Harmonica wrote:Yes.

So how is this then.

The Sicilian defense makes black statistically strong against e4 openings, while white still has the overall edge due to d4?

That more correct?

Hapless_Hans wrote:

Harmonica wrote:Yes.

So how is this then.

The Sicilian defense makes black statistically strong against e4 openings, while white still has the overall edge due to d4?

That more correct?

White has statistical edge with e4.

http://www.becomeawordgameexpert.com/stats.htm

Damn. The Sicilian defense isn't as strong as I thought I remembered reading.

Are you any good? Stupid question, read: Do you play a lot? Online? Real life? Have you learned it in a club etc?

Some, not a lot. I know theory very well, but never bothered learning enough openings which you need to advance.

Yeah. I played as a kid and then not for a long time. Now I play again with friends who are similarly amateurish but against good, or schooled, players my lack of internalized openings will always hurt me.

It's really bothersome to play advanced player because the opening. Even most of top GM's ever are known for their "opening scouting", brute forcing different variations with other GM's trying to get an edge for a single match. I think chess stops then being a game of mind.

Do you watch chess? Although I don't play anymore much, I still watch a lot of chess on youtube, it's pretty good/interesting learning platform.

Nah. I watched a bit of the last two World Championships.
Other than that, I can't focus my attention. I'll try that youtube tip though, thanks.
That's also why I have a hard time playing a computer, I lack thinking discipline when I'm not sitting there facing somebody.

I think I even play better the longer my opponent takes to think because I'm forced to use that time too

I won't get any substantially better because I don't make the committment. It's great fun though.

That's true, can't play computer without instamoving, with a person it's easier. And I also watch only about 6-10 min videos, seldomly longer. If you're interested there a lot good chess channels on youtube that show old games, new games, own games without them being too long.

https://www.youtube.com/user/MatoJelic
https://www.youtube.com/user/kingscrusher

If you could pm me the one or two channels you like best I'd be much obliged, I do have developed SOME ambition to get better again recently

edit: Thanks!

wow!! deisler, totally forgot about him....injuries can be so cruel

if Inesta was a chess piece what would he be?

billy_gr wrote:if Inesta was a chess piece what would he be?

Bishop at best

benzema would be a pawn
ronaldos pawn

dat diagonal runs

What a lad.

Guess who was mom

Pirloisjesus wrote:Guess who was mom

Messi (:

jibers wrote:

Pirloisjesus wrote:Guess who was mom

Messi (:

not funny bro really not funny

Someone explain to me in depth why Barca's midfield has been subpar for the last 2 seasons ever since Xavi's role was reduced. Where is Iniesta who's supposedly the best in his position to dictate the tempo, control the game & create chances like Xavi did for over a decade. Busquets too for that matter. Why are Barca suffering their worst ever defeats since pre-Pep & why are they getting dominated by the likes of Celta & Bilbao?

Are these two actually as good as advertised or have Xavi & Messi just made them look far better than they actually are.

I've heard Barca fans blame Fabregas for years but the problems still remain long after his departure.

Yet when it mattered nobody could dominate them.

Treble winners and you still searching lol.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Yet when it mattered nobody could dominate them.

Treble winners and you still searching lol.

Eh? Madrid & Bayern both dominated them. Messi & co were just too good last season.

Gil wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Yet when it mattered nobody could dominate them.

Treble winners and you still searching lol.

Eh? Madrid & Bayern both dominated them. Messi & co were just too good last season.

After winning the treble many fanboys are trying to give credit to non-factors. Iniesta last season was a non-factor. And don't come to me with his defensive work, if it hadn't for Messi and Nerman they wouldn't have gone past R16.

Gil wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Yet when it mattered nobody could dominate them.

Treble winners and you still searching lol.

Eh? Madrid & Bayern both dominated them. Messi & co were just too good last season.

Madrid only dominated them when Mascherano was in midfield , once Busquets came on they completely controlled the game and created loads.

As for Bayern, the only time Bayern got any sort of control was when they were like 4 goals down

Valkyrja wrote:

Gil wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Yet when it mattered nobody could dominate them.

Treble winners and you still searching lol.

Eh? Madrid & Bayern both dominated them. Messi & co were just too good last season.

After winning the treble many fanboys are trying to give credit to non-factors. Iniesta last season was a non-factor. And don't come to me with his defensive work, if it hadn't for Messi and Nerman they wouldn't have gone past R16.

Non factor when he was great in every CL KO? seems legit.

I'm no fanboy, i'm just not a blind hater like you two are. Quite the difference.

I am about up there with Gil, very disappointed in Iniesta in the past couple of seasons

Barca made us look in form when we played them in March. Best football we'd played since the Clasico in November and we were pretty awful in March

Busquets can't control pass from 2 yards let alone a midfield battle against us

They have Suarez and Iker to thank for their win. I am pretty sure if we'd played in the final Barca would've made us look like we were in form again and the best we'd played since March and in turn since November all against the same opposition

Please spare me the bs. Busquets is crap. Iniesta has been in decline for a while, he needs someone talented as his back up