i usually play nf3 then c3

whatever. . .

this trap is for beggners

@Ivanenko ....mating pattern is similar to gucco piano....

It can easily lead into some sharp variations such as Colle's System or London System or some form of sharp attack to the king side with the light squared bishop at c2 or d3. It also does support a d4 or b4 pawn push which lends itself into Polish opening and Queen's Pawn opening. This can also transpose into Ponziani Opening or Macleod Attack if 1. c3 e5 2. e4.

I had some good games with it...Saragossa transposed into something home made!

its just not particularly aggressive, does nothing to reinforce the center, and if you say it protects d4, well your queen already does that and if you needed o you could play c3 anyways, plus it also deprives your knight of useful square and does nothing to develop any pieces

whats the advantage of this opening over say, just about anything else

its not really bad, and can be good waiting move...

Why do people hate this opening??? It's not explored much!!

Opens up your queen.

This opening is great only if you have white and love defense.

Generally, in chess, some people sometimes win with the black pieces.  Similarly, some people sometimes win despite throwing away their opportunity to make a good first move with the white pieces.  That's why people will rationalize ANY first move with white.  Espeically if it's given an exotic opening name.

hmmm.. i play this opening in rapid n this is good for attacking...:)

i like this opening

ahh........

I just can't understand WITCH opening is this... umm... it's hard to tell,

can't predict if opponent plays defensive or offensive

Nice

I play this opening almost exclusively, and follow it up with 2.c4 It allows me to play the Sicilian defense or the Benko as White, meaning I only have to learn openings for Black.

I'd take less work studying openings over theoretical advantage any day of the week.

if your plan is to play c3 to back up d4, a good player would start with d4 since there is nothing opposing it. hell back up with c3 later if he needs to. the point is to maintain flexibility