1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3
Anybody play it? Give any insight? A good weapon in class play 1000-1600? It looks strange for obvious reasons (3.c3 just seems passive and takes away a good square for the knight), but black can get into trouble early if he makes natural developing moves, and since it's such an offbeat opening chance are lower class players wouldn't know the lines. Even when black knows the lines the worst that happens is that they probably achieve early equality, but at lower class play this means chances for both sides, not just a boring draw :-)
i tried it for a little wile, never relli worked out for me
if u relli want to play c3 and take away that square for the knight, play ruy lopez or giuco (however u spell it) as it is actually a part of the move order and so doesnt relli lose any tempo or giv black an early chance to get a lead in developement
thats my stance on it anyways
Interesting, that's a good point. I don't like varying openings too much, but I can't seem to settle on a move after the basic 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6...I'm interested in the Ruy exchange, but it's strange that I each time I play 3.Bb5 black doesn't play 3...a3. Not that it's a bad thing, but it seems that black has a lot of responses that white needs to be prepared for. I also somewhat like the scotch with 3.d4, and I've blunder early couple times...which means I know what NOT to do...and that can be a good reason to keep up the Scotch. But...the Ponziani seems interesting to me too.
Originally posted by passedpawn22As someone who's faced it a few times with the black pieces, I would say it is playable but doesn't really cause any problems. Black's only real decision is whether to play a quiet equalising line or go for one of the sharper responses.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3
Anybody play it? Give any insight? A good weapon in class play 1000-1600? It looks strange for obvious reasons (3.c3 just seems passive and takes away a good square for the knight), but black can get into trouble early if he makes natural developing moves, and since it's such an offbeat opening chance are lower class players ...[text shortened]... quality, but at lower class play this means chances for both sides, not just a boring draw :-)
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Originally posted by Northern LadYeah, this is my reaction too. Playable for white (even if black knows the good lines), but black equalizes pretty easily. It does have the virtue that the main lines, while apparently about equal, aren't completely sterile and there's still room to outplay your opponent.
As someone who's faced it a few times with the black pieces, I would say it is playable but doesn't really cause any problems. Black's only real decision is whether to play a quiet equalising line or go for one of the sharper responses.
I had a friend who played it regularly and scored well at about 1600 USCF.
Originally posted by passedpawn223..d5 has put that old opening to bed..that's why it's not seen more often
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3
Anybody play it? Give any insight? A good weapon in class play 1000-1600? It looks strange for obvious reasons (3.c3 just seems passive and takes away a good square for the knight), but black can get into trouble early if he makes natural developing moves, and since it's such an offbeat opening chance are lower class players ...[text shortened]... quality, but at lower class play this means chances for both sides, not just a boring draw :-)
Originally posted by k17dudePI guess that would be good if all your looking for is to get a decent position out of the opening and not have to worry about prepared traps. It seems like at the class level this isn't a bad idea.
It's an opening that doesn't have much theory to it. I mean I know some of the lines and there aren't that many book moves until you're just playing one on one with your opponent
A Scottish player called Tim Upton used to play it the early 80's.
He took down a couple of GM's with it in the '82 Olympiad.
Never played it myself. There are 4 better moves in the position.
3.Bb5 3.Bc4 3.d4 and 3.Nc3
Also theory does not like it (which is a perfectly GOOD reason to play it).
If you try to refute it you may get into trouble.
(That's where Tim got most of wins from).
Play solid (Nf6 looks correct - d5 can wait till has more bite).
Originally posted by KorchThe dude on you tube mentions both of these. He actually thinks that 3...Nf6 is good for white because of 4.d4, playing a type of gambit. Some lines he shows looks like white can get a good game from this.
Well after 3...d5 4.Qa4 things does not seem so clear. In my opinion black can reach equality with 3...Nf6.
With 3...d5 4.Qa4, it's considered the main line, and your correct, it's pretty unclear and is a fairly sharp game.
Here's the links for you tube if anybody is interested:
&feature=related