Defending Against the Bird: Middle Game and Endgame Aligns

Since I don't know anyone who plays the Bird (Opening) on a regular basis, I again turn to my rival Little ChessPartner, who did a good job, staying on book until 5. Bb5+. I decided to go for a Reversed Dutch position, and put pressure on the computer in typical Queen's Gambit Declined fashion.

What made me particularly happy about this game is that I didn't win it solely through tactics alone. After forcing a blunder that drops a pawn to a three-move combo in the middle game, I showed a touch of endgame flair by activating all my pieces, locking down White's position, and riding my passed pawn to victory.

I've been studying IM Silman's "Silman's Complete Endgame Course" for a week now, working through all material in his USCF Class B chapter, and I was able to apply some of the concepts here to win a won endgame, rather than letting the computer swindle a win or draw. I was feeling a bit of pressure with White's advanced pawn structure, so I'm sure I made slight errors, but I was able to claim the full point (D)

I always play the From Gambit, 1... e5.

Sometimes this happens :)

white has made a blunder, in the beginning itself.

kunduk

The Bird Opening was made popular by Henry Bird. It may no longer be considered a world-class opening, but it is very strong. And it is definitely a sound choice for players of any level.

As for this particular game itself, as I said, the engine stays on book for until the 5th turn, where it still makes a strong move.

rooperi

Interesting sample game. The opening is book until White plays 5. e4? and tries to counterattack with a tempo down.

I guess people don't usually try From's Gambit because it's very easy to transpose the position into a King's Gambit. Or I would probably just accept the pawn, but decline the second, as playing lines like the Danish Gambit and Scandinavian/Center-Counter: Icelandic Gambit have left a bad taste in my mouth after I accepted two pawns, only to give the material back later =/

But yeah, I could see myself make the seemingly logical 5. e4? as White and get creamed in the opening. In another practice session, I will have to give the Gambit a try.

But the thing to bear in mind is, From's Gambit is completely unsound and you can capture the two pawns, happy in the knowledge that you're going to have a material advantage for the whole game. If anyone doubts me, post a line and I shall refute it for you. 

Once I played a live chess game on CMlive.com (chessmaster live) and I had been studying a From's line that was totally unsound, but I prepared it for my opponent who plays the Bird. I have always lost to him so I was hoping to get my first win. After a few days of preparation with Chessmaster we played our game, and like I expected he opened with 1. f4. After 1...e5 he played f4 trying for a King's gambit. I was enraged! All my work for nothing! After I managed to calm myself down I won the game in a hard endgame.

mattattack99

Thanks for following the thread. Yes, I immediately noticed that the From Gambit can easily transpose into the King's Gambit. I mean, if White has a serious love for 1. f4, then 2. f4 must also be one of his loves, especially since the Bird Opening was developed in the Romantic Era of chess when the King's Gambit was all the rage!

I'm happy though that the opening has survived the scrutiny of modern chess and engines. I don't play them particularly well (which is why I probably chose a safer mainline in the game above) but I think gambits add a much needed fascinating twist to chess.

Nytik

Are you saying From's Gambit (1. f4 e5) is unsound or that the alternative mainline 1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 is unsound? To begin with, the Bird Opening is not the most powerful opening, but it is very strong. And like any gambit, the From's Gambit is not the strongest reply to most standard book openings, but I'm nearly 100% convinced that if an opening, defense, or gambit is book, then it is probably the pet opening of at least one grandmaster in the world. And though it may not be 100% sound, it's probably close enough that a strong player can outplay someone who is a weaker opponent and/or unfamiliar with the position that the gambit generates. 

As for the line 1. f4 e5 2. exf5 d6 3. exd6 I'm sure someone like Kasparov could easily refute any counterattacking prospects that Black generates. But the position that arises is very sharp, with Black having open lines for all his pieces, which can target the weakness that White created in his Kingside position. However, in order to achieve this position, Black's King is also very exposed, and he did have to give up material.

I don't know if White can just play a normal game of developing pieces and castling Kingside. I've never been exposed to the position, and if I had to play against it in tournament conditions, I'd have to studying the position arising after 3. ... Bxd6 for at least several minutes before I create a game plan and make my next move. However, I do like my chances, as I have the initiative and I'm up a pawn :)

Well, like many openings, some are more acceptable at club level versus Master+ play.