Originally posted by Sicilian SmaugIt's a very minor point, but I never say "good luck" to my opponent. To be honest, I don't want them to be lucky so I don't pretend that I do. :-) I will say "good game", etc. and shake hands.
i usually shake there hand and say 'all the best' or 'good game' or 'good luck'
I understand if some think this is taking things a bit too far. But for me, if I'm psyching myself up to win, then wishing my opponent luck doesn't fit in with that frame of mind.
exigentsky and ark13,
Why 1.Nf3?
A little background to frame the question.... Being somewhat new at this, I decided to enter a banded tournament to try out an openning against players of similar strength. Thinking that my opponents would likely know where the bodies are buried in the more popular lines--at least more than I do--I decided that the road less travelled might have fewer bumps and openned with the Reti in all four of my games as white. Much to my chagrin, my four opponents replied with four very different answers; Nc3, f5, d5 accepting the gambit on c4, and d5 declining the gambit on c4. In all four games I didn't feel like I got much out of the openning, actually I generally felt like I was struggling to survive the openning.
All of which has got me wondering, why 1.Nf3? It seems (from my VERY limited experience) that it's just an opportunity to tell black, "Go ahead and play whatever you want and get a good position!" Am I missing something here? Do you get an advantage with 1.Nf3?
Originally posted by leisurelyslothConsider what happens if White plays 1.Nf3 but doesn't go for the Reti. i.e. 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4. Such move orders influence the range of opening lines that Black can go for. e.g. the Budapest and Albin are avoided. Also, if Black aims for a Grunfeld, White may not commit a pawn to d4, e.g. 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3
Why 1.Nf3?
It's not that 1.Nf3 is significnatly superior/inferior to d4, it's more to do with the set of opening lines it helps to allow/avoid (e.g. the King's Indian Saemisch is ruled out by playing 1.Nf3). It's a matter of taste.
Originally posted by leisurelyslothOver 1500 players on here generally refer to databases, except POWERSHAKER, he's just naturally brilliant.
In all four games I didn't feel like I got much out of the openning, actually I generally felt like I was struggling to survive the openning.
D
Originally posted by leisurelysloth1.Nf3 is a flexible move. Nf3 is the second or third move in openings that begin 1.e4, 1.d4, and 1.c4. It conceals white's intentions, while keeping open most openings. White does not sacrifice the initiative, but gains information regarding black's plans prior to making a commitment.
Why 1.Nf3?
Do you get an advantage with 1.Nf3?
Of course, it is not the best opening for players that lack plenty of experience with 1.d4 and 1.e4, and it helps to have some experience with 1.c4 as well. But for players well-versed in several opening systems, it is more flexible than any other first move that white could choose.