The funny thing is that I'm playing Larsen at RHP right now. Purely by accident: I usually play French or Pirc, and in this game I replied d6 on e4 and went to the party; next day I was understanbly out of shape but decided that it is hardly possible to threw the game on the 2nd move and I can make it, so I looked at 2.d4 and thinking that I'm playing French naturally replied with 2...e5. I was very surprised when I saw the board next day😀
Game 655590
Originally posted by GambitzoidAre you saying that the Philidor Defense is refuted?
Yes, I have seen Bent Larsen's games, but then again he is one of the greatest players of all time...
Larsen won with his philidor because it was a novelty, I doubt that today you could beat a grandmaster with any type of philidor...
The philidor is definitely slower than 2...Nc6, and the fianchetto requires two moves so it is slower than a classic bis ...[text shortened]... s at our level, it is quite solid and valuable for drawing but its attacking chances are weak...
Originally posted by paultopiaI looked up the 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.[Nc3] Bg7 philidor after finding myself play 2.d6 over and over. At least some tough players has been beat with it
Right! The larsen attack it is. At least for the moment... worth a shot at least. Will certainly take my opponents out of book :-)
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1068705
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1090096
Funny though, I only found three Larsen games in which he uses this opening on chessgames.com (all draws by the way); after all, he did write a book called 'Why Not the Philidor?'. Here one against Tal
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1139887
Originally posted by gambit3By refuted I mean it wouldn't be used by top GMs. I'm sure you'd be hardpressed to find a 2700+GM who has played it in a significant match. Then again Spassky became world champion with the Kings Gambit in his arsenal, but certainly you wont find the philidor in any world championship match today.
Are you saying that the Philidor Defense is refuted?
Originally posted by GambitzoidWho gives a crap. No opening is drawish at our level. I mean, look at the percentage of games drawn by GM's vs. at an amateur level. I think that Larsen was one of the best GM's ever and he used it. He drew, but they were certainly not boring. If Larsen chooses an opening, you know for sure that you can get some fighting positions outta them!
By refuted I mean it wouldn't be used by top GMs. I'm sure you'd be hardpressed to find a 2700+GM who has played it in a significant match. Then again Spassky became world champion with the Kings Gambit in his arsenal, but certainly you wont find the philidor in any world championship match today.
Originally posted by GambitzoidI think I've already lost.
Follow Paultopia attempt the Larsen Philidor against me...
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Tell me something. People who play this king fianchetto stuff as black -- the larsen, the dragon, the KI, whatever. What on earth is black supposed to do after 6. Bg5? Resign? It seems like that move just forces weaknesses. If black lets it stay there, the fianchettoed bishop can be forced off at will. If black kicks it, it will have to be with ... h6, which then provides white a nice target for all his pieces and pawns.
This happens to me every time I try and play the dragon too.
(edit: I seem to have survived, but only because of tactical intervention)