Answer by Marc Sicina for Opening as a Beginner: Mainlines or Offbeaten path?

Ah. THAT QUESTION!! Lol! Asked by many players!! I think there are lines for ones rating. So unless you have the time and want to devote time then sveshnikov, Botvinick semi slav maybe not best allocation but that’s not what you are asking. You have a family and a life, be thankful you have time for chess. The QGA can be “boring” when you play early c5 as dxc5 and a queen trade steer the game faster to a maneuvering game. So semko Semkov wrote a book with Delchev bypassing this line you play d4 d5 c4 dxc4 nf3 nf6 e3 Bg4! No exchange of queens early. Can you use it at 2800 nah you may have to play Nimzo Indian the tartakower QGd or the Grunfeld. I have been assured theBenko is best sub 2000 by many strong players. Above that play KID. So Keep the Qga if you like open or semi open positions. If not maybe try KID or Nimzo/ Vienna. Now vs 1.e4 try 1…e5!! It’s open like QGA and will teach you chess. Try open Spanish John Watson in his book on 1.e4 in his epic 4 books on the openings says it’s great for tacticians and ameteurs. Has a great mix of teaching and workload balance. Something like that. Or gamble and play Najdorf or sveshnikov or dragon. 3 sharpest lines and best in Sicilian! I like the QGA and open!! Now white. If you are liking the evans and doing well great if not drop it and get Neil McDonalds book play 1. E4 or win 1.e4. I know it’s by Neil McDonald he recommends scotch, pano vs caro, your korchnoi gambit and open Sicilians! Vs dragon I would play 90-0-0 not Bc4 vs Najdorf either Be3 or h3. Schevenigen is fine with Be3 but g4 is best! Now with classical play f3 and Be3. Vs acclerated dragon play nc3 best with repertoire you have though maybe c4 is best and play everything else Neil recommends. I think main lines vs modern and pirc ie Be3. Scandi I think just follow what he recommends. Smerdons book. At 1500 I would learn a more stable line you can still use at 2000 plus ie the open. Oh vs 1.e4 e5 f4 play d5 and go into modern kings gambit. Vs guicco bite the bullet and play the 2 knights. It’s sharper then Bc5. Note many strong players say tactics and sharp play is best so keep doing those tactics and good luck!!