I often seem to get confronted with a scenario similar to the following in the four knights defense (symmetrical variation), being a weaker player and playing weaker players at club level:
With white to move, what are the real options in this position? Does the undeveloped bishop belong on e3 after 7. Qe2, or is a pin on the knight on f6 better? And when (if at all) is it safe to occupy the d5 square with the knight?
Originally posted by rijnsburger I often seem to get confronted with a scenario similar to the following in the four knights defense (symmetrical variation), being a weaker player and playing weaker players at club level:
[fen]r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2np1n2/2b1p3/2B1P3/2NP1N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 7[/fen]
With white to move, what are the real options in this position? Does the undevel ...[text shortened]... he knight on f6 better? And when (if at all) is it safe to occupy the d5 square with the knight?
Can you show the move order to how you got to this position please.
As I am sure you have good alternatives before this position is reached
For example 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bc4 Black's best move here is simply 4...Nxe4!
Originally posted by najdorfslayer Can you show the move order to how you got to this position please.
As I am sure you have good alternatives before this position is reached
For example 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bc4 Black's best move here is simply 4...Nxe4!
I agree with this statement. I don't think anyone willingly goes into the guicco pianissimo short of a few people still learning the game who blindly adhere to basic opening principals. Personally after e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 I prefer to play either the "duffers move" Ng5 or 0-0 followed by c3, d3, Nbd2 and eventually d4.
Originally posted by zebano I agree with this statement. I don't think anyone willingly goes into the guicco pianissimo short of a few people still learning the game who blindly adhere to basic opening principals. Personally after e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 I prefer to play either the "duffers move" Ng5 or 0-0 followed by c3, d3, Nbd2 and eventually d4.
My preferred 1. e4 e5 opening is the Vienna Gambit, but it sometimes leads to this depending on black's move order and my own preference at the time (ie: after 1.e4 e5 2. Nc3 Bc5 3. Bc4 (I don't like 3. f4 in this position) d6 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 and our thematic quiet Italian position has been reached with no center fork trick playable.
Personally I'm fine with this position. Yes its very quiet but a little patience and cautious buildup can sometimes reap rewards. Having the advantage of the first move and its slight initiative gives white some tangible advantage. Not something I'd aim for from move one, but as a fallback when I can't get my preferred opening in, its fine.
And having been playing chess for 25 years I'm hardly some beginner, although this setup is common among beginners who are learning proper development but haven't yet made the leap to more dynamic openings. But that doesn't make the opening bad. Merely quiet, with only slight advantage that requires patience to nurture.