Ruy Lopez: always full of fun
What're some fun (not really practical) openings to learn?
Sort:
Dec 17, 2022
0
#6
The Budapest gambit is always a fun opening to catch your opponents out of theory.
Dec 18, 2022
0
#8
Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack, 2...d5
Also known as Toilet Variation.
Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit
Here's one if you play the French - the Lastrank Gambit. 1.e4 e6, 2.d4 d5, 3.exd5 c5. It's probably unsound but I've played it with success in bullet games.
Black wants to trade queens in some variations. Of course you probably don't want to play it in a serious game. It's just for fun.
Dec 18, 2022
0
#12
I wouldn't recommend playing the englund gambit. It automatically puts black in a disadvantageous position if white knows the theory. Really not worth it in the long run.
Dec 18, 2022
0
#13
NoxiousBishop666 wrote:
I wouldn't recommend playing the englund gambit. It automatically puts black in a disadvantageous position if white knows the theory. Really not worth it in the long run.
White seldom knows the theory, it's worth a try every now and then. It's not worth it in the long run, but it is a great surprise weapon if black knows their stuff.
Dec 18, 2022
0
#14
Indeed. Obviously, the Englund Gambit has some serious drawbacks and I not appropriate for all rating levels. I have already moved on from playing it. Yet, there some compelling arguments to play it for a while.
While OP is rapidly climbing, at the time of this post is rated below 1000. The Englund definitely works at that level. Besides, the question was to suggest fun but not really practical openings. I believe the Englund fits that description.
Dec 18, 2022
0
#15
Duckfest wrote:
Indeed. Obviously, the Englund Gambit has some serious drawbacks and I not appropriate for all rating levels. I have already moved on from playing it. Yet, there some compelling arguments to play it for a while.
While OP is rapidly climbing, at the time of this post is rated below 1000. The Englund definitely works at that level. Besides, the question was to suggest fun but not really practical openings. I believe the Englund fits that description.
Agreed. Played it for years OTB (it was my only response to 1.d4) and only lost twice. It was a lot of fun. The drawback is that white is better if they know what they are doing.
Dec 19, 2022
0
#17
BlueHen86 wrote:
... the Englund Gambit...
Agreed. Played it for years OTB (it was my only response to 1.d4) and only lost twice. It was a lot of fun. The drawback is that white is better if they know what they are doing.
Playing trappy lines like the Englund has another, hidden cost.
Yes, if the opponent knows what he's doing and avoids the traps, you get a bad game. Arguably, that might be the BEST possible outcome for you, because at least you'll have to fight on in a bad position and maybe you'll LEARN something.
But if the opponent doesn't know what he's doing and falls into one of the traps, then you win the game and gain a few rating points, yes... but they are WORTHLESS rating points. In the long run you won't be able to hang onto them, because they don't represent any actual increase in your playing strength (which is what a chess rating is supposed to track) because you learned NOTHING from catching an opponent in a trap you are already familiar with.
If anything, your opponent (not you) has gained from your choice of opening line... he has lost the game and a few rating points, and been embarassed by getting caught in a known trap... but he LEARNED something from it.
You didn't.
Of course, not everybody values improvement-in-the-bush over points-in-the-hand.
Hey-o!
I play my family and friends a lot in chess and I want to learn a fun opening to surprise them, as they're catching on to my tricks. I know what some of the weird ones are like the Grob, Sodium, Orangutan, etc. However, I recently discovered the Queen's Pawn Opening, Amazon Attack (1. d4, Nf6 2. Qd3), and I wanted to know if there are any other obscure openings like this one. Any ideas?