I already said that first move advantage is a myth.
1.a3

I already said that first move advantage is a myth.
But you're wrong. Simply asserting this tripe over and over again will not make it any more accurate.
Alright fine. You win. I resign. First move advantage exists. But what do I do about it? What openings do you guys recommend me for White. Remember, I'm playing the French and the Benko, so something along those lines will be good. Maybe Queen's Gambit? Is there anything in e4 that I can play that I will like. Should I use a couple of openings so I don't get bored, or stick to one opening every game so I get good at them?
You're not going to lose any games because you played 1.a3.
I know that, but why give up a small advnatage?
I'm consdering queen's gambit now...

I'd learn a little about the Queen's Gambit, and for giggles, I would take up the King's Indian Attack - fun opening, with some neat tactical ideas and throws a lot of people off their game plan.
King's Gambit can be lots of fun too, though it is not as strong as it once was - there are some nice defenses to it, though I still get a lot of wins with it.
I am playing 1) a3 with White since last 10 years with good success - and there are no.of reasons -
There is no opening with White with which you can have a sure advantage....Then why to give your opponent a line which he is well-prepared...? Even kids are very well prepared with Sicilian,French,Caro-Kann or Slav or Benko Gambit Lines.
With a3,I am by now able to take the game into a line either which I am prepared or none of us have prepared....and then the better player wins!
I've defeated many high rated (2200-2300) players with a3.My Rating is 1804 currently..
The point of White losing the advantage is not true according to me as I can force the game into one of variations where a3 is required at some point and I can regain my first move advantage....
Also drawing with Black and winning with White is the aim only at Super GM Levels - At our Levels,we are expected to win each & every game (atleast expected at the start of Tmt!!)...
So,you can certainly play a3 without fear and its obviously a good move....Once you get experienced,you'll face similar lines and you can have an edge over your opponent.........
Also one other advantage of playing a3 is - it confuses the opponent or atleast takes away his smile!
Some of my opponents are very much irritated when I play a3 and I love that and feel I've won an important tempo at the start of game itself...
--- Vijeet D Deliwala

Also one other advantage of playing a3 is - it confuses the opponent or atleast takes away his smile!
Some of my opponents are very much irritated when I play a3 and I love that and feel I've won an important tempo at the start of game itself...
--- Vijeet D Deliwala
Or perhaps it puts that smile on their face.
It is great that you won an important tempo before their time starts.
This is really a joke, though, right?

I played 1. a3 for years, intending to head for a transposition into a colors-reversed opening with a tempo more.
For instance, if the opponent answers 1. ... e5, then play 2. c4 with a reversed Sicilian (in which the a-Pawn often plays a constructive role... eg: Najdorf or Scheveningen). 1. ... d5 can be met with a reversed Benko, or reversed Modern Benoni, or even a reversed QGA; since the a-Pawn can play a constructive role in all of these openings.
The point is not just transposing into a known type of (colors reversed) position with an extra move... the fact that a3 has already been played rules out some of the critical lines that your opponent might otherwise have played. The most aggressive and double-edged White systems against the Sicilian are simply unplayable as Black against the reversed Sicilian, for example.

The true brilliance of 1. a3, is that if 1. e5 , you can enter into a Scandinavian with White, while up a tempo!

I like the idea of 1 a3 and then play my favorite defenses in which the a3 move will probably be useful. That is a bit of compensation.
However, what about 1 a3 g6. Seems then now white has no compensation for playing 1 a3 and is playing as black full blown.

I like the idea of 1 a3 and then play my favorite defenses in which the a3 move will probably be useful. That is a bit of compensation.
However, what about 1 a3 g6. Seems then now white has no compensation for playing 1 a3 and is playing as black full blown.
Play 2. g3 and head for a reversed KID Panno?
Yes, we pin it to the top so no serious opening questions can pass it.
And to advertise to new members checking out the forum that this is what we consider of most importance in the opening.
Go figure.
This is a serious opening question. I in fact played 1.a3 in an otb game last week and won very quickly. However, my opponent was rated aroung 700...
But this is a serious opening question. I like my black openings better. So I'm going to give my opponent the move, by playing move that doesn't do much almost like a pass. Simple. I don't understand what's so foolish about it.