10 of the worst chess openings
Seriously? Moving your f-pawn-then your king, get Fool's Mated, and lose a rook. That's not a good way to start a chess game. Let the countdown begin!
10. Bird's Opening
The main disadvantage of the Bird's opening is that you're moving the weak f-pawn by 1. f4. It is an okayish opening when it comes to controlling the center. f4 does leave you some good options on the next move like Nf3 and e3. When it comes to popularity, the Bird's Opening is actually quite popular with about 7000 master games that begin with 1. f4.
9. Polish Opening
Although it is still played in thousands of master games, the Polish Opening isn't the best opening in the world. For starters, It does nothing to control the center. That is the reason why I don't recommend this opening for beginners. If you are a higher rated person like an amateur or and expert, the Polish Opening is ok to use. After the Polish, your opponent will most likely play either e5 or d5.
8. Saragossa Opening
The Saragossa's main disadvantage is the same as the Polish, it doesn't control the center. It also takes away c3, a main square for the knight. Honestly, I don't recommend this opening and I don't think most masters will, too. If you are a straightforward player who likes controlling the center, avoid the Sargossa. Other than that, the Saragossa Opening isn't bad at all.
7. Clemenz Opening
The only advantage I can think of is that the Clemenz Opening does well against light squared bishop. I know, the Clemenz isn't played too often (about 100 games include h3), and if you don't play this opening, you don't have to worry about the disadvantages. The most clear disadvantage is that white will get very poor development. Because of this, the Clemenz ranks lower than the Polish and the Saragossa.
6. Barnes Opening
The Barnes Opening is worse than the Bird's Opening because of (of course) development. The Barnes also removes the knights critical f3 square. Black will likely play 1. e5 because he knows that will challenge white's weak development. If you play the Barnes, you have to be cautious of a much worse opening that can follow.
5. Sodium Attack and Amar Opening
The Sodium attack is a very uncommon opening for masters, about 10 games include the opening. It is uncommon for a good reason, development. The Sodium Attack may be followed by Nf6, g6, d5, or e5. Another con to the Sodium is that after e5, Nh3, Bxa3, and bxa3, White will get a pair of sad, doubled pawns. The Amar Opening is basically the same thing except this time, White played Nh3.
4. Ware Opening and Kadas Opening
Only an absolute beginner would play such an opening. After a4, White will likely fall for the trap Ra3 (This trap is 3rd on the list). The Kadas Opening isn't good either, but this time more people play it. To add to all that, a4 and h4 are some of the worst developing moves possible, completely avoiding the center.
3. Ware Opening: Meadow Hay Trap
The trap is exactly the one I have been warning you about. The Meadow Hay completely forgets that the bishop will take the rook in the next move. It goes like this: 1. a4 e5 2. Ra3.
2. Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag Variation
This opening is known for being bad. Not only does it move the f-pawn, but it also moves the king! That is double bad when it comes to openings. A master game that involved this opening was Aldrovandi Costantino vs. Cocozza Mario.
Here is what the opening looks like, besides the game:
1. Barnes Opening: Fool's Mate
Only a fool will fall for this one. That's right, it's the Fool's Mate! Nothing gets worse than getting checkmated in two moves. This opening (Fool's Mate) goes like this 1. f3 e5 2. g4 Qh4#. Here's a game showing the Fool's Mate: