@BoKemp
I use to think this way. Recently I found out that it isn't true till ~2600 lichess or 2400+ OTB. I can actually right now go back to e4 play it for 100 games and literally prove it's not dependent on knowing every wrinkle.
The reason you need to know theory deep is if you choose to do it, or you're a titled player. Really all that is needed is principled chess, maybe a small sound opening system if you want a quick jump start.
It's hard to find principled chess explained well, but probably the best is GM Igor Smirnov. He maps out very extensive in GM secrets and GM positional understanding. They're videos so slightly more expensive than books, but they also come with homework and ebooks as supplement.
I'll post a link later when I am at my laptop.
I use to think this way. Recently I found out that it isn't true till ~2600 lichess or 2400+ OTB. I can actually right now go back to e4 play it for 100 games and literally prove it's not dependent on knowing every wrinkle.
The reason you need to know theory deep is if you choose to do it, or you're a titled player. Really all that is needed is principled chess, maybe a small sound opening system if you want a quick jump start.
It's hard to find principled chess explained well, but probably the best is GM Igor Smirnov. He maps out very extensive in GM secrets and GM positional understanding. They're videos so slightly more expensive than books, but they also come with homework and ebooks as supplement.
I'll post a link later when I am at my laptop.