New answers tagged 1.e4
3
The Petrov is a sound opening but the problem is that white can basically force a queen trade in a symmetrical position. For example- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3
That's okay for a GM but bad for a developing player for two reasons:
You aren't going to get better playing these types of positions. There aren't a lot of tactics ...
5
Objectively speaking, 2...Nc6 is the strongest reply. That's why it's preferred by most top players. 2...Nf6 is an interesting alternative, but it often leads to more drawish positions after 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4, but White can also go for 4.Nxf7!?, which is an inferior line, but very sharp and it can put you in big trouble if you don't know it well.
So it ...
2
For practical reasons, 2...Nf6 is better for you than 2...Nc6, because 2...Nc6 does not make a threat, and your opponent won't have to think about anything. But if you counterattack with 2...Nf6, then your opponent has to think, and that's what you want: your opponents thinking for themselves.
That's in practice. In theory, 2...Nf6 can be safer than 2...Nc6, ...
8
As an amateur player, you should know the connotation that 2...Nf6 (The Petrov defense) has a reputation of being more boring and more of a draw than 2...Nc6 (leading to the Ruy Lopez, Italian, and Scotch games). However, this really doesn't apply at the amateur level. In fact, you're much more likely to win or lose than draw, unlikely to the masters' ...
-1
To try to avoid the Albin.
If black plays nf6 he can still counter with d5 and avoid a pure KG.
7
The inclusion of 2. Nc3 ahead of f2-f4 is most significant.
Consider 1. e4 e5 2. f4. Does 2. f4 aid White's development? Does 2. f4 make a threat? In both cases, no. 1. e4 e5 2. f4 isn't a threat because if we gave White an additional move for 3. fxe5, then 3...Qh4+ ruins White's day. That's the first reason for 2. Nc3: by guarding e4, it means f2-f4 will ...
0
The Sicilian Defence might be suitable for you too. 1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6
You might try the black lion too. You can be passive or aggresive depending on how you play!
2
Give me something sound but aggressive.
Give me the moves, too, but I don't want to learn lots of lines.
You'll save maybe years of study time after you figure out that all you need to get out of the opening is a playable middlegame (most often attributed to Teichmann).
You're not a 1400 player because you're bad at openings, you're a 1400 player because you'...
0
I would recommend 1. e4, e5 for your level. In general, aim for lines that play Bc5 and d5 as soon as possible. Against the Ruy you have both the classical and the Archangel Defence which will stick to those basic ideas. If you want something more aggressive try the Schlieman.
There's also the Latvian and believe it or not there are some very aggressive ...
2
I think the first step is to look at the analysis of the first 9 to 10 moves;
It is all pretty standard for the first few moves.
e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7
Re1 b5
Rxe4 {[#] And now Bb3 would win. C84: Closed Ruy Lopez: Unusual White 6th moves.} d5
Nxe5 Nxe5
Rxe5 {Threatens to win with Bb3. White is better.} bxa4
So looking at the ...
Top 50 recent answers are included
