Those annoying less common openings.

Michele Clack · Post by **Michele Clack** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:59 pm

Oh dear, what started as a much better season is suddenly hitting the buffers of less common openings. can anyone suggest idiot proof replies to the:

Petroff, Scandinavian and Alekhine Defenses.

All sensible suggestions greatly appreciated.

Michele

John Upham · Post by **John Upham** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:35 pm

1. d4 would be my recommendation!

James Coleman · Post by **James Coleman** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:53 pm

I knew someone would say that

But it would be impossible, and possibly even unhelpful to just recommend antidotes out of the blue, since the same system that may be idiot-proof for one person may be totally unsuitable for another.

You could try and get an overview of various different systems in order to get a feel for which one(s) you feel would suit your needs, ie. playing style, soundness, time needed to study it etc etc and then investigate in more detail the lines you think would be best for you.

If you are playing recognised lines against these openings the problem could be that those lines dont suit you or another possibility is that the cause of your losses does not lie where you think it does.

I wish there were a simpler answer but good luck !

John Hickman · Post by **John Hickman** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:53 pm

How about using the Four Knights thing against two of them?

Petroff 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3
Alekhine 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3

Against the Skandinavian...

1. e4 d5 2. ed Qxd5 3. Nf3 - then Be2, 0-0, d4 in some order and kick the Queen with c4 later on
1. e4 d5 2. ed Nxd5 3. Bb5 4. Bd7 4. Be2 - then Nf3, 0-0, d4 in some order and kick the Knight with c4 later on

Mick Norris · Post by **Mick Norris** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:23 pm

John Hickman wrote:How about using the Four Knights thing against two of them?

Petroff 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3

I've been playing the Petroff since 1991, and am always happiest to see 3 Nc3, it is what most weaker players essay

Ultimately, if you have problems against many defences to e4, you need to try d4, Nf3 or c4 - you'll learn a lot by changing, although your results go backwards for a while

John Hickman · Post by **John Hickman** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:56 pm

Mick Norris wrote: I've been playing the Petroff since 1991, and am always happiest to see 3 Nc3, it is what most weaker players essay

Well that'll teach me for taking recommendations off Nigel Davies DVD

Michele Clack · Post by **Michele Clack** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:53 pm

That's interesting about the Petroff Mick. Which line do you least like to see?

Mick Norris · Post by **Mick Norris** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:41 am

Any that quickly indicate my opponent knows their theory!

TomChivers · Post by **TomChivers** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:37 pm

Try the mainlines; they shouldn't be too hard to learn and should also be a bit better for white.

Tim Spanton · Post by **Tim Spanton** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:09 pm

Another two-for-the-price-of-one solution (well, sort of):

Scandinavian: 1.e4 d5 2.d4
Alekhine: 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4

I guess one could also add:
Petrov: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4
(Not quite the same thing but it has a similar feel.)

Ben Purton · Post by **Ben Purton** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:43 pm

I play e4 d5 Nc3 then if de d3, its quite a cool gambit if played correctly.

Ben

IM Jack Rudd · Post by **IM Jack Rudd** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:08 pm

Ben Purton wrote:I play e4 d5 Nc3 then if de d3, its quite a cool gambit if played correctly.

Ben

Yeah, it looks like it could be. I suspect the best response if you don't know it is 3...Nf6, which looks like it shouldn't be too troublesome for black.

Any prospects of getting some notes from you for Ledger v Purton, by the way? It was a nice game, and I'd like to see your comments.

Ben Purton · Post by **Ben Purton** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:50 pm

Ive only got CB Light... I can do it in text if your up for the conversion , let me know Ill do it tonight.

IM Jack Rudd · Post by **IM Jack Rudd** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:14 pm

Yes, I am.

Geoff Chandler · Post by **Geoff Chandler** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:56 am

Hi.

Don't worry about about what they play - let them worry about
what you are going to play.

Scandinavian.

1.e4 d5 You play 2.d4! Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.

Alekhine.

1.e4 Nf6 you 2.f3 they play 2...e5 you play f4 - Latvian Gambit.

Petroff

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 you play 3.a3.

Now you take on the role of the Black pieces and you are playing the Petroff.

They spend Â£14.95 on the book of the Petroff and end up playing against it!
This always cracks me up.

Good Luck.

English Chess Forum

Those annoying less common openings.

Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.

Re: Those annoying less common openings.