1.e4 f6?!

I think there's a consensus that black has better moves than 1. ...f6. HOWEVER, I haven't seen anybody show common lines where white obtains the edge (much less equalizes) in this opening.

So far we've seen the "Krazy Kat" opening, but in the words of GM Roman Dzindzichashvili, "Any opening named after an animal is bad"! On the other hand, any opening works against the unprepared.

So... what's the refutation to the "Krazy Kat"?

That's a very horrible defense!! Why would black purposefully open up a very diagonal for no reason while blocking the development of the Nf6 knight? Who in their right minds would do crazy things like this?

For Pete's sake, it's a surprise opening. As is with all unorthodox openings, one of the key benefits of using them OTB is the element of surprise, buying time while putting the opponent in unfamiliar opening territory. I'd like to take this thread a little seriously at least, so that I for one will have the most advantageous line prepared if I ever face something like it myself. "Playing natural moves" almost always works, but being somewhat familiar with the best responses to the opening and the ideas behind such responses is even better.

Here are some sample games, and my own rough analyses.

Game 3:

Game 4:

f6 not much useful move against e4

Qc7 is also bad move

To me, take Black up on the challenge...

http://blog.chess.com/billwall/off-the-wall-opening---black-krazy-kat

Okay, to post some live games with 1. e4 f6... I went 2-1-0 yesterday and today with the Black pieces.

I am not saying these games are perfect, but Black was able to hold his own against the opponents.

Today I went 1-1-0 with 1. e4 f6.  It should have been 2-0-0, but the first game I am posting was a kid that literally asked for a draw because his mom needed him.  I won't keep posting all of these games everyday, but the point is that I have found some neat ideas here, and it may be a bit slower, but it suits me, so there you go...

One thing I am finding interesting is socking the center with c6-d5.  

Against the Comp at Hard...

Ok, to resurrect this concept for discussion again.  I know that 1...f6 is very committal, and for the Barnes player, that is what they intend anyway...but I have considered the "most flexible" way to enter a nice type of Krazy Kat, and I consider the idea 1...g6, 2...Nh6 and 3...f6.  This gives White the opportunity to give Black the two bishops in exchange for a tempo (Bf8-h6-g7), and saves a tempo on the idea of 1...g6, 2...Bg7, and then ...Nh6 Bxh6 Bxh6, and with a retreat to g7, the black bishop has done 3 moves in the first 5...not my cup of tea.

Any takers for discussion?  NOTE - don't say this opening is trash :D  I ALREADY KNOW it is not an optimal defense, that is not what I am discussing.  This is just about move order. 

Never a lack of trolls is there :P

BirdBrain,

1.e4 f6 ! Forever !!

Keep playing these fun offbeat openings :) I believe the reason Chess960 isn't as popular as it should be is because people have put so much time into studying regular lines that have been played for centuries and to play offbeat lines and Chess960 would force many to think on their own.

Anyhow, I play them all....Sicilians, Scandinavians, French and Unorthodox openings. Have fun ! I'll have to post a game or two up here myself.

Please do, I ought to play a few 1...f6 games for fun now that you have posted :D

K got my quickest ever ...f6 win. Granted it was due to a blunder, but that is how quick wins happen.

1. e4 f6 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3 5. b4?? White resigned. Obviously anticipated Ba5...at least I assume so.

It can switch to the Soller Gambit by a different move order (a variation of the Englund Gambit)

This opening works only because it immediately takes most people out of their prep.

No, it does not 'work' and taking people out of their prep is a horrible reason to choose an opening in the absence of any tactical traps / redeeming factors.  You chose to bump a 3 year old thread for this?