I think after 1. f4 e5 is the only good move (or at least the only good one I see), and I see not more problems for black than for white in this position, it leads to a sharp tactical position and I think that by giving the pawn it is black who gets the surprise, or at least if white is prepared a good and sharp position... but I'm not a specialist... I tried f4 a bit and think it is a good yet very unplayed start, so yes, sometimes the surprise will work... The good thing with e4 opening is that f5 leads to nothing and on d5 white is good .
Bird's Opening
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Its funny, hardly anyone I play plays e5. Usually they play d5, which i follow with Ng3 preparing to castle after e3. Thats how I react to d5 which usually leads to the game I described.
The diagram is how my experiences with the bird opening usually turn out. (With a rather passive black player) Both Bishops are lined up to attack the king side, and my kinght on f3 can get in the action very quickly. Skilled opponent would be able to counter such an attack (it's happened) and then I end up with a loosing end game, but I've had good success trying for a mid game checkmate here.
Again, this is just something I've noticed. I wonder if it's just a newbie type thing!
Hey, I like to mess around with new things! I played e4 my entire chess life (which yes, has been quite short) A few months ago I started playing the English opening, and now I've been messing around with this one! My fundamentals aren't completely askew, and I understand the basic principals of an opening - center control, king safety, activated pieces. (And yes, a lot people could spit that back at you claiming they "know" openings.) However you're right, I claim no greatness - I'm simply curious to see if I can stray from the king's pawn opening with any success, and I wanted to note my observations, and see what the community might have to offer. I guess if everyone offers "use e4" I'll know that that was a stupid idea to share my thoughts...
I guess this is sort of an open question/discussion. I'm curious to see what people think. (Especially those of you not so well practiced in the main line!)
Lately, I've started playing the birds opening to be surprising. I'm rated ~1050 standard and I play others of a similar rating so usually my birds opening breaks the standard opening procedure of my opponent. I've found that in playing the bird opening with a king-side castle I usualy end up unleashing an attack king-side with plenty of odd trades. I've given the castled rook for a knight and an open king-side.
What do you think of the bird's opening? Are there any trends you've picked up on playing it, or playing against it? Especially those of you not well practiced in the main line.