Patzer Opening: Introduction

This opening is used mainly on unwary beginners, by other beginners.

It is known under a variety of names. Parham Attack, Danvers Opening, Wayward Queen Attack and Terrorist Attack.

It elicits animosity from experienced players since White is attempting Scholar's Mate tactics.

Animosity is unwarranted as experienced players can easily defend the pawn on e5 and parry the Scholar's Mate threats. In the end Black's position is superior.

I caution against surprising Black but you can counter the feelings of animosity by setting the game to starting position C20 Wayward Queen Attack.

Disappointment is perhaps a better reaction as Black could think there would be no fun playing an opponent who uses such a poor opening.  http://blog.chess.com/Irandara/that-darn-4-move-checkmate

Scholar's Mate

The Patzer Opening would not be the first choice of openings for a Scholar's Mate.  It sets off Black's alarms immediately.  Better would be to disguise the plan by playing 2.Bc4 first then 3.Qh5 or 3.Qf3 if the opportunity arises.

From non-standard starting positions Scholar's Mate games do not last long enough to affect chess.com ratings. From the standard starting position Black can resign before move four if Scholar's Mate tactics remove the fun from the game.

Black resigns before White's fourth move.  http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=5717471

White mates in three. http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=419

Black mates in three. http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=942471

A true Scholar's Mate does affect ratings even though Black has not been allowed to make four moves. http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=19667

Sample Patzer Opening games

Nakamura vs Sasikiran http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1337354

Nakamura vs Mitkov http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1339053

Harrelson vs Kasparov http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1282198