopefully you get something out if it, and let's all get better at this great game together.

-- Smithy