Why doesn't everyone play 1.Nf3?
The September 2017 issue of Chess lists the top twenty openings compiled from a list of 2798 July games where both players were rated over 2400 Elo. One can not take position on this list too seriously because it is greatly influenced by how the openings are grouped. For example, all the Retis are grouped together, while English is separated into 1...c5, 1...e5, etc. Nevertheless, for what it is worth, some of the list entries are: 177 Retis, 122 Caro-Kanns, 121 King's Indians, 114 declined Queen's Gambits, 98 Najdorf Sicilians, 97 Slavs, 77 Nimzo-Indians, 70 1...e5 Englishes, 64 1...c5 Englishes, 63 Queen's Indians, 62 Closed Ruy Lopezes, 57 Berlin Ruy Lopezes, 56 Classical Gruenfelds, 55 Tarrasch Frenches, 48 1...Nf6 Englishes, and 44 Kan Sicilians.
Which statistics are you referring to?
Here are the stats for 2600+ players, according to Chess Tempo's database:
1.e4—wins 30.5%, draws 50.9%, loses 18.6%
1.Nf3—wins 28.9%, draws 52.2%, loses 18.8%
Don't forget that black as the so called 'informational lead' as well. If white uses 1Nf3 to try and get into a symmetrical English 1Nf3 c5 2c4, I think black can play a reverse Botvinnik I think - which I (subjectively) like. White has blocked his f - pawn as compared to 1c4. Yes, I know, swings and roundabouts etc 1Nf3 might also transpose into the more insipid d pawn openings as well. Overall it is flexible for white, but perhaps white loses some humph ?
Overall it is flexible for white, but perhaps white loses some humph ?
It's a solid first move. Stops black from immediately planting a pawn on e5. But it also allows black to play ...d5 without needing to make any concessions.
With 1.e4, black often has to make adjustments to get that central d-pawn thrust in (like playing ...e6 or ...c6 first).
Depends on what kind of game white wants to play.
These evaluations depend on a chosen engine and on the depth too.
They don't play it because too afraid of the beep beep counter attack 1.Nf3 g5!
Wow IM poucin is able to make open-minded jokes.
Have U tried it with various engines?
I see that Stockfish on lichess puts +0.1 to four moves 1. c4, d4, e4 and Nf3 (5 lines, d=40, Cloud).
To which I respond, who cares? Anyone who just uses an engine for their opening repertoire is going to have a weird repertoire.
They don't play it because too afraid of the beep beep counter attack 1.Nf3 g5!
Ok but after nxg5 Qxf7#!!!!!! Your only an IM What do you know. I am 400 points higher rated than magnus carlsen in rapid so i am obviously a superior player!
I see that Stockfish on lichess puts +0.1 to four moves 1. c4, d4, e4 and Nf3 (5 lines, d=40, Cloud).
U mean that all your analysis are done with engine online??
Then it is more pointless that i thought...
I see that Stockfish on lichess puts +0.1 to four moves 1. c4, d4, e4 and Nf3 (5 lines, d=40, Cloud).
U mean that all your analysis are done with engine online??
Then it is more pointless that i thought...
It means nothing, I just glanced how Stockfish on lichess evaluates the initial position.
Have U something to do except for monitoring my chess knowledges ?!? Get some students and teach them. It would be more productive.