Managing the opening file
In short
A professional opening file must be maintainable: clear chapter structure, comments on plans, and markers for critical lines to revise before tournaments. Without structure, files grow until nobody — including you — can use them.
By the end you can
- Keep a maintainable, searchable file
- Revise before events
The lesson
A professional opening file must be maintainable: clear chapter structure, comments on plans, and markers for critical lines to revise before tournaments. Without structure, files grow until nobody — including you — can use them.
Before each event, revise only the lines likely to appear, using quick drills. The app’s repertoire trainer is ideal for this short-term memory work.
Key points to remember
- Structure by chapters and key positions
- Mark critical lines
- Targeted revision before events
Examples
Homework
Reorganise one file chapter and drill it with the repertoire trainer.
More openings lessons
- Three golden opening rules (Novice)
- Scholar’s mate and how to stop it (Novice)
- Italian Game: plans, not just moves (Class F)
- Answering 1.d4: the Queen’s Gambit Declined (Class F)
- Meeting the Sicilian with 2.c3 (Class E)
- From moves to structures (Class D)