Opening Prep and Blitz

Does Opening Knowledge matter for Blitz ?

If you play a 3 minute game,  this should allow more leeway than a long game. For instance @Hikaru has played 1a3 and 1b3 in blitz several times but he tends to play more standard openings in classical chess.

@Fabianocaruana is known for his opening knowledge

for instance he won a game recently effortlessly with 1.e4 online

nice job @FabianoCaruana

But lets look at my stats per opening. After all if openings don't matter, I should have more or less the same performance if I look at  openings with a decent number of game played.

With White Position after 1.e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6

The move I played the most is 3 Bb5+ , I scored 49.7% for a rating performance of 2416

on 3.d4 which is the main "theory move" , my score improved

I score with 3.d4 58.2% for a rating performance of of 2436

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but I have experimented with 3 Nc3!? , a less well known move.

Black usually responds with 3..Nf6, but 3..a6 and 3..Nc6 are possible.

None of these moves give White a decisive advantage. 

What are my statistics with 3Nc3 ? 64.6% for a rating performance of 2501

It's not that I am obsessed with my blitz rating. if I were to score higher against weaker opponents, this wouldn't be as telling. but here my opponent's average rating is 2391 which is fairly high.

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lets continue the variation with 3..Nf6

in this position, I scored 90% for a rating performance of 2711 !

The ideas are simple for White. I will develop my Bishop on g2, play 0-0 and follow with a2-a4.

All these moves make sense and I can make them quickly.

But what is the main plan for Black ? 

White has nice pressure and all my next moves improve my  pieces. White has a safe king, nice play against Black's queenside. It is not winning by any means, simply super pleasant for White.

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Want to see an example ?

another one ?

Bottom Line : by using 3Nc3 I am usually in familiar territory , surprising a bit my opponents. Then I get an edge on the board or/and  on the clock. 

3Nc3 is by no means superior to 3d4. If you let Stockfish run 3d4 may be the engine top line. but this is where a bit of opening psychology or avoiding the main lines can help you be more competitive.

and here's the same opening at GM level

and a GM vs GM battle with the same 3Nc3 sideline !