1. f4

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..

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..

Originally posted by Ragnorak
The From Gambit is a great equaliser, IMO. Ratings kind of go out the window when it's played.

D

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 am trying to figure out what black gets as compensation for playing Froms gambit...

1. A short term lead in development.
2. Open d & e files for his rooks/queen.
3. A wide open game.
4. Initiatiative.


However white has fairly easy development himself and should be able to make the extra pawn count.

Does anyone have examples of modern GMs using froms gambit?

Originally posted by leisurelysloth
Game 1747668 ?

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 leisurelysloth
Game 1747668 ?

The Bird is the Word.

Originally posted by Redmike
Swings and roundabouts - Game 1550973

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!!!

Sometimes the Bird goes well for black:

[Event "Clan league"]
[Site "http://www.redhotpawn.com"]
[Date "2006.03.07"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bird Fan"]
[Black "Lucky Man"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A02"]
[PlyCount "7"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]

1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 3. exd6 Bxd6 4. Nc3 *

Black to move, mate in three.