The usual ideas dependent on an early Nf3 are those mentioned--the Two Knights' and the Wing Gambit. If White isn't aiming for one of these and doesn't exchange or go into  KIA, then you can at least prevent him from transposing into the main lines.

White also has 3.e5, intending 3...c5 4.d4 transposing to the line 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3 (more common is 4.c3 there) although on the Chesslive.de database White scores abysmally after 4...cxd4 when Black will play with two centre pawns vs. White's one.

Pale Horse, Pale Rider wrote on 03/31/13 at 11:31:28:


Hallo.
I cannot see one "big" problem with 2.Nf3, if I except regular lines from the KIA, the Exchange... White has dismissed.
2.Nf3 is a good move, often used by White with "classical" strategy (mainly quick development), sometimes tainted with the gambit style (the wing gambit).
KIA is now difficult to play after 2..d5 (3.d3?!) ... that's why the "classical two knights variation" appears with 3.Nc3 or 3.e5 (where the addict will prepare his 4.b4 move as a surprise reply to 3...c5 ; Black can try 3...Bd7!? 4.d4 c5 - 4..a6 5.Bg5! - 5.dxc5 Bxc5 6.Bd3 Adamovic, S.-Obradovic, D. Belgrade 2006 ; Berthold, Thomas-Suliga, Eckhard Deggendorf 2008)

Or the wing gambit - 3 e5 ^ b4 and then normally d4 at some latter stage. Not awful and especially not as such gambits go.

Or I guess can go 3 e5 ^ d4 and get one of those Nimzo style advance variations.

Come to think of it, 3 d3 is probably the most 'maintstream' follow up.

Hallo Everyone,

i just had a series of Blitz games in which my my opponent played the sicilian against me and after a few games he switched to 1. e4 e6, to which I accidently replied with 2. Nf3, expecting another sicilian. The game continued 2...d5 3. exd5 exd5 reaching a very standard french exchange position. However this got my wondering if there is some kind of problem with 2. Nf3 except having to play the french exchange. So I wondered if what other black possibilities black has after 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3:

2...c5 transposes to an open sicilian
All other moves seem to be very seldom, I can find:
2...b6 which should be some very standard english defence position after d4
2...Nc6 which I guess should be answered by 3. d4 as well, which already seems kinda offbeat (the position was reached in Steinitz - Bird, 1866 appearently)
2...g6/h6/Nf6/a6 have been played once. Nf6 Doesn't seem to be terribly silly, though I have no idea about the Alekhin defence and i have no idea if after 2...Nf3 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 the move e6 is generally useful or just a waste of time.

So I guess 2. Nf3 is playable for players who aim to play the exchange variation of the french and also have to open sicilian in their repertoire? Most of this is most probably pretty clear to everybody else but got me interested, since I'm not a e4 player. Am I missing something important here? And on the other hand are there any positive aspects about 2. Nf3 which 2. d4 doesn't have? I guess there shouldn't be because everyone agrees that 2. d4 is the best move. Just wondering.