Should I learn e4?

@wonkercc Good Luck. Your grade will probably dip a bit when you dive in (new positions, new themes, new structures, there's usually something that only comes with experience), but as long as you keep improving your understanding everything else (including grade) will follow in time.

Here is a e4 variation that is very interesting

here is a free video link where you can learn

https://youtu.be/jwt01u53vds?si=8pliXdEcfYCCgY7G

As known for centuries, 8…Nxc3 is mistake and 9.Bxc3 is blunder. After 8…Bxc3 9.bxc3 d5 black is a healthy pawn up.

I play this but I go 8. Bb2. I seem to end up better but this one is fine also. I don't know if Q capture is forced. I'll look at it some more.

Thank you.

Apropos #26 to #29, I genuinely hate to be "that guy" when it comes to Romantic Nineteenth-Century Gambits. Because I love their sharp artistry. But anyone considering playing the Giuoco Piano Möller Attack really does need to find a Serious Opening Novelty Improvement on:

Is there such a novelty? I'm a bit out of touch on the Giuoco Piano and would love to be wrong.

they both fine, i play e4, but dont switch until you get 2000, or start tilting

Are you saying someone needs to improve that opening? Jesus man that is a tall order indeed. Someone needs to invent a better mouse trap also. It's about time, don't ya think? 😂

@Etymologist35 I'm saying I believe it's under a cloud thanks to the 8..., Bxc3 line I quoted, so unless there's been an improvement since I last checked the theory it needs something new if we're going to call it sound. Just that Möller line, not the whole Giuoco Piano.

Alright. So what is played here is the Möller line which is different than the Lasker line posted in the annotation after move 9. You wanna see if we can nail down a better line so black is not able to beat off the attack, as noted after move 13?

Am I on the right track?

@Etymologist35 The Möller Attack is characterised by the move 7. Nc3. The line from the Steinitz-Lasker game is within it. Neither that nor the "main line" I gave inspire much confidence for me as things stand.

E4 is the absolute best opening

IT WAS BOBBY FISCHER FAVORITE "BY TEST"

I play d4

E4 is a great opening in my opinion.

Are we all (myself included) getting a bit off the OP topic here; what with discussion of specifics of Giuoco Piano lines and general extolling of which first move is best? @wonkercc is the direction the discussion is taking still useful for you?

E4 PLAYERS: I am considering a thread but really just want to discuss 3. f5 during KG. This move is available, rather than 3. fxd5, after some common defense.

Any comments? Worth a thread?

3.f5 is certainly preferrable to fxd5: the latter is illegal.