The opening refers to the beginning of a game, specifically the strategy and tactics involved in making the initial deployments and early moves that set the tone for the rest of the game and constrain future decisions.
25
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7answers
1k views
How important is memorizing chess openings in casual play?
I've played chess since I was kid and after much practice have become a decent player. I still though, have little strategy to my opening moves besides starting with a King's Pawn Game. I know ...
25
votes
3answers
778 views
Is castling still done in the openings in modern chess?
I have read in a somewhat old book that castling was to be done as soon as possible, but some of my playing friends don't bother to do it in the opening. What's the modern usage?
24
votes
4answers
582 views
Why is it of high importance to control the center of the board in Chess?
One reason for this is that from the center of the board, your pieces
have quicker access to the other parts of the board. Another is that
your pieces often attack a larger number of squares. What ...
15
votes
7answers
7k views
What is a good opening in Blokus?
I have played Blokus enough times to get a feel for the game and one thing that always bugs me is how to play the first few moves. There seem to be a couple of competing aims:
Get rid of big, ...
14
votes
11answers
567 views
How to reduce slow starts at the beginning of the game?
We recently played a game of Settlers of Catan where for the first 3 rounds none of us got any brick at all, so there was no road construction at all and it dragged a little. I'm not looking to reduce ...
13
votes
2answers
134 views
Honinbo 1970, match 1: Why does white need to play toward the edge here?
People may remember this game from Strategtic Concepts of Go by Nagahara.
$$ ---------------------------------------
$$|. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$|. . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
13
votes
1answer
407 views
Khet opening set-ups
What are the different merits of the Khet opening set-ups - Classic, Imhotep & Dynasty?
12
votes
2answers
262 views
When is it advisable to take Blue cards in the first age in Seven Wonders?
I've played several games of Seven Wonders now, and I'm still figuring out a lot of the strategy. I've learned that every card has its place and advantages, but the one group of cards that seems most ...
10
votes
4answers
294 views
New idea in Sicilian for white?
I was wondering if someone could explain why this may be bad for white. Engines say white is a 0.5 of a pawn down after this line, but other than stunted development, I do not see a clear way in which ...
10
votes
1answer
156 views
What should be considered in constructing a balanced team of investigators?
I haven't played much Arkham Horror, but from what I've seen it's important to have a balanced team of investigators. What key attributes need to be represented by the team as a whole to have at least ...
10
votes
2answers
343 views
Opening strategies in Chess 960 (Fisher Random Chess)
I had a go at Chess 960 the other day, but whereas I thought I might do better against the computer as it didn't have an opening book, in fact the opposite happened as it quickly found holes in my ...
9
votes
5answers
399 views
Accepting Queen's Gambit
Why is it considered a disadvantage to accept Queen's Gambit? How should I play to take advantage of an accepted Queen's Gambit?
(All online guides I've seen simply state not to do it, but don't ...
9
votes
4answers
360 views
In Chess, Why Does Black Sometimes Play “Cramped” Openings?
I'm referring to openings such as d6 (Pirc Defense) or e6 (French Defense) in answer to say, e4. These openings often make it more difficult to develop pieces than say, c5 or e5. In particular, the ...
9
votes
2answers
331 views
What is the name of the following chess opening? What are its pros and cons?
At some point, when I was young, I learned an opening that involves the following moves: possibly after moving queen's pawn to the centre (d4), move out king's knight to above the bishop (Nf3), move ...
9
votes
3answers
788 views
Advice for responding to “Kwabang” attack when playing Japan?
When playing Axis & Allies as Japan I occasionally have an opponent use the "Kwabang" opening against me, which is where UK attacks Kwangtung on her opening move with the two infantry and fighter ...
9
votes
4answers
123 views
Game from 1978: Why does this fuseki position favor black?
$$ ---------------------------------------
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . . |
$$ | . . . , O . . . . ...
9
votes
2answers
388 views
In Chess what is the Queens or Kings Indian?
In Chess what is the Queens or Kings Indian, and why might it be useful?
8
votes
4answers
429 views
Are there any reputable chess openings which begin a4, b4, g4, or h4?
I have heard of 1 b3 and 1 g3, but never any of those in the question title. Is this because they do not work in practical play?
I've tried 1. g4 d5 2. h3 e5 3. d4 Nc6 etc. with a good chance of a ...
8
votes
3answers
185 views
What is the best first development to purchase in Roll Through the Ages?
Played my first 4 player game of Roll Through the Ages official last night. I've played the solo game quite a bit but I quickly discovered that the multiplayer game plays a bit differently!
What ...
8
votes
4answers
188 views
How to handle handicap as white?
I found it very difficult to handle handicap when my opponent is given 6 or more stones. I don't really like to force something complex when I know it could be severely punished.
The good way to ...
8
votes
3answers
6k views
Axis & Allies - Opening strategies for the U.K.
I haven't played Axis & Allies in a while, and I'm currently getting my butt handed to me in an online match (partly due to a failed Kwabang attack).
