The basic scheme is to play 1.e4 followed by Nc3 and Nf3, with some exceptions.ġ.e4 e5 2.Nf3 (or 2.Nc3 first) 2.Nc6 (2.Nf6 3.Nc3!) 3.Nc3Ī super-solid choice that has a lot to teach developing players. To some extent, I set this repertoire forth as a guide for myself to know what future opening articles I might write upon my return to blogging in January. I have also offered eight book suggestions (which I've tried to hone to the absolute minimum) and links to material from my own archives. I have never seen anyone suggest such a system (though Andrew Martin's ' Repertoire Suggestions' at ChessPublishing come close), and so I thought I'd sketch it out for interested readers. It is also so solid that it will give your opponents nightmares trying to beat you. I think I have hit upon something rather original lately, which I like to call my 'Knightmare Repertoire' due to its emphasis on early Knight development with Nc3 and Nf3 as White or Nc6 and Nf6 as Black. Of course, I have never followed all of their recommendations, prefering to pick and choose to construct my own system, which is a project with no end.

I have collected many repertoire books over the years and I enjoy seeing the way these guides try to create coherent systems out of the morass of opening theory we confront as chessplayers.

Black knights tango