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What is the best opening for players below 1300 ELO?

#21

The best opening is the one that bests you! :D

For 1300, I like any opening that keeps control of the space. Classical 1.d4 d5 or 1.e4 e5 tend to do that pretty well. The lichess database suggests that u1400s favor the Italian.

The best opening is the one that bests you! :D For 1300, I like any opening that keeps control of the space. Classical 1.d4 d5 or 1.e4 e5 tend to do that pretty well. The lichess database suggests that u1400s favor the Italian.
#22

I personally use the 4 knight game Italy variation a lot. It's problem not the best but I like it none the less.

I personally use the 4 knight game Italy variation a lot. It's problem not the best but I like it none the less.
#23

"... For players with very limited experience, I recommend using openings in which the play can be clarified at an early stage, often with a degree of simplification. To accomplish this safely will take a little study, because you will have to get used to playing with open lines for both sides' pieces, but you can't eliminate risk entirely in the opening anyway. ... teachers all over the world suggest that inexperienced players begin with 1 e4. ... You will undoubtedly see the reply 1 ... e5 most often when playing at or near a beginner's level, ... After 2 Nf3, 2 ... Nc6 will occur in the bulk of your games. ... I recommend taking up the classical and instructive move 3 Bc4 at an early stage. Then, against 3 ... Bc5, it's thematic to try to establish the ideal centre by 4 c3 and 5 d4; after that, things can get complicated enough that you need to take a look at some theory and learn the basics; ... Of course, you can also play 1 d4 ... A solid and more-or-less universal set-up is 2 Nf3 and 3 Bf4, followed in most cases by 4 e3, 5 Be2 and 6 0-0. I'd rather see my students fight their way through open positions instead; however, if you're not getting out of the opening alive after 1 e4, this method of playing 1 d4 deserves consideration. ... a commonly suggested 'easy' repertoire for White with 1 Nf3 and the King's Indian Attack ... doesn't lead to an open game or one with a clear plan for White. Furthermore, it encourages mechanical play. Similarly, teachers sometimes recommend the Colle System ..., which can also be played too automatically, and usually doesn't lead to an open position. For true beginners, the King's Indian Attack and Colle System have the benefit of offering a safe position that nearly guarantees passage to some kind of playable middlegame; they may be a reasonable alternative if other openings are too intimidating. But having gained even a small amount of experience, you really should switch to more open and less automatic play. ... As Black, I think that [players with very limited experience] would do well ... playing 1...e5 versus 1 e4 and 1...d5 versus 1 d4. ... [After 1 d4 d5, if] White plays the most important move, 2 c4, inexperienced players might want to begin classically with 2...e6 followed by ...Nf6 and ...Be7 ..." - IM John Watson in a section of his 2010 book, Mastering the Chess Openings, Volume 4

"... For players with very limited experience, I recommend using openings in which the play can be clarified at an early stage, often with a degree of simplification. To accomplish this safely will take a little study, because you will have to get used to playing with open lines for both sides' pieces, but you can't eliminate risk entirely in the opening anyway. ... teachers all over the world suggest that inexperienced players begin with 1 e4. ... You will undoubtedly see the reply 1 ... e5 most often when playing at or near a beginner's level, ... After 2 Nf3, 2 ... Nc6 will occur in the bulk of your games. ... I recommend taking up the classical and instructive move 3 Bc4 at an early stage. Then, against 3 ... Bc5, it's thematic to try to establish the ideal centre by 4 c3 and 5 d4; after that, things can get complicated enough that you need to take a look at some theory and learn the basics; ... Of course, you can also play 1 d4 ... A solid and more-or-less universal set-up is 2 Nf3 and 3 Bf4, followed in most cases by 4 e3, 5 Be2 and 6 0-0. I'd rather see my students fight their way through open positions instead; however, if you're not getting out of the opening alive after 1 e4, this method of playing 1 d4 deserves consideration. ... a commonly suggested 'easy' repertoire for White with 1 Nf3 and the King's Indian Attack ... doesn't lead to an open game or one with a clear plan for White. Furthermore, it encourages mechanical play. Similarly, teachers sometimes recommend the Colle System ..., which can also be played too automatically, and usually doesn't lead to an open position. For true beginners, the King's Indian Attack and Colle System have the benefit of offering a safe position that nearly guarantees passage to some kind of playable middlegame; they may be a reasonable alternative if other openings are too intimidating. But having gained even a small amount of experience, you really should switch to more open and less automatic play. ... As Black, I think that [players with very limited experience] would do well ... playing 1...e5 versus 1 e4 and 1...d5 versus 1 d4. ... [After 1 d4 d5, if] White plays the most important move, 2 c4, inexperienced players might want to begin classically with 2...e6 followed by ...Nf6 and ...Be7 ..." - IM John Watson in a section of his 2010 book, Mastering the Chess Openings, Volume 4
#24

@kindaspongey said in #23:

For true beginners, the King's Indian Attack and Colle System have the benefit of offering a safe position that nearly guarantees passage to some kind of playable middlegame; they may be a reasonable alternative if other openings are too intimidating. But having gained even a small amount of experience, you really should switch to more open and less automatic play.

