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What is the

What is the "Lion"?

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I saw a tourney post w/ this term "Lion"
Is this a planned opening?

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Originally posted by Wasted King
I saw a tourney post w/ this term "Lion"
Is this a planned opening?
If you click on the tournament, you will see both a diagram with the position and the tournament description will include the moves to get to the position...

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found it thanks
"Lion defense, Lion's Claw variation"

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Originally posted by Wasted King
I saw a tourney post w/ this term "Lion"
Is this a planned opening?
The Lion Opening is played by Black against virtually all openings. The key moves are: 1...d6 2...Nf6 3...Nbd7 4...e5 5...Be7 6...O-O 7...Re8 8...Nf8 9...Ng6

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In "Lions" thematic tournament they are playing position which rises after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7

The same position rises in Philidor defence after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nf3 Nbd7 and its called Hanem (as I know there was such player in 19th century) line. Its one of my main best well-known schemes against 1.e4 and I prefer using first move order (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7)

There is only one minus - after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 white can exchange on e5 and on d8, and this line with early exchange of queens could dislike someone. But anyway black can equalise this position.

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Originally posted by gaychessplayer
The Lion Opening is played by Black against virtually all openings. The key moves are: 1...d6 2...Nf6 3...Nbd7 4...e5 5...Be7 6...O-O 7...Re8 8...Nf8 9...Ng6
6...O-O 7...Re8 8...Nf8 9...Ng6

This is incorrect. Black generally castles Queenside. Consider this position...



(1.e4 ..d6, 2.d4 ..Nf6 3.Nc3 ..Nd7 4.Nf3 ..e5 5.Bc4 ..h6 6.0-0 ..Be7 7.Re1 ..c6 8.Be3 ..Qc7)

You then see the trademark Knoght manouver. For example...

9.a4 ..Nf8

This is followed by ..g5 and then ..Ng6 ..Nf4 and much later 0-0-0.

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Originally posted by Korch
...There is only one minus - after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 white can exchange on e5 and on d8, and this line with early exchange of queens could dislike someone. But anyway black can equalise this position.
Statistically, black performs better after the Queen exchange so there's not much to worry about there. Once a whole is created on c7 for the black king, Blacks King is better positioned for the end game. Without the Queens on the board the need to castle is greatly reduced. Once a couple of exchanges of minor pieces has taken place the natural strategy is to bring the kings to the center, at which point Black is better! 😉

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Originally posted by Marinkatomb
6...O-O 7...Re8 8...Nf8 9...Ng6

This is incorrect. Black generally castles Queenside. Consider this position...

[fen]r1b1k2r/ppqnbpp1/2pp1n1p/4p3/2BPP3/2N1BN2/PPP2PPP/R2QR1K1 w kq - 0 9[/fen]

(1.e4 ..d6, 2.d4 ..Nf6 3.Nc3 ..Nd7 4.Nf3 ..e5 5.Bc4 ..h6 6.0-0 ..Be7 7.Re1 ..c6 8.Be3 ..Qc7)

You then see the trademark Knoght manouver. For example...

9.a4 ..Nf8

This is followed by ..g5 and then ..Ng6 ..Nf4 and much later 0-0-0.
In this position black (at least in higher level) is castling kingside. You can check databases to make sure for it.

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Originally posted by Marinkatomb
Statistically, black performs better after the Queen exchange so there's not much to worry about there. Once a whole is created on c7 for the black king, Blacks King is better positioned for the end game. Without the Queens on the board the need to castle is greatly reduced. Once a couple of exchanges of minor pieces has taken place the natural strategy is to bring the kings to the center, at which point Black is better! 😉
It isn`t so simple. I have been played many games in this line and can say that black can have troubles if they doesnt play accurate. Also if white is playing solid than black can get no more than equality.

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Originally posted by Korch
It isn`t so simple. I have been played many games in this line and can say that black can have troubles if they doesnt play accurate. Also if white is playing solid than black can get no more than equality.
Don't get me wrong, i'm only too aware of how much work black has to do in this line, i've played it a lot myself and if i'm honest, it doesn't really suit my style. Basically what i'm saying is black has nothing to fear from a Queen exchange/loss of castling rights, if he plays accurately (obviously...)

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Originally posted by Marinkatomb
Don't get me wrong, i'm only too aware of how much work black has to do in this line, i've played it a lot myself and if i'm honest, it doesn't really suit my style. Basically what i'm saying is black has nothing to fear from a Queen exchange/loss of castling rights, if he plays accurately (obviously...)
Then I can only agree with you - queens exchange isnt best way to get advantage for white.