1.h4 strategy

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ContestChessPuzzle

I am compiling a strategy for 1.h4 and I will use any information written in the comments to compile the strategy! (I will edit this main post every time I see more info and tips on 1.h4)

 

ContestChessPuzzle

Does anyone have suggestions?

ThrillerFan

Yes, add a question mark after White's first move and play something more useful like 1.d4, 1.e4, 1.c4, or 1.Nf3.

ContestChessPuzzle
ThrillerFan wrote:

Yes, add a question mark after White's first move and play something more useful like 1.d4, 1.e4, 1.c4, or 1.Nf3.

Let me clarify!

Suggestions to this opening. considering this move might be helpful. ignorance leads to 1.h4 being ignored.

NovaldyFelix
Its going to make black plays d5. So... After h4 try playing something to counter d5(?)
beardogjones

After h4, just respond (with white) as you would with the black pieces, this is sometimes effective

as it prevents qh4, and  also in the right circumstance may help to rip open the h-file.

u777-77-77

Hi all!
Just look at my game where I tried the similar system for black. The plan is very simple: you play 1.h4, then 2.Nh3, 3. Bg2, 4.0-0, and kingside development is complete. The same system is also good for black. https://www.chess.com/live/game/2544979671

u777-77-77

I'm also playing 1.Na3, 1.Nh3 and other ugly openings, write me if you are interested in

pfren

It's easy to compile a strategy related to 1.h4.

Just use a white sheet of paper.

Or you can use something like that:

 

 

rjbuffchix

Maybe I'll post in this topic at a later point. Too many devotees of boring orthodox chess in here atm. Have fun memorizing the first 50 moves of some Sicilian opening, waiting for you opponent to fall into the HYPEr-accelerated Simon Says Variation instead of the Boring Nocreativity Advanced Variation.

 

Kudos to TC for caring to push the boundaries of chess.

pretzel2

harry the h pawn for the win!

ContestChessPuzzle

why not 1.h4 and 2.g4 and moving the rook!

gingerninja2003

1.h4 and 2.g4 is horrible stratagy.

Moving the rook early is bad as white won't be able to castle that side.

ChessBooster

h2-h4 as first move is not so bad, if you are aware that you are giving "first" move to black side, regarding center of board, still nobody would prefer it in serious games. but: may be good if you are able to get some revesre coloured position

but let s say, after 1.... e7-e5 i propose c2-c3 with d2-d4 and playing opposite color caro kann when you already have open h2 for bishoop retreat Bc1-f4-h2...

Dale

I can think of 2 strategies for 1.h4

One is to capture blacks g pawn by pushing the pawn many times and capturing black's g pawn. This costs a lot of time though so getting this strategy to actually work might be difficult.

The other is to play Rh3. Sometimes Rh3 can be played without sacrificing the exchange and may become a normal developing move in that case and other times it is played as an exchange sacrifice at times when black's light bishop is especially important.

I just thought of another strategy for 1.h4 in order to tempt black into playing ...Be7 and then capturing the h pawn and then white plays Nf3. This is sacrificing like half a pawn since it is only a rook pawn which controls half as many squares as all the other pawns so the investment is tiny and also black wastes time taking it as well.

 

LucasInn

I don't think h4 is a good strategy (although YES I AM ONLY 450 I KNOW QAQ). It just weakens your attack and basically let the entire center loose for black. However if you want to risk it I suggest a4 rather than h4 because a4 is the queenside and needs more effort to castle. I suggest to give up queenside rather than kingside.

cdaguer1

1.h4 is good to surprise your opponent. But if you use it too much, you will lose a lot

itsmick423
I have won about 20 games in my last 23 games playing h4 opening in the 1100 to 1200 range. After analysis I’m playing with low or no blunders in most of them the only problem I sometimes have is developing queenside pieces for queenside castle. It’s been working very well I like it and it’s vey unorthodox
LambyLambowski

This is my jam, add me and let's play. I'm Mr H4 

Xaeronoid

Hi,

I played the 1.h4 a lot on lichess at the level of 2400, and I can say, the main plan should be to push pawns for an early kingside attack. There is the manouver if he blocks you with h5 (not in the first move but later in the opening) yo'r playing f3-nh3-nf2 and try to push g4. If he can take the knight with bishop on c8, take it with the rook beginners! Actually, that is a necessary manouver even if opponent doesn't block you with h5.

There are a lot of games you must play Kf2 if it's safe at some point to develop easier. Otherwise you will try to castle queenside but opponent won't let/attack easily.

Don't ever play 1.h4 e5 2.e4. That's just pathetic. It's the same position with 1.e4 e5 2.h4. Terrible. Use 1. h4 e5 2. c4 instead. Of course against d5, we play d4. Some players play h5 against d5 but that's just no good in any terms.

There are some idiots who fall for the only trap in that opening. I'm really wondering how those idiots became 2400. The trap is, they play Bf5 followed by e6 and if you used the f3-nh3-nf2 manouver I told, you can play g4 and h5 trapping and winning the bishop.

The central variations, hardest ones to play against. With both starts.

First, the e5 start: 1. h4 e5 2. c4 nf6 3. nc3 d5: you have to take the pawn but you neither take the knight not play e4. e4 variations create an incredible weakness on the d file, especially on d4. you must play e3 and if he takes you must take it back with the b pawn. you're going to try to push d4.

Second, d5 start: 1.h4 d5 2.d4 c5: e3 is next of course. After 3.e3 nc6, engine says to play c4 but I don't recommend that. I play bb5 instead. (For beginners again, there is no qa5+ fork, I simply play nc3 and contiune developing my pieces.) And take the knight on the next move. The plan in those kind of central counters against h4, I'm trying to control the e5 square. In this opening, white may make the stonewall pawn structure or simply nf3 and c3-nbd2 kinds of stuff.

I hope this may help the 1.h4 players. Take care!