1.e4! e5 2.Nf3 : Unusual Openings

We start our study with the variations that are not too much attended by the opening manuals with this familiar to every chess player position. Of course the principal continuations here are 2...Nc6 and 2...Nf6, but there also exist other ways of defending the black e5 pawn...

a) 2...f6?

This continuation is well known since the legendary G. Grecko. The ancient manuscripts contain the following game, where white begins and wins by:

3.Nxe5!

White simply wins a pawn and the only logical continuation would be 3...Qe7 4.Nf3 d5 and white is better. If 4...Qxe4+ 5.Be2 +/- white has a developmental advantage.

3...fxe5?

This loses in a forced way:

b) 2...Bd6

By this move Black defends his pawn and also does not lose immediately. Nevertheless, taking into account that the black bishop will have to be transferred to some position later, this is essentially a loss of tempo.

3.d4 exd4 +/- Following continuation might occur:

c) 2...d5

This is not-quite-correct but sharp continuation demands from White accuracy in particular variations.

3.exd5 

3... e4

The most principled continuation. Black exacerbates the situation to the limit. If 3...Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qe6 +/=, a transportation into Scandinavian takes place.

4.Qe2

It is practically the only move allowing White to fight for an advantage.

4...Nf6 5.d3 Qxd5 6.Nbd2 Bf5 7.dxe4 Bxe4

Now follows a nice combination:

8.Ng5! Qxg5 9.Nxe4 Qe5 10.Nxf6+ gxf6 11.Bf4 Qxe2+ 12.Bxe2 +/-

d) 2...Qe7

Amongst all the variations discussed. this one seems to be the most reliable. Black has protected the pawn while moving the queen not so far.

3.Nc3 c6

If 3...Nf6 4.Bc4 h6

4.d4 d6 5.Bc4 5...Bg4

After 5...Nd7, Black cannot disentangle the knot of pieces in the center.

White's position is obviously more promising.