I've got what I feel is a solid grip on ...
8
votes
1answer
218 views
Good opening questions for Adventurers in Are You the Traitor?
Many people complain, when they first try Are You the Traitor?, that they don't know where to start; a lot of people will just sit there and think about it, without saying anything, or will ...
7
votes
4answers
798 views
What is a good opening for Go on a 13x13 board?
I have been playing a lot of Go recently at lunch but we are playing on a 13x13 board instead of a 19x19. I can't seem to ever win! I am beginning to think that my opening is leaving me in a bad ...
7
votes
1answer
226 views
What chess-opening does this cat play
I just saw this funny cat video where the cat gets beaten in chess by a trick opening. It is not the well known fool's mate, but I guess it is a famous opening too. Can anyone identify the opening ...
7
votes
2answers
289 views
In Go, Why are “High Point” Openings Seldom Seen in Modern Play?
I'm talking about opening with the "high point" of a "shimari, such as the 3-5 or 4-5 point.
The disadvantage is that it allows the opponent to enter near the corner, such as the corresponding 3-4 ...
7
votes
1answer
172 views
Are there names for checkers openings?
I have never heard of one; but I don't know where to look to make sure. This is something I've been wondering for a long time!
5
votes
2answers
551 views
In Settlers of Catan, what seat position is the best for odds of recieving any resource?
If you use the standard rules, where the number tokens are laid out on the board in a pattern (small letters are below the pips), which seating position has the greatest odds of receiving the most ...
5
votes
1answer
3k views
What is the correct opening move in mancala when you go first in a 6 hole per side board?
Obviously the first thing you want to do is get the bonus turn. But I'm confused after that. You don't want to do your 4th hole from the left because that would allow your opponent to get 2 bonus ...
5
votes
1answer
444 views
Solid openings for Blitz Chess
Is there an accepted repertoire of openings that are solid in Blitz (3-5min per side) Chess? I guess the primary factors should be:
reasonably solid
simple structures
minimal number of tactical ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
In Axis and Allies, Should the U.S. Build a “Factory” in Brazil?
In Axis and Allies (original version), the basically maritime powers, the US and UK have a problem coming to grips with the land-based Axis. One solution is for them to buy industrial complexes in ...
5
votes
1answer
266 views
What different opening strategy exist when playing Quatro?
I enjoy very much playing Quatro, as I find that the small board, small set of pieces and symmetry. However, I am at loss in playing the beginning of the game anyway other than randomly. Because the ...
4
votes
3answers
256 views
Good first leads in sheepshead
In most trick-taking card games when you have a strong hand (as the bidder should in sheepshead) it's good to lead with high cards to retain control. However, in sheepshead players tend to hold on to ...
4
votes
2answers
306 views
Best opening in Hansa Teutonica?
What opening move do you prefer in Hansa Teutonica with 3, 4, or 5 players?
3
votes
2answers
267 views
In chess, why is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 rarely visited?
This opening begins by copying the Ruy Lopez/Morphy Defense for the first three moves, but White branches off with 4 Bxc6. I've read that 4 ... dxc6 5 Nxe5 Qd4 is effective for Black to recover his ...
3
votes
7answers
877 views
Strategies and kingdom cards for a strong opening in Dominion?
Dominion is a game of widely varying strategies and paths toward victory. But the most important part of any winning strategy is a strong opening.
How can I tell if a kingdom card is a good opening ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
In Axis and Allies, Should Germany build a first turn transport and try and control the Med/Africa?
When playing Germany in A&A 2nd Edition, is it a feasible strategy for Germany to buy a Italian transport on the first turn, for the purposes of cementing Germany's Mediterranean naval presence ...
3
votes
2answers
143 views
In Bridge, Is it Sometimes Good to Lead an Opponent's Suit on Defense?
I was "West," that is, the opening leader. My left and right hand opponents had alternated diamond and spade bids, neither supporting the other, suggesting something like 6-1 misfits in both suits ...
2
votes
2answers
190 views
Can the U.S. Open With an Air-based Strategy in Allies and Axis?
In Axis and Allies, the U.S. starts with the largest number of IPCs, and also has the furthest to go to reach the main battlefields. These conditions both suggest the use of strategies using ...
2
votes
1answer
45 views
Should a temple always be built on turn 2 in Antike?
I played my first game of Antike with 5 other people. Everyone but me started at Marble, then paid one resource on the next turn to jump to Temple. Having never played before, I went another way, ...
2
votes
1answer
275 views
In Axis and Allies, When (and How) Would You Adjust Your Opening Strategy?
Most AA players have a preferred strategy. But not every player gets to go first. Meaning that the later going players may have to adjust their strategies, based on what has gone on before. Or do ...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Should you ever deploy your blank at a position other than an edge?
During the deployment step, should you ever place your Blank Epigon at any location other than an edge?
Ultimately, in this game you want to push off 3 of your opponents pieces and prevent your ...
