Eventually one of these "strange" opening moves came in a regular game, and I didn't know how to handle it. The f4 pawn stood well during the whole game and restricted me.. So, I realized I must have wasted my chances to counter properly.
I wonder how to meet f4. Is perhaps an e5-break appropriate at some point?
Feels like an opening where you can get sweeped off of the board if you don't know it..
Originally posted by Golub Eventually one of these "strange" opening moves came in a regular game, and I didn't know how to handle it. The f4 pawn stood well during the whole game and restricted me.. So, I realized I must have wasted my chances to counter properly.
I wonder how to meet f4. Is perhaps an e5-break appropriate at some point?
Feels like an opening where you can get sweeped off of the board if you don't know it..
One possibility is the From Gambit. There's currently a thematic tournament about it in progress, Tournament 793. I must say that after three rounds I still don't like the opening, no matter whether I play Black or White...
Originally posted by Golub Eventually one of these "strange" opening moves came in a regular game, and I didn't know how to handle it. The f4 pawn stood well during the whole game and restricted me.. So, I realized I must have wasted my chances to counter properly.
I wonder how to meet f4. Is perhaps an e5-break appropriate at some point?
Feels like an opening where you can get sweeped off of the board if you don't know it..
The From Gambit is a great equaliser, IMO. Ratings kind of go out the window when it's played.
Originally posted by Ragnorak The From Gambit is a great equaliser, IMO. Ratings kind of go out the window when it's played.
D
For some mysterious reason, it also seems to make players with a significantly higher rating than their opponents blunder their queen (very useful if you are on the receiving end). 😉
Originally posted by Nordlys For some mysterious reason, it also seems to make players with a significantly higher rating than their opponents blunder their queen (very useful if you are on the receiving end). 😉
I've recently discovered 1. f4 via IM Tim Taylors book "Bird's Opening"
He actually makes a very good case for employing it:
1) Its unusual. You are more likely to be in your own prep than your opponents.
2) Its a Dutch defence WITH AN EXTRA TEMPO!!!
3) It has some very sharp lines and some very positional lines - enough to suit all tastes
4) From's nothing to be afraid of if you are prepared to spend a little time learning the safe route through and actually can give white a significant plus.
Personally I like it because I enjoy the positions it produces, I dislike 1. d4 and very strangely have never felt truly comfortable with 1. e4.
Originally posted by Redmike Swings and roundabouts - Game 1550973
Lol. I guess I'll have to take out the "with a significantly higher rating than their opponents", and just say "For some mysterious reason, it also seems to make players blunder their queen".
According to Taylor's book, the From declined is not good for white.
You have to be prepared and learn the accepted From. If you avoid the one-move threats, which is all the From really is, (albeit a lot of them in quick succession) white will have a significant plus.
Bird's opening is simply the Dutch defense with a move in hand, and it has an aggressive potential that Tartakower, Nimzovich, and later Larsen showed to be worthy of anyone's opening repertoire.
For an unprepared opponent, it rules.
Originally posted by Tengu 2) Its a Dutch defence WITH AN EXTRA TEMPO!!!
I disagree - in the Dutch white has already commited a pawn, whereas in Bird's opening black doesn't have to play 1. d5, MCO edition 14 give 1 ... c5 as "the professional's response". The difficulty with 1.f4 is that it more or less gives up white's opening initiative - but then again how many grandmasters do you play?
1. f4
07 Mar '06 19:342 edits
Back to Top