The Syrian Defense

While this opening is complex, it needs to start the same way every time.

1. e4    e5

From here on, things get tricky. I would suggest trying the ones that catch your eye, or just go with my suggestions. These are possible moves at this juncture for this opening:

·        d4 (King’s Gambit)

·        Nf3 (Syrian Defense)

If you want to know more about the King’s Gambit, you will need to look elsewhere for it is not a part of the Syrian Defense. We will move on and go with:

2. Nf3   …

So may possible moves can be done here. The two that your opponent should do are either:

·        f6 (Defensive)

·        Nf6 (Offensive)

Defensive

If your opponent goes with defensive, here are the best choices:

• d3 (Defensive)
• Bd3 (Defensive)
• Nc3 (Defensive)

As you can see here, there are no good offensive moves. I would say either go with 3. Nc3 or 3. d3. The 3. Bd3 move leaves your king less defended when castling. Of the other two, I would suggest 3. d3 because it keeps your e4 pawn defended while making a good defensive wall on the Queenside.

3. d3    …

Overall, this leaves black without a very good move. I will go on and show you the rest of the defensive part of this opening.

3. …    Bc5

4. g3    Nh6

5. Bh3    d6

6. Bg2    0-0

7. 0-0 …

As you can see, this opening gives you a nice home for you king, while defending against enemies on the Queenside.

Offensive

Of the offensive or defensive moves for Black, I think offensive is the best, so be prepared for that. So good moves for white are:

• d3 (Defensive)
• d4 (Offensive)
• Qe2 (Defensive)
• Nc3 (Defensive)

All of these are decent moves, accept for Qe2. While it is not terrible, it brings out your Queen early and there are better moves for defending for e4 pawn. I personally think the best move is 3. Nc3 because it brings out both of your powerful Knights and nicely defends you e4 pawn. Remember, your opponent may not do the exact moves shown in this opening. If you feel the need, you can tweak this opening to match your playing style so it is more comfortable for you. Also, I would only say to use this against beginners. Since you probably are a beginner yourself, you and your opponent most likely do not know many openings. This is a great way to start exploring the vast world of openings, because of the Syrian Opening’s flexibility. It allows you make it so it fits your style and is not as complicated as other openings. But if you are an advanced player, please do not use this often. You are most likely ready to use better openings like the Queen’s Gambit. But this is a great way for beginners to learn about openings.

After e4 e5 Nf3, f6 is not such a great move. Nxe5 practically refutes it.

1.e4 e5 2.d4 is not the king's gambit. Mis-type? 2.f4

and what's the Syrian defence?

Agree Nxe5 is best vs 2..f6. Hard to miss if haven't seen before.
I think 3..Qe7 is just about hanging on though, so maybe can't say 3..f6 loses by force.

2..Nf6 is the Petrov's. Haven't heard it being called offensive before. Well not in terms of aggression, maybe offensive to people because it thought to be drawish :-)

the original poster says that black should do either 2..f6 or 2..Nf6. What about 2..Nc6. It's quite common.

In responding to 1. e4, if Black plays 1...e5, they should be prepared to play Spanish.  Otherwise, they would have played 1...c5.

That must be the famous British understatement I've heard of so often

 ;-)

Either that, or he's an intentional troll. Either way, the first post in this thread is complete rubbish.

Hay guys, I just made up a new event for the Olympics, it's called running in a circle... hope you enjoy. LOLOLOLOLOL.

You all are trolls.

Saying what someone else said over and over doesn't help, I get the point!!!

So don't diss someone when they try to make an opening to help people. I worked hard to get this all typed and to get it posted, so all of you stop being jerks.

@TheMouse I am fully aware that I am being laughed at and I just started playing chess a month ago...so there.

And tell me if you want this article deleted!

Its fun to come up with your own theories, but at this point you need to be learning instead of teaching. Maybe instead of pitching your opening as something that is fully-formed and ready to help others, you could ask for input, and if other people like it they will adopt it.

Keep doing you own analysis, that's how you learn! Maybe you could talk through your ideas with a more experienced player before you post them.

+1 to Electricpawn. Everybody has their own chess you know?  

Thanks to the last three posts. I'll keep your ideas in mind.

Never heard of a "Syrian defense-" did you just make that up?

Honestly, the position after 1. e4 e5 already has established theory; you're not really going to find new lines 3 moves in.  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 is the Damiano defense- the main line of it continues 3. Nxe5 Qe7.  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 is the Petroff (or Russian defense) which also has its own theory (3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 etc.)

Good luck improving your chess, but I agree; your place is currently learning, not teaching.

For some reason all of this made me think of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.a3!?. As I recall if black is cooperative white may be able to get some positions where black might normally want to  play Bb4 like certain variations of the four knights.

Hey guys, a word to the wise: I just checked the OP's profile, and he's only 13 years old. So he's obviously not going to have the experience and maturity of an adult, and might be more sensitive to comments we make, I mean he could really take it to heart.....

....so let's have a little fun with the lad.

You better hope that the Syrians don't find out about this. They have a fine tradition in chess, and you know how dangerous those guys are when they get mad... they treat it like part of their religion. 

They're going to think you're mocking their country by making up such a bad series of moves. You're going to cause an International incident at the very least. 

You better tell them at once that you somehow thought it was a good opening, that you are so bad that you thought it was a good opening, and pray that they don't kill you in your sleep one of these nights.