Epic Opening Discussion

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The place to talk about openings! Discuss openings with our amazing community here.

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The initial question:  What is the best move in response to 1. e4 d5? 

Avatar of Eagle5639

I don't understand the Englund Gambit... I don't know why someone would just offer up their pawn. Maybe for quick development, maybe for a forcing series of moves, maybe checkmate; I just don't know.

 

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chungle wrote:

The initial question:  What is the best move in response to 1. e4 d5? 

 

Ruy Lopez, Cozio Defense is pretty fun if you're black.

Avatar of Eagle5639


I'm more of a 1. d4 2. d5 kind of guy though so here's a good game: Queen Pawn, Chigorin Variation...

Avatar of Ziryab
chungle wrote:

The initial question:  What is the best move in response to 1. e4 d5? 

 

Take the pawn, then develop your minor pieces as you chase the enemy's bride.

Avatar of chungle
Ziryab wrote:
chungle wrote:

The initial question:  What is the best move in response to 1. e4 d5? 

 

Take the pawn, then develop your minor pieces as you chase the enemy's bride.

Very good Zirab!  Have a biscuit!  Yes, by taking the pawn white is prompting black to expose the black queen to harassment -- this simple truth is why one should NEVER fear 1. .. d5 in response to e4.  One should WELCOME it! 

Venture here and learn: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavian_Defense

Avatar of IndefiniteCapture

How to deal with the French Defense?

Avatar of Lt2Adnan

Hi all,

 

Recently I have been experimenting around with the Philidor Defense. Now after the following move order 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O:

 

 

It is stated on Wiki that Black "achieves a strong defensive position". But what I am curious to know is: Does Black have any clear plan ahead for him? (e.g. plans like attacking in the centre, or just sitting there waiting to defend, etc.). He can develop the rest of his queenside pieces while White proceeds to attack with moves like f4, which was what I did in the following online game and subsequently paid the price for my passivity:

 

 

So is the Philidor Defense a sound opening that I can use? And if it is, what plans does Black have in the variation that I have stated above? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Avatar of chungle

The Philidor is inherently passive.  Note that black here chose to exchange ed on move 3...that affords white easy development as you demonstrated in that posted game. 

My experience with the Philidor isn't particularly successful especially with the early surrender of the centre -- John Watson discusses this in his 2003 book "Chess Strategy in Action" (Chapter One, as it happens).  I would suggest you study some related structures arising from two openings:  Either the Modern Defense or the many headed beast that is the Sicilian.  I chose the Modern Defense and because of some move order constraints I end up in the Philidor from time to time...which I think here it is alright (those same mover order constraints mean that I need to know the odd Sicilian as well).

Having said that, it's still not a bad idea to look at this opening, particularly the lines where black doesn't immediately surrender the center.  In the brief modern heyday (the 70s) Bent Larson published a little folio titled: Why Not the Philidor Defense?  There are a few tidbits to be had and may offer some reward for diligent study.  Still, having said all that, I would suggest a more mainline opening to invest time with.

Avatar of EthanJF

 

Hello! Just wanted to ask if there is anything White wants to do after the Danish Gambit line? Does white establish a defensive position or does it attack the king side? 

 

 

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Avatar of TimothySiahaan
IndefiniteCapture wrote:

How to deal with the French Defense?

It depends what kind of game do you like. I usually go to the King's Indian Attack variation of French Defense.

Avatar of Lt2Adnan
chungle wrote:

The Philidor is inherently passive.  Note that black here chose to exchange ed on move 3...that affords white easy development as you demonstrated in that posted game. 

My experience with the Philidor isn't particularly successful especially with the early surrender of the centre -- John Watson discusses this in his 2003 book "Chess Strategy in Action" (Chapter One, as it happens).  I would suggest you study some related structures arising from two openings:  Either the Modern Defense or the many headed beast that is the Sicilian.  I chose the Modern Defense and because of some move order constraints I end up in the Philidor from time to time...which I think here it is alright (those same mover order constraints mean that I need to know the odd Sicilian as well).

Having said that, it's still not a bad idea to look at this opening, particularly the lines where black doesn't immediately surrender the center.  In the brief modern heyday (the 70s) Bent Larson published a little folio titled: Why Not the Philidor Defense?  There are a few tidbits to be had and may offer some reward for diligent study.  Still, having said all that, I would suggest a more mainline opening to invest time with.

 

Normally the Philidor is not part of my main opening repertoire, but I am playing around to see whether I am comfortable with it. Thanks for the valuable insight!

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Avatar of Ziryab
IndefiniteCapture wrote:

How to deal with the French Defense?

 

You could resign, or like the fearless CEO of Chess University, you could try to refute it:



Avatar of Eagle5639

 

Avatar of CandidateMcMaster

I play the Queen's Gambit but have a hard time playing against certain types of defences like the Dutch and the Chigorin.  Besides master games, are there any resources (ie. video series or tutorials that cover how to respond to these and other QG defences like the slav?  I've seen a video on this site about the Benoni and am aware of Kaidinov's great series on QGD.  Any tips or links to resources are greatly appreciated happy.png

Avatar of IndefiniteCapture
Ziryab wrote:
IndefiniteCapture wrote:

How to deal with the French Defense?

 

You could resign, or like the fearless CEO of Chess University, you could try to

refute it:

 

 

How about playing e5 in the opening to control the center?