jaxpac wrote:
What is the worst first move for white and why?
In other words if you are playing black but you get to decide white's first move, what would you do to give yourself the best chance at a win? And what sort of response would you play as black to take advantage of your "worst" first move?
It is definitely 1. g4, which, according to some, loses. I doubt it loses but it's the weakest move. 1. Nh3 is completely playable and leads to an equal position.
I always thought it was 1. g4 and after testing with a computer I was right! 1. f3 gives black half pawn advantage, 1. f4 quarter point advantage 1. g3 gives white .25 advantage and 1. g4 gives black over a pawn advantage. There is no move the computer likes less than 1. g4