Are there any other decent openings vs e5 (1.e4) besides the Lopez, Italian & Scotch? - Page 2 - Chess Forums

Perseus · 07-22-2007, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by bettermove2

How come noone has talked about Petrovs defence. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 etc ?
(or have I overlooked a post on it- if so I apologise!).

This is a big opening -and from my limited experience very playable and respected (many GM games) for Black and White.
Check out Anand's games. I think he knows a lot about this opening partly stemming from his very early quick loss to Zapata with this in, at the time, a record no. of few moves for a GM loss. He now seems to be quite handy with this opening and learnt from his mistakes! (Shirov is pretty good with Petrovs especially I think as white).

Anyway I quite like playing it as White and if you are very bold try the Cochrane gambit- (4.Nxf7) it usually makes your opponent think for a minute or two, but be careful! The only GM game I know in this was Topalov vs Kramnik 1999 draw. I guess there must be more but it is a tad risky at any level! (IMHO).

Because we are talking about white openings, not black defenses, after 1. e4 e5.

Off-topic:
The Philidor is just not such a good defense compared to the 2. .. Nc6 and the Petrov. It gets terribly passive in all variations I've seen. Black sets up an inactive fortress in the Hanham lines, that can be tough to break. The Philidor Countergambit is a disaster. The main move 3. d4 exd4 can be met by 4. Qxd4 and white will transpose into a very nice Ruy Lopez.
The Petrov is good at all levels, but not to everyone's taste.

bettermove2 · 07-22-2007, 10:00 AM

Hi Perseus

I understand what you say about white openings and black defences. However in my opinion when as white you play 1.e4 you have very little control over what opening (&/or defence)results!
Black determines the way forward and by playing 1....e5 black more or less forces white to consider Lopez Italian Scotch KingsGambit Vienna Philidor Petrov Caro Kann and then certain other gambits (Elephant & Latvian and any other!).
I think playing 1.e4 as white is amazing, as black of course doesn't have to reply 1....e5 and then you can get into Sicilian French Scandinavian Pirc Modern and many other openings. So if as white you play 1.e4 then you can get into any one of many fine classical openings (with black mainly determining which way the game goes). It would not be wise I think to view openings and defences as totally seperate as I feel they do have a link.

Regarding the Philidor, GM Bacrot plays it well and ask Jim West about the Philidor countergambit (he likes it). Most openings and defences can be good if you know enough about them (ie more than your opponent and if you can think and adjust to novelties and going out of book then you will play well of course).
Of course as you say a lot of opening play depends if the openings suit your own chess playing style and so taste.

Best wishes

Chamaco · 07-22-2007, 10:16 AM

Bettermove, the poster was referring to WHITE's options, not Black's.

The Petroff is indeed quite a reliable game, at any level, but it's a Black's choice of course

bettermove2 · 07-22-2007, 11:38 AM

Chamaco
Thanks for your clarification which I think I understand (and was aware of from the start-so apologies if that was not clear in my original post). I was just remaking my point that White's options here are very largely influenced of course by Black's actions! Indeed the Petrov is blacks choice here and white then has to respond....
Enough said. Happy playing to you and all here

Perseus · 07-22-2007, 08:48 PM

We're clear that we were talking about 'decent openings, after 1. e4 e5 excluding the Ruy Lopez, Scotch Game and 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 (which the topic starter calls the Italian).

So far mentioned:
- Ponziani:
- Danish Gambit / Goring Gambit / Center Game
- Four Knights Game
- King's Gambit
- Bishop's Opening
- Vienna / Vienna Gambit

Offtopic:
The PCG is something I have never failed to win against, having played a number of games in it recently. Key IMO is to play 4. Bc4, don't ask me why, it seems to suit my style far better than 4. Nc3..
Another reason why I prefer 1. e4 is that none of the defenses disturb me very much and I'm ready for all of them.

Malbase · 07-23-2007, 11:17 AM

The King's Gambit is not exactly an opening for everyone.
And for those who intend to play they have to know it.
I have a Thread on the KG elsewhere on this site.
A good try is the Russian Opening (Petroff or Petrov).
The Two Knights at the club level may work. But you really have to go over it.
There is a book by Sozin on the subject.