My top 10 most frustrating checkers openings

[@josephmoore5949]

YES!! 11-15, 24-20, 15-18. Both Clayton and I also hate that opening. Seems it should be easy, but it is sneaky difficult. For some reason, logical moves many times doesn’t seem to work. I lose that one a lot. My number one most frustrating opening would have to be black hole I think. White can attack in an infinite number of ways and can force very critical endings.

[@producingfire]

You were right about these openings none of them are natural at all Ryan I do like the Nemesis. I play the openings but, I don't know enough to recognize them yet. Hopefully we can play again soon. I still can't win but, I want to see if I can force a draw haha. I shared some of the games in another post, but they got removed. I'll even try three move to see if I can lock down a few of the principles. I'm still playing on instinct.

[@azcheckers]

Hey Marcus! Yes, not natural and not the most fun! That's great you like the Nemesis -- I'm going to provide a deeper dive into that opening in the coming weeks, so hopefully you will enjoy that! And yes, I hope to get online to play next weekend -- it would be great play against you: win, lose, or draw. That is strange the games you shared were removed. I believe KZbin now detects a series of numbers as spam, so that might be the case here. You can always email me games at [e-mail], and I can review and analyze and send them back to you. Keep playing and keep up the good work!

[@thomasengel1459]

So Ryan, are you working on making these openings less frustrating for yourself? What does overcoming these challenging openings involve? I know you rarely use programs for study, so how will you conquer these openings?

[@azcheckers]

Hey Thomas! It's really great to hear from you and I hope you are doing well. The biggest source of my frustration with these openings is that they just aren't very fun to play (from either side). I'm familiar with a lot of the key technical aspects (especially from the weaker side), that are necessary to survive, but I just don't enjoy playing them. I'd love to hear a viewpoint from someone who does enjoy any of the openings on this list. I'm always looking for ways to be creative in all openings, and I've tried to make the openings here more innovative and fun so they're not as frustrating, but just haven't discovered anything (yet)!

[@majomajo2332]

This game itself can be very frustrating, not only the opening, lol... Sometimes I wonder if I made any progress at all and what's the point. But most of the times I'm just not concentrated enough or just too lazy to consider all options and consequences, which is punished then... But thanks to your videos I learn something new and motivation comes back. Thank you for this video, Ryan! But... I wonder what frustrating means - I take it you mean 'no fun' , not that these are bad openings for red... Best, Joachim

[@azcheckers]

Hello my friend! It's good to hear from you and I'm really glad to hear your motivation has returned! I think it's easy to get into a groove of playing many games and playing those games quickly. I recommend maybe playing fewer games, but devoting more concentration and time to those games. I think you will find your overall play will improve -- and may also reduce some levels of frustration. You are absolutely correct about my views on these openings. They just aren't as fun and I do not really enjoy playing them. There are certainly more critical openings in the deck, but the openings I list here I just never could truly embrace. But, I am actively looking to change my perspective!

[@majomajo2332]

@@azcheckers Thanks for the advice, makes absolutely sense! Playing too often and too quickly with the consequence of careless mistakes and frustration is something I know but a trap I fall often into. I will try to heed your advice and let you know. Have a great summer time! Joachim

[@azcheckers]

​@@majomajo2332 Of course! I've been down this path before, so I can relate. Playing fewer games, but devoting your full attention to them, can lead to significant changes in your game (for the better!). As always, if you'd like to share any of your games, I'd be happy to feature them on this channel!

[@majomajo2332]

@@azcheckers not sure if my last game on playOk (user exb) against Sphera is worth to show. This game was a loss but simply because of the time, otherweise it would have been a draw, I think. 5min is simply too short for me. If you could have look and let me know where I took a wrong move or simply missed an opportunity- that would be really great! Have a great weekend!

[@azcheckers]

​@@majomajo2332 I just looked at both games you played against this opponent, and you actually had wins in each game -- you are a very good player! I think the issue as you alluded to earlier, is the time control. Allowing yourself to step back and double check before moving is critical in your progression. Moving quickly, especially if the time controls and your opponent both are fast, can really hinder your game. I've been here before, as have many other players. It's difficult to slow down, but it's absolutely essential. I'll review the second game in a video publishing tomorrow.

[@dailycheckers5553]

Az you know checkers strongest name??? or any one know???

[@azcheckers]

Hello! Are you able to elaborate? I know you had asked about the strongest checkers program under a different video. I answered that the strongest publicly available program is the Kingsrow engine.

[@robtaylor9782]

Nice content very informative, every openly makes me weep lol 😂

[@azcheckers]

Thanks, Rob! You aren't alone, and there are many openings that are far tougher than what I listed that can make any player weep. But, the key is continued practice and study so the tears are few and far between!

[@julissarichard4426]

pr໐๓໐Ş๓ 😂