Well databases says (at least the one I am looking at right now) that GM's and even lower rated players mostly answer with Nc6 (802 vs 39 for Nf6). Not only that, but statistically, they score the best with Nc6 (69% wins vs 64% wins).
I see that you are playing blitz mostly. Blitz might be a little different, as black might be checkmated easier if he is not careful after Nc6, but if the time is not a real factor, I believe there is a reason why most of the people prefers Nc6 and not Nf6.
As for playing passively, I don't agree, counter attack is ok, but in this case Nf6 allows a check and a pawn loss. You do get activity and because the queen is stranded so early in the middle of the board, the compensation is there, but still why would you do it when you can still counterattack his queen afterwards anyway. g3 is counterattack as well a move later...
Defending the Wayward Queen Attack
So it is worst because it teaches people to play passively instead of counter attacking.
I dont like passive because the accept answer looks very passive indeed.
Nf6 is only about counterattacking...noobs should be taught that there are 3 answers and that is the big picture building block they need. Its now up to the person to look at the merits in terms of smaller details of strategy but the bigger pie is the 3 answers.
Sure, there is the subject of Nc6/Qh5 and the high of scholars mate. There is more to it. But for strategy its about the big picture.
Noobs should be taught vs noobs discover on their own. I know that I have pretty much struggled to learn what I know on my own. No chess club, no coaches, just losing and figuring out how to develop my pieces with king safety in mind.
There is much more on the internet for instruction these days. I hope to take advantage of that!
There is much more on the internet for instruction these days. I hope to take advantage of that!
Not for educational. Nobody has time for that anymore. Pretty much everything, not just chess.
I go into a martial arts class and I demand how to kill someone in 3 secs. And if that doesnt work, what the next best fastest. You give me this chill ritual thing and you lose students. Only the parents are keeping them there...as probably babysitting. Its everywhere, 99% has been commodotized...like it has been said 'its halloween everyday'.
Which move is best? As chess players we are constantly asking ourselves this question. 2…. Nf6 or 2….Nc6, which move is best?
How this question is answered can define us as chess players. We can check the database, we can check the books. We can investigate what the great players of the past played in this position. Odds are that all of the above will say that 2….Nc6 is best.
Why then do I choose to play 2…Nf6?
In chess best is situational for example in a game between to Masters being down a pawn after the opening is like being down a point at the Seventh Inning Stretch at a MBL Game. In a game between two beginners being down a pawn after the opening is like being down a point at halftime at a NBA Game. The condition is the same you are down a point however the significants of that point is very different because the situation is different.
If a Master were to play the Wayward Queen Attack, they would not continue to move the queen about while falling far behind in development. A beginner will, as I showed in the game in post #6.
I believe that at my level Nf6 is the better move, because it induces the opponent to continue to move the queen while I develop. I am also able to castle while they leave their king in the center. Nf6 leads to a more tactical game while Nc6 seems more positional, beginners should play tactical games.
In chess which move is best is a function of who you are playing. Another consideration is what kind of game are you better at? If you do not like to be down a pawn, then Nc6 should be your move.
Can Nc6 be considered to be the worst move? Yes it can if you play it simply because it is what a Master would play in this position. Why is that the worst move? Because you learn nothing you do not consider the 3 options: Defend, Move, and Counter Attack.
I like Nf6 because playing it give my opponent weakness (Underdevelopment, an exposed queen, and a king lingering in the center) that I know how to take advantage of.
Is Nf6 the best move for you? That is for you alone to decide.
In the end you will be a better chess player if you spend a little time figuring it out, trying different moves when facing the same position, seeing what feels more natural instead of just saying the book says play x. Half of what makes a move good or bad are the people playing the game.
i played a game with 2...nc6!
I'm new to chess.com, and have been wading my way through a few wayward queen attacks. I've been having a bit of luck with 3...Qf6 - although, from reading this post, maybe I've just been getting lucky - maybe it takes folks off guard? I definitely like the look of 3...g6, I'll give it a go in my next few games. Thanks! Doug.
(I can't believe I missed the rook fork - 27...nf3+)
This is my Wayward Queen attack defense where I trap the queen.
i made some analysis on this. maybe some of you should check it out
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/how-to-actually-beat-the-wayward-queen-attack-my-analysis
You could play 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4 Qf6 4. Nc3 Bc5 5. Nf3 g6 6. Qg5 Nd4 7. Qxf6 Nxf6 8. Nxd4 exd4 9. Nb5 Bb6 10. O-O a6 11. Na3 O-O 12. d3 d6 13. Bb3 Re8 14. Nc4 Bc5 15. Nd2 Be6 16. Bxe6 Rxe6 17. Nb3 Bb6 18. Bg5 Nd7 19. a4 Rae8 20. Rfc1
Or you could play.
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4 Qf6 4. Nc3 Bc5 5. Nf3 Nge7 6. d3 d6 7. Nb5 Bb6 8. Be3 Ba5+ 9. Nd2 a6 10. Nc3 Qg6 11. Qxg6 hxg6 12. Ne2 *
When you blunder with b3 to block Wayward Queen, should you block with bishop or knight when hit with the check?
what do you mean you didnt add anything
How white got cooked for trying to Scholar's mate me.
Fun fact: on move 4 you could have won a piece by playing d5 instead of Nf6.
On move 8 you also could have won material with Nb4.
So it is worst because it teaches people to play passively instead of counter attacking.