Why would Seraiwan play 1.c4 instead of 1.Nf3?

Sort:
Avatar of Perlimplin4
Ok, first I started playing 1.c4, then I saw GMs like Kramnik and Ulf Andersson with 1.Nf3, and one of the reasons to take 1.Nf3 over 1.c4 is that you avoid the reverse sicilian, which is regarded as a pretty good defense against 1.c4. So for reasons of simplification I went for 1.Nf3 instead of 1.c4.
With that in mind, I don't understand why most of Seraiwan games in his chessgames database start with 1.c4 (and he has a higher win percentage with that than 1.Nf3). Was Seraiwan very well prepared against the reverse sicilian? Or is there any other more subtle reason?
Avatar of MickeyDeadGuys

Uh, isn’t the reversed Sicilian something white plays?  Typically with 1. c4?  What are you meaning by that.

Avatar of Perlimplin4
How is the reverse sicilian something that white plays if it's totally up to black to play 1...e5? It's 1...e5 that triggers the reverse sicilian.
Avatar of poucin

When u play 1.Nf3, ok u avoid 1...e5, but u prevent u to play some systems without Nf3...

For instance, u can go back into QGD exchange with Nge2, or u can play Seirawan variation against KI (with Bd3-Nge2), or openings with f3/f4, etc...

If u play Nf3 against any black defence, then sure it should be your choice, but if not...

Avatar of UlftheWolf

It is a matter a taste I guess. I’d say 1.c4 has more chances for a complicated game as it avoids exchanges. 1.Nf3 usually allows a “simpler” game.

Avatar of UlftheWolf

A possible advantage of 1.Nf3 could be that it was Ulf Andersson’s favourite first move wink.png wink.png

Avatar of pfren

Quite simply: 1.c4 is not necessarily followed by Nf3 after a while, and vice versa.

And of course both moves are equally good.

Avatar of WhereDoesTheHorseGo
There are times you don’t want a Knight on f3 in the English. Sometimes you want it on e2.
Avatar of comooooo

saw a seirawan lecture on the english were he said that this was the opening that made him big, because he started at the relatively late age of 12 with chess and steard away of too much theory with it - friend of him got mad because he always played Rb1 followed by b4 and queenside pressure and won lots of games with this simple planhappy.png

Avatar of Nic_Olas

Yasser Seirawan is still a pretty strong player and is really versed on his openings. If you watch any of his commentary at the St Louis chess events on YouTube, this becomes clear straight away. Even in the Sicilian, which he admits he doesn't play, he points out thematic ideas and sacrifices. I generally prefer 1.nf3 myself but there is nothing wrong with 1.c4 at all. You can get some good games with it.