1.e4 f6?!

My opponent probably did, but he/she didn't want to do it. Ironically in the position, even though black's king can't move, white doesn't have a mate in 1

What do you mean?

First of all, thanks Birdbrain, I found your posts respectful and they show a mind full of curiosity and imagination. Inspiring! :)

I've played 1...f6 hundreds of times now, but only in 1, 2 and 3 minute games. I'll post some more about this later...

1...f6 is definitely not a move that one should play in serious tournament games, BUT it is not as bad as many people claim. Let me explain:

Granted, 1...f6 is a move which breaks several opening principles and it has some terrible drawbacks:

- it weakens the h5-e8 diagonal, exposing black's King.

- it weaknes the b3-g8 diagonal, f7 is now even more vulnerable.

- f6 is normally the best square of black's g8 Knight. That square is no longer available.

In the openings, we should basically strive to control the center of the board and develop our pieces quickly. Unfortunately, 1...f6 does neither. 

Regarding creativity, strong players normally choose to be creative later on in the game, by first playing a reasonable opening system and then introducing a novelty of their own, or by choosing some unusual or new middle game plan, etc. At competitive levels, being creative on move 1 playing an inferior move well... it's not worth it! :)

HOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEVER,

I wouldn't call someone who plays 1...f6 an idiot. Whenever I've played this move on a chess server, normally the reaction from my opponents has been to

1) quit the game (a player who plays 1...f6 is not worth wasting my time on!)

2) insult me. (not much imagination here, by the way :) )

3) play unusual moves like 2.f3, etc.

4) try to wipe me off the board. These are the games I like! :)

I think we shouldn't judge a player by his opening moves, regardless of how bizarre they look. It took great defying and creative minds like the ones of Philidor, Steinitz, Chigorin and Nimzowitsch to dynamite what was then known about openings. Some of the moves they played were not always understood by players of their time... 

Of course, 1...f6 is not exactly in the same league as Larsen's opening, but many people laughed at Larsen's 1.b3 when he starting playing it, but it's now a well respected move. Miles played 1...a6 against Karpov and beat him.

Speaking of Chigorin, he too played some very weird lines: he invented 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6!? for example, and it remains a very interesting opening. And getting back to 1...f6, he actually played Damiano's defence: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6 in one of his most famous games, which ended in a draw but he could have won brilliantly if he had seen a beautiful queen sacrifice. 

Here's the game with my full annotations. Don't just follow the moves, READ the annotations, please!! (by the way, I dedicate my notes to those players who can only come up with an insult when they face 1...f6 in one of their games)

Chessnia, I will take more time later to look at all those notes.  I began to look through them - they are very extensive, beautiful, and full of passion.  I believe Chigorin did that sac knowingly - an open h-file, of all files, and pieces aimed right at the White king.  That seems like "sucking" White in for the kill, to me. :-)

My theory is that those who criticize these ideas are the same ones that criticize the Dutch, but would have praised it in Botvinnik's days.  They are iffy about the KID (one day it is in fashion, the next not) - if they are told that Bran Flakes are better than Corn Flakes, they eat those!  People follow what is hot in theory all day long!  I understand that, but I like to try to understand what is going on in the positions, that is all.  1...f6 is not as bad as it is made out to be, and it is White's responsibility to prove it is bad.  They will turn around and play a double-edged Sicilian line that you have to have a memory a mile long to play.  Not for me :-)

Let's take the Bird, which is definitely not in fashion right now!  There was a time when a lot of big names were trying it.  I think it boils down to the flavor of the moment - what are the big guns trying?  Before Kramnik came on the scene, I don't think the Catalan was as popular as it is now...but there you go!  

I guess the ultimate point is, I thank God for all the harsh criticism received.  There will be players like me and Chessnia and gambitlover who will play different styles to provoke our opponents to play out of their box, and there you go :-)

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1266586

Paul morphy has lost vs this so there may be some merrit to it, although it does look weak in my opinion

Frank, anything is weak if it is played "incorrectly" - even the ...e5 and ...c5 systems, you must know how to use them.  Look at the "brilliant" idea that Barnes did against Morphy.  

First, 1. e4 f6 - well, typical Fried Liver Ng5 is out of the question.  2...e6?  Well, Bc4 is a bit less active.

Second, which I really notice throughout the whole game - Barnes strips the game down to its bare nuts and bolts - a bare endgame, where the tactics cannot fly.  Morphy's strength was his tactics, and Barnes slowly pushed a wall of pawns in Dutch-KID fashion, and encouraged piece trades.  

I think it is important to study the ideas.  I am not by any means saying this is the best defense.  But I think it is important to understand its strengths and weaknesses, so that you don't fall prey to this "terrible" opening yourself. 

Here is my point - I play tons of 1. f4 and ...f5.  That being said, I understand the strengths and weaknesses of 1. f4 and 1...f5 than someone who doesn't spend time with it.  So I continually apply pressure to the "weakened" area and try to get a concession out of my opponent.  

The same goes here - Barnes threw a monkeywrench at Morphy he wasn't ready for!

 I think the King's looking a little vulnerable at this point, lol. However, there are a handful of openings which an early ...f6 can be useful, e.g. 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nc6!? 4.e5 f6 is an offbeat line of the French which, as far as I know is yet to be refuted...

Regarding the game Shiffers vs Chigorin, it should be said that it was the last game in a match that Chigorin had already won.

There is also a thematic tournament going on now with the starting position after 1. e4, f6; 2. Nf3 Nh6; 3. d4 Ne7. Black is not doing so well in that tournament.

Krazy Kat.  That is a tricky opening, and it is not for everyone.  BUt I think you meant 3...Nf7.  

Yes.

Sure a world class grandmaster could play it and still beat 99.99% of all chess players. But most players (including me) are not good enough to play with a distinct disadvantage after move one.

Sasuke Uchiha says its good. But Shikamaru says its bad.

westofhollywood, we never claimed it would work for everyone.  We never claimed it was the clear path to equality.  But the claim is that it is less respected than it deserves - that if White plays auto pilot, or overly aggressive without restraint, he might find himself in a world of hurt. 

West, I believe autopilot can be very dangerous.  when you play blindly and are not paying attention, you run the risk of playing into a trap and not even seeing it.  And overly aggressive, what I mean is by an opponent who tries to punish an opening in the opening.  There are good solid aggressive lines for White that will test Black for sure, and that is not what I am talking about.  I am talking about people who try to wipe you off the board in 10 moves.  That type of aggressive :-)

I don't like it.  It opens up the e8-h5 diagonal, and blocks the f6 square for the knight.  Anything can be better than this move.  (other than 1. e4 f5, of course)

Although of course, as stated earlier, black may have some chances after 1. e4 f6 2. d4 g5!!, but this is still a difficult opening for black to play.

Pompom, black has literally no chances after 1.e4 f6 2.d4 g5.

That's the point, MuzeY...

lol, I would love to post some busted Sicilian lines and mock too, but hey, mocking usually comes from those who lack understanding in a subject 

Just kidding by the way, but that being said, I encourage every one of you who mock 1. e4 f6 to give the refutation.  If you do, I'll buy you a McDouble and send it in the mail!  

 The bottom line is that if you like playing 1...f6, then play it! Chess for most of us is for enjoyment and intellectual stimulation. There is no direct refutation of it and it does have psychological value. When my opponents play this kind of stuff I take it very seriously and try not to overextend, because I assume they now it very well.