
Parham Attack 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5 ?! How to defend?
Today I will share some of my thoughts, analysis, games and knowledge about the Opening "Parham Attack" starting with 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5
As you can find in Wikipedia "The opening is named after American chess master Bernard Parham, the first master-level player known to have advocated it".
Well I found in my Database only one game of Mr. Parham (still active Player current 05.2012 FIDE Elo Rating 1859) from 1982. Is this after this game the Opening was named "Parham Attack" !?
The first two games 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5 where played back in 1905 and next one in 1972!
The first two games White won ... Here I present first game ever played:
Did You know that famous Tennis Player Boris Becker played “Parham Attack” against World Champion Garry Kasparov?
Here is a game of course from exhibition that Garry Kasparov won convincingly ..
but Garry Kasparov faced "Parham Attack" back in 1999 and only made a draw, but this time white had assistance of several Grandmasters ...
TOP Player Hikaru Nakamura (Current Elo 2775) employed it a few games back in 2005 and scored 50% as White. But as You can see his games he is very creative Player and as White he tried not so popular moves like 1.g3, 1.b3 ,1.f4, 1.e4 e5 2.f4 with big success.
What's the reason behind 2.Qh5 move?
I think that White hope for the most common from Black a mistake is 2... g6 ?? After that Black end up without Rook
And If not 2..g6?? then just hope to get a Scholar's mate on f7
If You want really improve Your chess skill You should avoid the moves like 2.Qh5?!
- Of course You can always win against some lower rated Opponent’s unaware of idea behind this move or against somebody who just learnt how the pieces are moving.
- Chess is creative game why You want try to win without making any single own move!?
- Try to develop mirror pieces and Castle as soon as possible!
- Not to develop so quickly the Queen ( as in these Opening 2.Qh5 and then Qf3)
What should Black play against 2.Qg5? I think there are at least a three good alternatives:
1) First very aggressive attitude sacrifice a e5 pawn for after 2..Nf6. I played it myself with success many times.
2) The best move 2..Nc6 (in my opinion) but then don’t forget to protect f7 square
3) Any others like a tricky move 2..Qf6 with reserved idea Bc5 and Qf2
If You have any Question fell free to ask via Comments
Thanks!