Hi, I'm a Raeth and I'm addicted to the Beginner's Game.
"HI RAETH!"
I've played a ton of games with the Beginner's Game over an extended period of time (on many different CC sites and on FICS) and I've discovered that it is a solid opening with the following advantages:
1) It can be played against any opening the opponent uses. 2) It can be played either as White or Black. 3) You are guaranteed to reach the middle game with a solid defense at the very least (it cannot be refuted).
Unfortunately though, I have come to realize that the above advantages actually turn out to be disadvantages in the long run.
1) Being able to virtually ignore an opponent's opening teaches nothing about true opening theory; the advanced levels of chess are not then ultimately learned.
2) Being able to get to the middlegame with "at least a solid defense" isn't necessarily saying much (see details below).
The major disadvantage of the Beginner's Game however is the loss of tempo. White loses 2 tempo because of the double fianchetto and Black loses a full 3 tempo (being one down from the start).
An experienced player will take the 2-3 tempo and shut down any solid hope for the strong attacks that the Beginner's Game will normally generate against players that are not as strong.
The real problem therefore is that there is very little that the player of the Beginner's Game can do to stop the tempo advantage and so it comes down to basically hoping your opponent kind of sucks or being forced to have your attacking chances nullified while your opponent begins to press a very strong attack of his choosing (to which you can only defend and never really attack back much).
I would kind of like to make this a treatise rich with specific lines and examples but instead I will just share what I have found to be a much stronger opening for White and Black, that I think Beginner's Game fans will like:
I have found the Colle system (for White) to be very attractive with moves that cannot be stopped and consistently bring a very strong defense and excellent attacking chances with good chances for tempo GAIN instead of just tempo RECOVERY.
For Black I have found the London system to be a very strong defensive opening that can quickly become an offensive monster and does not waste tempo. I am also studying the Queen's Indian Defense and the Kingston Defense.
I just thought I would share this since I am a recovering Beginner's Game addict.
Playing anything consistently is a good idea for a beginner, you learn a lot about that opening, even if it is just about the weaknesses of it. If you stick with something you have the potential to know more about that opening than your opponent to gain an edge. And if you find you are consistently losing and figure out why you can hunt for an opening that better suits.
Yes, there is no doubt that I am very familiar with the Beginner's Game. I do gain an excellent edge and attack development against the unprepared/inexperienced opponent; and you are right I can spot it right off when they are inexperienced.
My problem with it is really I guess more with White and throwing away 2 tempo to Black. An experienced Black player can shut me down and make my game boring and its just not necessary.
You are also right that I have learned certain chess tactics that are peculiar to this opening system which is a small benefit.
I think I'm ready for more control and influence in how the game unfolds as opposed to the rigid (and seemingly defenseless loss of tempo) "hope for the best and take it with a smile" approach of the Beginner's Game (otherwise known as "Gosh I hope this guy is a passive/uneducated player and lets my opening develop").
