Originally posted by banx99EDIT (mis-read your post the first time)
what's the variation called usually after 4 or 5 moves in where black plays nf6 attacking the undefended e4 pawn and then white reponds with 0-0?
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4
This is the Open Variation. It was a favorite of Korchnoi, Black has active piece play, but his queenside is a bit loose. Sometimes the c7-pawn can be a game-long target for White.
Originally posted by adam warlockI never had this happen to me - although I did have a couple of people repeat the position once (presumably to get nearer the time control).
Yeah. In wikipedia they talk about that line and that's why I asked if it was fun. I mean if the other guy wants to just draw ge can do it right away.
I suppose most people won't go all the way to a chess club just to play an instant draw ... but, yes, if you absolutely have to win and you think you're opponent will draw at the first opportunity the Zaitsev is not suitable.
As White after 1.e4 e5, the Spanish is the best, most complex opening, and the only one (with the possible exception of the Scotch) that gives White the chance for an opening advantage.
As Black, the situation can be a bit frustrating as you seldom get to play the Lopez at most levels. If you like the quiet, positional lines of the closed Spanish, it can be disconcerting to face the Evans Gambit, the Scotch, the King's Gambit, the Vienna etc. which are all sharp, trappy openings. The good news is that with some hard work you can emerge from the opening with an advantage as Black in many cases against these non-Lopez openings.
Scott
Originally posted by banx999.h3 Na5 is the Chigorin variation.
i wonder
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf3
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 0-0
8. c3 d6
9. h3
what's the name of this variation so far?
9.h3 Nb8 is the Breyer variation (a Spassky favorite)
9.h3 Bb7 is the Zaitsev variation.
9.h3 Nd7 has different names depending upon who you talk to
9.h3 h6 is the Smyslov variation.