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Questions tagged [preparation]

The practice of putting something together before a chess game or tournament into a state where it is ready for action. Preparation is usually used in reference to openings, as one can "prepare an opening repertoire" specifically for an opponent.

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Are computers destroying chess?

These days I have been watching the candidates tournament, and I couldn't avoid noticing that players are reeling/scared of computer home preparation "a little bit too much". For example: 1) In the game Anand vs Kramnik (round 4), Kramnik at the…
dreamcrash
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How to play against higher rated (much stronger) players

I am about to play a master. This is an important game, and I want to win it. What should I do and how to prepare? Is there something special I can do, such as special openings, sharp lines, etc.?
Slobo Janjić
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(For training purposes) Are there any openings with rook pawns that are more effective than others (and if so, what are they)?

(Originally I hoped a lengthy prologue would not be needed here, but some of the answers and comments have led me to write one so that the purpose of the question is clear, thus this is now much longer.) When my child was around six or seven years…
GreenMatt
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How does opening preparation work at GM level?

From what I can gather, one studies what the opponent has been playing, and prepare responses for their favourite lines. The problem is, there's no guarantee the opponent will play a given opening. For example, suppose I'm playing against Kramnik…
Allure
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How can I build my opening repertoire and memorization?

I have been playing chess for the last two years. I am trying techniques like controlling the center, not allowing weak pawn structure, etc. Now I am trying to build up an opening repertoire. My question is where to start? Which openings should be…
Ren
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Seconds of Magnus Carlsen

Has it been revealed who helped Magnus Carlsen in preparing and during the World Chess Championship against Karjakin?
user1583209
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How to prepare for an opponent

How does one prepare for an opponent (OTB or Online)? Do you go through recent games? How far do you normally go back? Would certain factors about an opponent dictate how you prepare for them?
xaisoft
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Can I ask to see other players' score sheets between tournament rounds?

Suppose I'm in the middle of a multi-day tournament, and pairings have been posted for the next round. Can I request (i.e. request from a TD) to see the submitted score sheets of my opponent from his past rounds during the tournament, for example to…
Thomas Johnson
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Empirical question: Is a drawish opening line really a concern for an ambitious player?

While similar questions have been asked before and many comments were given, I couldn't find a thread dealing with my particular experiences. So: Whenever I discuss openings with professional and even with semi-professional players the issue…
Durtal
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Computers finding computer moves

There are positions in chess where the only good move (e.g. only move that preserves equality) is very unnatural for a human player. For instance if this move goes against common principles or if it opens the king to a potential attack, a human…
user1583209
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Good online database, or do I need ChessBase?

I just bought a premium account at chessbase.com, including full access to tools like the Live Database. I have to say, I'm a little bit disappointed by the features they provide. My question is, is there a better online analysis/preparation tool…
Ropez
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Does memorizing chess games improve chess ability?

It is common for strong chess players to have chess games in memory. Is this because it helps to memorize chess games?
CognisMantis
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Can deep preparation for the early novelty be useful?

As far as I know, most novelties at top-level games happen near moves 10 to 15. Before that, players just follow the lines, deeply knowing several best moves that lead to reasonable variations. But what if one of the players spends a lot of time at…
Ivan Smirnov
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How long does it take to use opening preparation at top level?

A ChessBase report for the ongoing Cairns Cup gives this paragraph: The first game to finish was Humpy Koneru versus Ju Wenjun. Out of an English Opening, Humpy quickly found herself out of book with the white pieces. The Indian was on the back…
Allure
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Does swapping the colors of the squares affect the gameplay?

If for example, the bottom-left square is light instead of dark AND we place the queens in their colors: By affect I mean psychologically, etc., because it is pretty obvious that everything you can do in a normal board will also be possible to do…
ajax333221
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