Created a new opening/opening theory: The Japanese Opening

In my journey to expand the Anderssen Opening's opening theory, I found a new opening variation which I'm naming, The Japanese Opening. Why that? Well, Japan has yet to have an opening named after it, the pawn structure loosely resembles the shape of Japan, and most importantly, it's a solid opening.

2. e3 is actually the third top engine response to 1... e5, but the top two, c4 and e5, turn the game into either a King's Pawn Opening: Mengarini Opening or English Opening: King's English Variation, respectively. 2.e3 still classifies the game as an Anderssen Opening. Alternatively, this opening set-up could also be attained by playing 1. e3 e5 2. a3, however, playing 1. a3 is a better way to ensure 1... e5 as that is the top engine move response as well as a natural opening move.

After 2. e3, Black's top response is 2... d5, which leads to a variety of responses. Here's just a few of them.

The Normal Variation

The Exchange Variation

The Advance Variation

The Hijōshikina ō Variation

And if Black goes 2... Nf6 instead of 2... d5,

The Hokkaido Variation

I've come up with a lot more, but these are the big ones. Feel free to discuss the opening's viability. I personally think it's really solid.

Yeah I think it is very solid and viable, and is a slight improvement to the French defense.

what are you talking about?! are you mad? the Anderssen opening sucks! it develops no pieces, does not attack flank or center, and wastes a move. PLEASE READ CHESS PRINCIPLES: OPENINGS

ranger22612, have you heard of the French defense? This is just playing the French defense as white, except the a3 would prevent black from executing certain main line moves, allowing some deep, subtle improvements and differences. I don't play the French so I am not familiar about what exactly the differences of having an extra move a3 is. I am on the phone app so I can't make a chess picture, but I made an opening too that I call the Very Good Opening. It goes a3 c3 d4 and can be played against almost anything. It is called the very good opening because the pawns looks like a checkmark. Against e5 d5, it is like an improved Caro Kann, against d5 c5, it is like an improved semi slav. However, against d5 Bf5 you get a bit of a problem, as you get a slightly worse London. The Japan opening is more solid because all the reversed positions are an improvement as far as I know. 1. a3 d5 2. e3 c5 3. b4 is another interesting line and recommended by stockfish cloud computing. Can I call it the Isekai opening?

I get what you mean, but a3 is pointless.

I prefer 1. f4 way better.

Actually, 1. a3 d5 2. e3 c5 3. b4! This opening shall be called the Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon, and I play chess to pass time, and I like to play the Japan opening. Living the life of a vending machine while being reborn in another world, killing monsters and leveling up, making new friends, selling chess sets and super computer engines from my vending machine, I want to level up and get better stats and new skills. The relaxing life of being reborn in another world, new adventure, start! Opening.

Just stop trying to be creative. You are making a fool of yourself. Give me your address and I will go to Japan with my friends and give you some good advice on how to play better.

Well when Stockfish tells you the best you can do with your funny little innovation is transpose DIRECTLY to the Black side of a Steinitz, I'd tell you to look for a better French to transpose into. Fortunately for you, I already did all that:

In these variations, not only do you force "White" into a worse sideline rather than the Mainline Steinitz, but you also keep the a3 tempo, which may prove very useful in some lines but is never useless.

Oo, I haven't studied that line yet. But you're right, it is really solid.

As for the name, The Isekai game has a nice ring to it, though I liked your Isekai Vending machine opening name idea too. Well, you discovered it, so you ultimately get the most sway on naming rights.

In terms of fun variations, I've actually got a few more,

Three Kingdoms Game

I call it that because of the pawn structure, but it's not the worst opening at -0.3 on the eval bar. And speaking of Three Kingdoms inspired references,

Red herring defense

Not the greatest opening, which is why it's a pun on Red Hare, the famous horse that was owned by Lü Bu.

Now if you want Three Kingdoms Game where you can bring out the knight,

Red Hare/Sekitoba Defense

It probably wouldn't be used in high level play, and the knight will be moving around a lot, but this is more of a "fun" opening.

So managed to play a game with the opening, and well I'm not the greatest player out there, but still managed to win.

It's definitely viable, I'm just not the best to showcase it.

Yeah we need a player who is very good at the French Defense to play the Japan opening well. I've been to Japan. Nice place.

1. e3, Van't Kruij's opening, is the "improved french defense". With a3 it basically becomes the St. George defense as white.

It's hard to get behind naming an opening that hasn't reached at least some level of popularity, or proven itself to be noteworthy and distinct enough to warrant a name. But coming up with personal names for different positions can be useful for remembering them to yourself.

i was going to say that looks nothing like japan but then i remembered the dragon

japanese opening gets a fat w at 2300 online. Officially online-approved!

Very excited to see where this is going. Please like and subscribe for more immersive content.

Please. I beg you. Stop finding some variation in dubious openings and saying that you created an opening.

This one is equal though since its reversed french. I think it will get many players out of their comfort zone and will be a good choice if you like playing french. Other than that, I dont find a strong reason to play it.