Start by separating your needs as White and as Black. With White, choose one main first move or system, then keep the opponent replies you actually meet. With Black, start from the common first moves against you: one answer to 1.e4, one answer to 1.d4, then a few secondary systems.
The temptation is to add too many variations. ChessFlow works best when every branch has a reason to exist: you play it often, you missed it in a game, or it leads to a plan you want to learn. A rare line that you never review quickly becomes noise.
A useful repertoire should stay smaller than your current motivation. Add lines once the older ones have been reviewed, not just because the tree looks impressive.
Limit the depth
For each variation, stop at a position where the plan becomes clear. This is not always the same number of moves. Some lines need ten moves because a tactical trap appears quickly. Others can stop on move six if you already know the development plan.
- Keep forced moves and critical replies.
- Skip branches you do not understand yet.
- Add short comments when the idea matters more than the exact move order.
Review with a simple loop
After creating the first version, run a training session without chasing a perfect score. The goal is to find the moves that do not come naturally. Then return to the repertoire, clarify confusing branches and launch a shorter session.
This create, train, correct loop is more useful than a long passive preparation phase. It turns your repertoire into a living tool: every mistake shows what should be simplified, explained or repeated.