How do I respond to this?

Originally posted by sh76
Bc5 is a fine alternative to Nf6, but it is not better. It is the Guico Piano (sp?) as opposed to the "two knights." I believe that Nf6 is considered slightly better on the whole, although it's more risky. Some people call Nf6 the "two knights attack" rather than the "two knights defense" even though it is played by black because Nf6 in the Italian game is more gives me a nice, comfortable position as white that I would be happy to play any time.

Why do you think 3... Bc5 is worse? The Evan's?

What about 3.. Be7

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
Play the O'Kelly, great for defensive wussies!

At the risk of sounding ignorant...

The O'what?

Originally posted by zebano
Why do you think 3... Bc5 is worse? The Evan's?

What about 3.. Be7

I can't cite chapter and verse, but I remember reading somewhere that Nf6 did better statistically than Bc5. Maybe someone can confirm this or show that it isn't so.

Originally posted by sh76
At the risk of sounding ignorant...

The O'what?

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6

Originally posted by sh76
I can't cite chapter and verse, but I remember reading somewhere that Nf6 did better statistically than Bc5. Maybe someone can confirm this or show that it isn't so.

3...Nf6 is better. You know the Knight is going to f6 so why not play
it right away and hit the e-pawn.

It's a fighters move but you must be prepared theorectically if facing
an over the 1800 mark.
It can explode into a tactical melee at any moment.

I'm totally against learning any opening parrot fashion but in this one
you must know the tactical shots. Working them out over the board
has proved beyond the grasp of most players.

Fire up your DB and look for 1-0 and 0-1 under 25 moves in the
Two Knights. You will see what I mean.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6

Sheesh!

a6???

I can understand it after Bb5 (the Najdorf), but before Bb5?

If you want a game that boring, you might as well play checkers.

Originally posted by sh76
Sheesh!

a6???

I can understand it after Bb5 (the Najdorf), but before Bb5?

If you want a game that boring, you might as well play checkers.

In the najdorf, it is played before Bb5.

1. e4 c5 2. nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 is the Najdorf (e5) or schevinegan (e6).

Originally posted by sh76
I can't cite chapter and verse, but I remember reading somewhere that Nf6 did better statistically than Bc5. Maybe someone can confirm this or show that it isn't so.

While DB statistics have their place, this isn't it. I'm looking for particular lines/ideas that make Bc5 bad. The only thing I can think of is that Bc5 allows the Evan's gambit which is annoying, but not terrible for black.

Originally posted by zebano
While DB statistics have their place, this isn't it. I'm looking for particular lines/ideas that make Bc5 bad. The only thing I can think of is that Bc5 allows the Evan's gambit which is annoying, but not terrible for black.

I don't know of specific lines, but Bc5 lets white keep the initiative and it's white who will dictate how the game develops. Nf6 hits the e4 pawn and thus challenges white to either:

1) mix it up in an unbalanced position that is rife with tactical possibilities for both sides with 4. Ng5

2) Play a passive 4. d3 and thus pass up a lot of white's initiative

3) Play d4 or Nc3, both of which can lead to a black advantage with questionable compensation

It just seems like Nf3 is the stronger response.

Originally posted by sh76
Sheesh!

a6???

I can understand it after Bb5 (the Najdorf), but before Bb5?

If you want a game that boring, you might as well play checkers.

Haha, well it's a matter of taste I suppose.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
Haha, well it's a matter of taste I suppose.

I know. I was just kidding around. Nothing's boring about winning, so people should play whatever gives them the best chance to win.