Hi Knight.
I think you and Robbie are discussing different levels of play.
Remember Robbie is talking about a raw beginner and opening a game.
At that level it's getting the pieces out and understanding why.
It's all about taking one step at a time.
Before we get to the stage about why we should defend the e-pawn the
student has to be shown examples of what happens should they let such an
important pawn go.
A student has 8 pawns he won't bother too much about losing one.
Then after seeing all your well chosen examples of the quick smashes
the student should be aware for the need to watch his f7 square, don't open
up the diagonal to the King and hold e5 not only because it losses central
control it means a Knight is allowed onto e5 and after seeing all the hammerings
he will realise the last thing he wants to see is a White Knight on e5.
Step by step, no jumping ahead. Two or three examples will not suffice.
10-20 as long as takes. You have to show examples of all the opening principles
being ignored and hammered. (the exceptions come later....much later).
You leave one stone unturned at this stage then that is the rock they will get hit with.
If, as I would have done, shown him the dangers of playing 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6?
I would not at this stage suggest 5.f3 as a White alternative.
......Not yet. We are nowhere near that stage.
Of course Robbie should never have mentioned 5.f3.
But this is the hole we write ourselves into. We try to cover so much when
saying northing is best. '5.Nc3 it protects the pawn and develops a piece.' The End.
We write for a higher level and the weaker players start asking questions.
We write for the basic player and the stronger players start suggesting moves
played by GM's in the same position.
Trying to mix and match the comments and you get both sides at you.
It's most likely best to pick a person and write for them. (I pick me when I was
learning - who better?)
Back to to teaching beginners:
At a later stage (a much later stage) when I have them reading the board
looking for unprotected pieces and checking all checks I may use 5.f3. Thus:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 {We know 5.Nc3 is the best move here. But White tries something different.} 5. f3 {Now rememer those games I showed you when Black played f6 to protect the e-pawn and White took the e-pawn anyway and won the Black Rook on h8.} 5... e5 6. Nb3 {Can Black play the same trick here? It's a different opening but the tactical ideas are the same in all openings.} 6... Nxe4 7. fxe4 {Now I ask can you play 7...Qh4+ 8.g3 Qe4+ and take the h1 Rook. Then let them think about it. I'm looking for No. If they say Yes.....} 7... Qh4+ 8. g3 Qxe4+ 9. Kf2 Qxh1 {....and look at me waiting for a dog biscuit....I tell them they must always look one move deeper, always look for the sting in the tail and show them.} 10. Bb5+ {Winning the Queen but taking it further.} 10... Qc6 {Showing here that it's best not to grab the Queen right away, though it's OK. But....} 11. Nc3 {Development first. It's the best move. In some cases it is even better than taking a Queen. Of course this comes after showing loads of games why losing a Queen usually means you lose the game...leave no stone unturned. Don't say 'winning the Queen' and that's it. One step at a time.}
How to open a chess game for beginners.
23 Apr '12 09:55
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