Nc3 Ngd7 d3
Ruy Lopez against black's response Qf6

An early Qf6 (as well as an early Qf3) is rarely good so any normal developping line is solid vs this move.


It slows down their ability to castle, so 4.Nc3, 5.0-0, 6.d4 is the ideal (because you open lines when your king is safer), but black should find a way to stop that... although if someone is bad enough to play Qf6 they probably wont. OK maybe the opening isn't that bad, but really, I don't imagine many good people playing this.
Also just because it's sub-optimal doesn't mean you should automatically win. That's a dangerous mindset that can set you up for poor play. Just aim for a good middlegame position, not a win right out of the opening. Very few openings are that bad.

Well, there is no straightforward punishment. In the position above it could continue like that:
White has a clear positional advantage here , eventually threatening to attack with d4, Nd5 and/or Bg5.

It looks easier to get an advantage than what it actually is. I see it and get excited that I should have a better position. But by castling kingside black normally gets a very good attacking position. In a way the above position plays right into his play.
I've encountered this a few times and lost almost every time.
It's a subtle move that's easier to misplay as white than it is black.
If I was an e5 player I would totally employ this as black.

I've faced it before and it's never been a problem.
I'm sure Carlsen (or any GM) would totally crush me from that position (or even worse positions) but I've been lucky not to have that problem
If you want advice, post a game or some analysis. Show us what kind of attack or move orders are giving you problems.
Does anyone have a solid and good line to play as white when black plays Qf6 in any of the open games, particularly the Ruy Lopez?
Any players who use this as black? What response do you hate seeing as a response to your Qf6 move?