The English Fighting Toad: A new system

Yes, it really is a real opening - at least as far as I'm concerned and who cares what anyone else thinks? Its a variation of the Latvian gambit 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 The mainline in that is N takes pawn and then black must go active with the queen in some sharp tactical lines. I don't like losing my e pawn though so for me, I guess its a system more than an opening line that plays Nc6 before f5, also, against a different 2nd move than Nf3 I will delay the f5 push because I don't want any queen checks. So after an average opening I can end up with something like:

Black will then be looking to play Nf6 with an eye to a d5 push. Often where White plays an Italian game, this can even be accomplished with a gain of tempo where the white bishop is pushed in to the wings, or moves to pin the c6 Knight - in which case the bishops must move to protect the implicitly threatened e pawn.

When it works, you can end up with a position like:

This is after only 6 moves as well ( 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 f5 4. exf5 Nf6 5. b3 d5 6. d3 Bxf5) Maybe White played a poor opening but nevertheless Black can gain a strong advantage against an indecisive opening from White and it is black who gains a strong centre and open lines. That particular game went on 7. Bg5 Bb4 8. Qd2?? (Be7 was needed) d4 9. a3 Bxc3 and White resigned.

I am sure there are players on here who can refute the EFT or whatever you want to call it, and you are invited to do so. However, it is a decent way of playing a sort of King's Gambit with black for those who like the sound of such a risky proposition and more than anything else, it can be a lot of fun.

Your friend, Martin