Hello everyone!
A simple example of over-agressive play,
These moves have been played thousands of times...
1.e4 e5
2.Qh5?
Threatening Qxe5+
2...Nc6
Black easily defends e5 AND develops a piece. Such multi-purpose moves are always a good way to counter "queen out early" strategies.
3.Bc4
Threatening Scholars mate (4.Qxf7X)
3...g6
Stopping the mate threat. It is true g6 does not develop a piece and may prove weakening in some cases, but then again queen has to lose time for retreating.
4.Qf3
Again threatening Qxf7X
4...Nf6
Black (again!) defends (f7) and develops a piece.
5.Qb3?
Not giving up - threatening 6.Bxf7+ (THIRD queen move in the opening!)
5...Nd4!
In many cases the optimal response to a threat is IGNORING it! Black proves 5.Qb3? was nothing more than a shot to the thin air. He is ahead in development and shows why minor pieces (knights) are usually developed before queen. If now 6.Bxf7+? Ke7, queen has to move, but it has to defend Bf7! So, after 7.Qc4 there is a winning blow 7...b5! and Bf7 will fall. Is there anything better? Sure, but even after 6.Qd3 there follows 6...d5! and Black has decisive advantage.
- Finnpatzer
Originally posted by FinnpatzerHa! That was enjoyable. Thanks for the analysis, it will be a nice precaution against people trying scholar's mate against anyone but their 7 year old cousin.
Hello everyone!
A simple example of over-agressive play,
These moves have been played thousands of times...
Black (again!) defends (f7) and develops a piece.
5.Qb3?
Not giving up - threatening 6.Bxf7+ (THIRD queen move in the opening!)
5...Nd4!
In many cases the optimal response to a threat is IGNORING it! Black proves 5.Qb3? ...[text shortened]... re, but even after 6.Qd3 there follows 6...d5! and Black has decisive advantage.
- Finnpatzer
-mike
Originally posted by legionnaireYes, but it's surprising how often people try scholar's mate.
Ha! That was enjoyable. Thanks for the analysis, it will be a nice precaution against people trying scholar's mate against anyone but their 7 year old cousin.
-mike
Also, I used to try the Bc4, Ng5 trick to fork the Queen and Rook with Knight, but this only works on novices, I think (and maybe people who aren't paying attetion but you can't count on that 🙂