I really don't understand the hype about the Colle system and similar systems. As pointed out above, the only "benefit" of these is that they offer "safe" positions. But I don't think that it's necessarily beneficial. As a beginner(and later on as well) you need to make mistakes in order to improve. In an open game you will lose some games, if you neglect King safety, development, central control,... . Closed openings tend to be more forgiving, so you take away learning opportunities for yourself.

If one considers a "best opening" to be the one that scores best at a certain level. Maybe these systems might be good, but even here you are mainly playing to not loose early. More ambitious options will likely yield more winning chances...

In contrast to that, I'd consider a "best opening"(which in general doesn't really exist), to be sound, ambitious, logical and providing a lot of learning opportunities.

I think for beginners as white, the following are great choices:
Italian, Scotch, open Sicilian(you don't need much theory, just don't take the Knight on c6 immediately), exchange french/caro-kann(just don't block your c-pawn with an early Nb1-c3)

@kindaspongey said in #23: > For true beginners, the King's Indian Attack and Colle System have the benefit of offering a safe position that nearly guarantees passage to some kind of playable middlegame; they may be a reasonable alternative if other openings are too intimidating. But having gained even a small amount of experience, you really should switch to more open and less automatic play. I really don't understand the hype about the Colle system and similar systems. As pointed out above, the only "benefit" of these is that they offer "safe" positions. But I don't think that it's necessarily beneficial. As a beginner(and later on as well) you need to make mistakes in order to improve. In an open game you will lose some games, if you neglect King safety, development, central control,... . Closed openings tend to be more forgiving, so you take away learning opportunities for yourself. If one considers a "best opening" to be the one that scores best at a certain level. Maybe these systems might be good, but even here you are mainly playing to not loose early. More ambitious options will likely yield more winning chances... In contrast to that, I'd consider a "best opening"(which in general doesn't really exist), to be sound, ambitious, logical and providing a lot of learning opportunities. I think for beginners as white, the following are great choices: Italian, Scotch, open Sicilian(you don't need much theory, just don't take the Knight on c6 immediately), exchange french/caro-kann(just don't block your c-pawn with an early Nb1-c3)
#25

Open games or open Sicilian are often feared because they tend to lead to open positions and sharper tactical play where it is easy to slip. On the other hand, this can be seen as an advantage for lower level players who are still in the "purely tactical" phase of their chess development. On this level, it is unlikely that their opponent would be proficient in deep and wide opening theory and facing such sharper tactical positions is the best way to improve what you need most at this stage. It is more practical to do it while facing opponents who also lack the experience. I have seen multiple very strong players who expressed their regret that they switched to 1. d4 and closed games too early, only to find much later that they miss this early experience with open games - but at the stage where it would be much harder and more painful to get it because their opponents were already way too ahead in this area.

Which is why I agree with the opinion that Italian or Scotch can be a very good choice in the beginning and that there is little reason to avoid 1... e5 at this stage. You can surely expect some quick and painful losses but there is a good chance your opponents will just as often. And if you are able to learn from your mistakes, those horrible losses will be less frequent soon enough.

Open games or open Sicilian are often feared because they tend to lead to open positions and sharper tactical play where it is easy to slip. On the other hand, this can be seen as an advantage for lower level players who are still in the "purely tactical" phase of their chess development. On this level, it is unlikely that their opponent would be proficient in deep and wide opening theory and facing such sharper tactical positions is the best way to improve what you need most at this stage. It is more practical to do it while facing opponents who also lack the experience. I have seen multiple very strong players who expressed their regret that they switched to 1. d4 and closed games too early, only to find much later that they miss this early experience with open games - but at the stage where it would be much harder and more painful to get it because their opponents were already way too ahead in this area. Which is why I agree with the opinion that Italian or Scotch can be a very good choice in the beginning and that there is little reason to avoid 1... e5 at this stage. You can surely expect some quick and painful losses but there is a good chance your opponents will just as often. And if you are able to learn from your mistakes, those horrible losses will be less frequent soon enough.
#26

Below 1300 players likely wouldn't be able to properly understand any opening given to them (I would know. I was 1300 just last year). So the most productive suggestion would be to play a bunch of openings and stick with whatever is most comfortable.

...Although if I had to give an exact suggestion, I would say the Colle. Players at that level won't be able to challenge it properly, so you can expect a comfortable position. Furthermore, it will likely enrage opponents to see you set up a little triangle without adhering to opening principles that they themselves probably don't properly understand, which may induce inaccuracies and blunders. Also, the basic idea of it (break with e4 & attack on the kingside) is about as basic as it gets.

Below 1300 players likely wouldn't be able to properly understand any opening given to them (I would know. I was 1300 just last year). So the most productive suggestion would be to play a bunch of openings and stick with whatever is most comfortable. ...Although if I had to give an exact suggestion, I would say the Colle. Players at that level won't be able to challenge it properly, so you can expect a comfortable position. Furthermore, it will likely enrage opponents to see you set up a little triangle without adhering to opening principles that they themselves probably don't properly understand, which may induce inaccuracies and blunders. Also, the basic idea of it (break with e4 & attack on the kingside) is about as basic as it gets.

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