breizatao wrote on 12/02/09 at 10:06:16:


The original poster was referring to a non-theoretical way to play for White. It is more difficult to find a non theoretical way to play for Black because not only does Black have to consider all of White's 3rd move alternatives (vs. White only having to prepare for the Petroff and Phillidor as well as 2...Nc6), but the non-theoretical approaches tend to give White some edge.

I agree that 3.d4 f5 and 3.Bc4 f5 are rubbish, and I honestly don't see the point in 3.h3/3.d3 f5 when 3...Nf6 and 4...d5 gives Black full equality without any effort. 

After 3.c3 f5, White keeps the edge with 4.d4! fe4 5.Ne5 Nf6 6.Bg5, and since 3...Nf6 4.d4 Ne4 5.d5 Ne7 6.Ne5 Ng6 is known to be completely equal with best play, 3...f5 deserves a ?! rather than an !?.

If Black wants something a bit less theoretical, he has to consider the Petroff/Phillidor or whether 1...e5 is right for him/her as a key requirement to playing 1...e5 successfully as Black is to be willing to learn the theory against all of White's serious tries, and avoiding these with dubious lines (by this I mean 3.Bc4 f5 rather than 3.Bb5 f5 which should only be +=) is not a solution. 3.Bc4 d6 and 3.d4 ed4 4.Nd4 Bb4 are better low-theory options.

Bumping this thread to get that irritating 1.e4 e5 2.b4?? thread off the top of the list.

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 or 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Be2. You have to be ready for 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Bb4, though.

alumbrado wrote on 11/23/09 at 09:09:36:


Along with the Ponz, this would have been my recommendation.  Simple, straightforward, and it's really Black who needs to know his/her theory, while White's game is fairly easy.

In the Bishop's Opening you can transpose directly into the Italian and there are other surprises you can pull.
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Bc4 Italian
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.Nf3 is the Italian, or even 3.b4!? looking for an Evans Gambit.
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d4 leading to the Urusov Gambit or Max Lange possibilty
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 c6!? is certainly interesting.

And I forgot about 3.d4 ed4 4.Bb5, which was covered in the latest SOS volume. I'm sure that objectively it is completely equal, but it's worth investigating as a secondary option.

MNb wrote on 08/13/09 at 21:11:36:


1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Qf3!

5. Bg5 is playable, too. 

I think it was Larsen that figured out 5. Qf3, I can't remember though.

3...Nf6 intending 4. Nc3 Na5, or 4. Nf3 with a transposition to a quiet line of the 2 Knights Defense is probably the way to go. At least that's the impression I got from when I put together my Bishop's Opening/Vienna repertoire.

Considering your (coincidentally the same as my rating) elo, I've found that at the 1750 Level that the Chess Openings for White, Explained repertoire is fine for this level. Yes, there are holes in it, but there is some room for experimenting and the Scotch Gambit (1.e4, e5 2.Nf3, Nc6 3.d4, ed 4.Bc4) can mess with many players, and they often transpose to slightly inferior gambit lines. Of course white is equal in many lines, but if your opponents don't know what they are doing then it is very easy for them to end up in trouble.