Aljechin 1.e4 Nf6. Scandinavian 1.e4 d5. Dutch 1.d4 f5. Trompovsky 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5. Larsen/Nimzowitch 1.b3. Bird 1.f4. Nimzowitch 1.e4 Nc6. Thigorin 1,d4 d6 2.c4 Nc6. QGA 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4.
What are some underestimated openings/defenses?
Sort:
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 a6
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 f5
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d5
1 e4 Nc6
1 e4 a6 2 d4 b5
1 e4 b6
1 d4 h6 2 e4 g5
1 d4 b5
1 d4 Nc6
the Lasker Defense should be playable but I have never seen it in a game played after the time of Lasker and I almost forgot it existed
ConfusedGhoul wrote:
the Lasker Defense should be playable but I have never seen it in a game played after the time of Lasker and I almost forgot it existed
Anand, playing black, used the Lasker Defense against Topalov in the 12th and final game of their 2010 World Championship match. That's about as high-level as you can get!
It's not the most common variation, but Carlsen, Caruana, Nakamura, Aronian, et al, have all played it from time to time
Albin Countergambit. I've studied the opening and no matter what, I still somehow lose to it. It's very tricky like a Stafford but surprisingly with little studying on the Stafford, I do quite well against it never losing once (out of 5 games)
St George Defence , Ware Opening , Konstantinopolosky Variation of Kings Pawn , Basman Defence , Carr Defence etc.
EKAFC - have you tried playing 3. e3 against the Albin? You’ll usually get some French type of structure with the colors reversed and white with an extra tempo. That or white gets a favorable (I think) IQP position.
The Scotch Game
Nov 20, 2021
0
#14
Ginarook wrote:
This one, don't know if it actually has a name or not.
1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.nc3 pxp
4.nxp nf6
5nxn exf6
that's a caro mainline wdym
Nov 20, 2021
0
#16
Ginarook wrote:
Where did you get that from ?
Here ?
the explorer -_-
benko
Nov 20, 2021
0
#18
Ginarook wrote:
Where did you get that from ?
Here ?
well first of all e4 c6 is the caro kann, a mainline opening, top four defense to e4.
and d4 d5 is the point of c6.
Nc3 dxe4 is the main move for white. Now Bf5 is the mainline, but Nf6 is also a good move, played by bent larsen a lot and other caro kann players. and after Nxf6 both exf6 and gxf6 are legit moves.
B1ZMARK wrote:
Marcyful wrote:
The Scotch Game
no
That's from the opening explorer which only counts master games. The OP wanted to know which openings are underestimated on OUR level.
Nov 21, 2021
0
#20
I agree - the Scotch Game is Way underrated - It was played in a world championship between Karpov and Kasparov. Karpov likes the Schmidt Variation :
In which both sides, from my small exp. need to be a Real good tacticians - one mistake and it's "oven" - you're toasted.
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If Black plays the main line:
from my small exp. in normal-humans terms, Black's queen may get completely bamboozled, perhaps even captured [assuming White diverts a bit from the main line - confusing the audience, especially playing f4 (- not f3 like a little nerd - as shown above)]. you just kick his queen like a soccer-ball for about half the game. (and not to mention f5 f6 - embarassing the monarch).
Not on top ultra super GM level obviously, but for us mere mortals