Help me Choose an Unsound Opening Repertoire

I played that line for years, but I don't think it's unsound and there are a lot of anti-Sicilian moves by White to worry about. 

There's the borderline unsound "Patzer" Scandinavian too: Silman wrote an article about it at

http://www.jeremysilman.com/chess_bits_pieces/053003_patzer_var.html

Nice post ;)

I'm a beginner and Im just learning the game right now. I'm curious, why do you more experienced players play "unsound" openings at all? Is the point to create an unstable situation that is hard for the opponent to predict?

Would the Kings Gamibt count as an "unsound" opening, I'm told masters dont really play it often anymore.

its perfectly sound

try the alekhine

http://www.chess.com/opening/eco/C44_Ponziani_Opening

How about the Ponziani?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3?! 

King Davids attack

1.e4 e5 2. Ke2

KGA tumbleweed variation

1.e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Kf2

That's a good idea, might be worth a shot.

An unsound opening is one where (with best play) you should technically be losing.  A Kings Gambit definitely does not qualify -- with best play it's an unclear position where the stronger player should win. 

A small minority of experienced players do this for any number of reasons: 

• they take their opponent out of the book into territory that they know much better;
• they don't need to study as many openings;
• they are bored and they think this is a way to have some fun;
• and finally, sometimes these openings offer good practical chances over the board, even though the opening books frown on them. 

That said, I expect to lose some games against strong players because they will find the best moves and beat me.  The same thing could also happen if I play Caro-Kann, but that would be much less fun. 

@melvinbluestone that's a lot of great stuff, I will look at it carefully in the morning.

@algorab, that's a hilarious line, I never considered playing it seriously as Silman does.  Worth a look. 

That Patzer Scandinavian may be too unsound, but it seems popular.  I've had at least 70 games with it as White and not too successful for Black playing it.  Here is a recent example.

Sure, I've played against it too but never against a strong opponent.  Have you ever encountered Silman's recommended handling of the opening?  I've summarized it below for ease of reference. 

It's interesting Here there's a continuation of the Patzer Be2 line from Houska's book :

and here there's an equivalent mainline Scandinavian line where Black has moved two more pieces (and already W is a tempo up by default because of the Nc3 hitting the Queen move ) so much for the soundness of the Patzer variation

I'm very grateful for all this wonderful feedback.  There are some great ideas in this thread. As Black, I'm going to try the following. 

• 1.e4 b5?!
• 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6?!
• 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qe5+?!

I still need ideas against other first White moves besides 1.e4, and I need more  ideas for White. 

Remember that I am looking for unsound moves where I am theoretically much worse, but where my opponent won't know what to do and I have practical attacking chances. 

1. a3

1.f3

1. Na3

Absolutely.  I fully expect to have a high winning percentage.  Let me give you an example to show what I'm talking about. 

You could try the Orang Colorado Gambit with the moves

1.b4 e5 2.f4

See attached game.

Best Regards
DarthMusashi

Also possible is the Medusa Gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g5

. See attached
game.

Best Regards
DarthMusashi

exf7? call it illegal and make him forfeit!

An interesting opening to try is the Omega Achilles Gambit 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4.
See the attached games.

Best Regards
DarthMusashi