There's a lot I can do with it at my level. Obviously I know black is losing at the beginning of the game, but it gives such unusual positions. Even if you lose a game, it helps you work on king safety.
I think a lot of the bad openings actually help you work on your chess in different ways that make you a stronger player. I think this Fred Defense is one of them.
I like to play it like this, it usually gives me a lot of play for the lost points. I think it's good compensation.
I knew Fred.
He played chess.
He couldn't work out
why he failed to beat the best.
He turned to drink
and talked at the bar
the barman said
"Forget that Fred stuff and you'll go far".
I like to play it like this, it usually gives me a lot of play for the lost points. I think it's good compensation.
4.fxg Nf6, 5.g7 NxQ, 6.gxR 1-0
I wouldn't even play this in Blitz let alone OTB.
I like to play it like this, it usually gives me a lot of play for the lost points. I think it's good compensation.
4.fxg Nf6, 5.g7 NxQ, 6.gxR 1-0
That's what's good about it. White thinks he's won. He forgets development and charges after the king. In the meantime, you are learning how to develop under pressure while becoming more resourceful while your king is in danger. Those are good skills to learn, and more valuable than winning a game.
I like to play it like this, it usually gives me a lot of play for the lost points. I think it's good compensation.
4.fxg Nf6, 5.g7 NxQ, 6.gxR 1-0
That's what's good about it. White thinks he's won. He forgets development and charges after the king. In the meantime, you are learning how to develop under pressure while becoming more resourceful while your king is in danger. Those are good skills to learn, and more valuable than winning a game.
It also is good to play down a rook and two pawns I guess.
I will play you in a correspondance game in that line if you will accept the challenge. I like free rating points.
So, you can play better by playing moves you know are bad?
Fascinating.
Yes, in the opening. I like my king to be in danger and it helps me think under pressure so when I'm playing a "real game" and the position is bad, then I don't panic. It's good training that way.
I will play you in a correspondance game in that line if you will accept the challenge. I like free rating points.
Haha. You won't get many points from me. We can play anytime.
Another idea I like to play goes something like this:
I don't know how to name the gambit. Castles instead of taking the pawn and then taking back with the wrong pawn to leave the king open for attack.
That way I can practice defending.
2- .... - Nf6 is mandatory. You must not let the queen give a check in h5.
lol.Good troll.
Do you have a drinking problem? Or just too much time on your hands?
Here's an example of a win by FIDE 1590 vs 1730. That's about 200 points higher than the chess.com ratings. I'm not arguing that GMs could beat the Fred, but whether the disadvantage makes any difference for players at the patzer level. If it doesn't, then why isn't it considered a solid opening for the average player? As a beginner, it really helps me not to panic in dire situations where my king is under attack. Sometimes I last a bit longer if I think about defending and counterattacking at the same time.
Another by FIDE Expert rated players:
Do you have a drinking problem? Or just too much time on your hands?
Yes and yes BUT at least I know that the FD is sound and not refuted.
I stand corrected. Mea culpa. The Fred is clearly at state of mind, the Gambit Mind.
Very Romantic, and great for engines too. Not unlike the @Daeth Trap, methinks.
But if you really, really, want to be attacked, (perhaps) play the Hippo instead, just like WCC Spassky did in his later years.
At least that way, you won't go blind from all the Tal-like tactics. 
I was going through some games and people are winning with the Fred Defense even at Gibraltar open at FIDE ratings around 1800-1900.
So is it okay to play at the "patzer" level, or is it still bad?