Napoleon Opening

Not for the first time at blitz I've just been thrashed.
How do you deal with it?

1. e4 e5
2. Qf3

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Not for the first time at blitz I've just been thrashed.
How do you deal with it?

1. e4 e5
2. Qf3

nf6 ain't bad

Originally posted by michael liddle
nf6 ain't bad

thats what I played
I think one game went
2 .... Nf6
3. d3 Bc5
4. Nc3 0-0
5. Qg3 Re8
6. Bh6 g6

then he marched the h-pawn

Old farts tend to deceive children with 2. Qf3 and pralines.
Next time say "Hey, old man, why do you have the so big eyes?" and try him out:::

1. e4 e5
2. Qf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. d3 Nd4
5. Qd1 d5
6. exd5 Nxd5
7. c3 Ne6

or, next time,
5... b5!?
6. c3 bcx4
7. cxd4 exd4 or
6. Bd5 Nxd5
7. exd5 Bb7


Look at those games:::

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Not for the first time at blitz I've just been thrashed.
How do you deal with it?

1. e4 e5
2. Qf3

People that play 2.Qf3 are usually

a. People who haven't got a clue
b. Tactical players (often stronger than you) who are looking to take you out of any preparation.

If can be effective in quick game as numerous threat can be delivered and defending is one of the hardest skill.

The best method to combat this is to note your weak spots and make sure that they are well covered.

*f7 Pawn

This is weak and is often attacked with Bc4 and possibly Ng5 as well. Sometimes the queen can swing over to b3 hitting the b7 and f7 pawns simultaneously. Shield f7 with Nf6 and make sure that f7 is sufficiently covered.

*g7

The queen on g3 can hit this pawn and if you are castled beware of the pin on h3.

*Bg5

Some times this pin will allow white to smash blacks kingside pawns by taking on f6


The weakness with the queen move(Qf3) is that it exposes a valuable piece which can be kicked around. Tempi can be gained by kicking the queen with moves such as Nd4 which then targets c2 and Bg4. if the queen heads for b3 sometimes it can be hit with Na5

Qf3 also wastes valuable tempi in the opening which could be used to sort out castelling.

THERFORE-

a. Sort out your king safety
b. take advantage of whites underdevelopment and chase the queen to gain more tempi

NB Watch out for cheapos

Originally posted by kingshill

People that play 2.Qf3 are usually ... NB Watch out for cheapos


nicely summarized view, thanks.

There are a few typos in my post. It should be h6 and not h3. There are others in there but this is the most significant

*g7

The queen on g3 can hit this pawn and if you are castled beware of the pin on Bh6.

Originally posted by kingshill
People that play 2.Qf3 are usually

a. People who haven't got a clue
b. Tactical players (often stronger than you) who are looking to take you out of any preparation.

If can be effective in quick game as numerous threat can be delivered and defending is one of the hardest skill.

The best method to combat this is to note your weak spots and make su ...[text shortened]... e of whites underdevelopment and chase the queen to gain more tempi

NB Watch out for cheapos

Agree. Good summary. As black, I welcome white 2.Qf3.