e4 definitely
d4 or e4
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d4 definetly...
Feb 17, 2009
0
#104
As a general rule, I play 1.e4 against lower rated opponents, and 1.d4 against higher rated. I play something else more than 30% of the time (such as 1.Nf3, c4, or g3), and violate my rule another 20%, but it's still my rule.
e4 for me
I use d4 probably 70% of the time just because I am more comfortable with the games that develop from d4. When I use e4 I find myself in trouble alot of the time very early but I still play it sometimes to practice/learn from it.
I have tried all three of the openings 1.c4 (English Opening) 1.d4 and 1.e4
From the three, I like e4 the best
Why doesn't 1.f4 get any respect? People talk as if 1.c4, 1.d4 and 1.e4 are the only "serious" opening moves, when 1.f4 is just as viable as any of them. It might not be the best but it is perfectly playable, gives you the element of surprise against your opponent, and you will certainly be more well versed in the resulting positions than your opponent. I'm just starting to play 1.f4 again after I dabbled with it for a short time, and I'm loving the results so far. So for anyone who doesn't want to go with the "tried and true" 1.d4 or "best by test" 1.e4, then 1.f4 is another solid option that I'd recommend to any enterprising player.
I will play anything!
NesimTR wrote:
Why doesn't 1.f4 get any respect? People talk as if 1.c4, 1.d4 and 1.e4 are the only "serious" opening moves, when 1.f4 is just as viable as any of them. It might not be the best but it is perfectly playable, gives you the element of surprise against your opponent, and you will certainly be more well versed in the resulting positions than your opponent. I'm just starting to play 1.f4 again after I dabbled with it for a short time, and I'm loving the results so far. So for anyone who doesn't want to go with the "tried and true" 1.d4 or "best by test" 1.e4, then 1.f4 is another solid option that I'd recommend to any enterprising player.
1 f4 only scores 48% while 1 e4, d4, c4, Nf3 and g3 all score 53% or better.... according to my data base so 1f4 is NOT as viable if you trust tournament practice/results.
Apr 23, 2009
0
#113
Reb, the 48% score is misleading.
Anecdotally, the Bird (and Dutch) players seem to play for certain types of positions, specifically because they aren't well-versed in the "normal" positions which result from e4, d4, etc. So it's easy to imagine that players who play the Bird start with a disadvantage.
Statistically, I'd be interested in knowing what is the average rating of the white side of the 48% figure you mention, compared with the black side.
Also, it would help to get an expert opinion on recent developments in the Bird, since a recent shift in the theoretical debate may skew the statistical result.
It's difficult for me to imagine that white is actually worse after opening 1.f4.
Score doesn't determine how sound it is. 1 Na3 scores very well but has been played so little and is obviously not very good.
First of all, most professional do recommend e4 for beginners because it increases their tactical, and analysis skills. Also, they won't really be able to use d4 properly because of the positional knowledge and insight that is required.
Personally I prefer d4, but right now, following the advice of my teacher, I will play e4. Also, by playing e4, I have begun to enjoy the thrill and dynamic positions that e4 offers.
Personally, I prefer d4, but I don't think you're going to see that one is intrinsicly better than the other, except perhaps in very high levels of play. The reason I prefer the d4 because I just love playing as white in a Queen's gambit game, whether it's accepted or declined. Although, honestly, I need to start playing some more e4 openings as white, as I'm not very experienced playing e4 as white.
I use them both about the same. It's usually a spur-of-the-moment decision.
1. d4 usually leads to a highly positional game where opening slips may or may not cost you the game and where pawns will play an important role. 1. e4 will lead to sharp, tactical play whre an opening slip will cost you the game and where pawns play a minor role in the overall scheme of things.
I have better results with 1.d4, myself, but 1.e4 is much more fun!