E4, E5
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never played e5 in response to e4. Should I try it or learn some other opening?
1...e5 is arguably the best response to 1 e4, followed by 1...c5, then 1...e6, then 1...c6.
It answers 1 e4 kind for kind: also occupies a central square e5, also controls a central square d4, also opens diagonals for Bf8 and Qd8.
1...c5 invites to trade a wing pawn c5 for a central pawn d4, but gives white a lead in development.
1...e6 plans to strike 2...d5, but obstructs the diagonal of Bc8
1...c6 plans to strike 2...d5, but obstructs the natural square for Nb8
Mar 3, 2024
0
#3
Any black move except for Na6,Nc6,Nf6 or Nh6 gives white a lead in development,so your argument against the sicilian is incorrect. Plus,although I play e5,I still think c5 is best.
tygxc wrote:
1...e5 is arguably the best response to 1 e4, followed by 1...c5, then 1...e6, then 1...c6.
It answers 1 e4 kind for kind: also occupies a central square e5, also controls a central square d4, also opens diagonals for Bf8 and Qd8.
1...c5 invites to trade a wing pawn c5 for a central pawn d4, but gives white a lead in development.
1...e6 plans to strike 2...d5, but obstructs the diagonal of Bc8
1...c6 plans to strike 2...d5, but obstructs the natural square for Nb8
Is 1...e5. Really the best response to 1.e4?
There is a saying in Chess. "ONLY the Best and the Worst Players play 1...e5
IF you plan to play 1...e5 & Nc6 ...YOU ARE looking at hundreds of hours in opening research AND prep!
You have to be versed in a ton of different king's pawn openings.
If you play...1...c5, 1...e6, 1...c6, 1...d5 you simply white's choices ... however that doesn't simplify the complexity of the opening.
Disclosure: lately I've been playing 1...e5 looking at building a repitore around the Petroff (haven't played 1..e4 in years) I'm finding many of the positions logical and easier to formulate plans (I assuming my chess skills have gotten better)
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@3
"Any black move except for Na6,Nc6,Nf6 or Nh6 gives white a lead in development"
++ No. e5, d5, e6, d6, g6, g5, b6, b5 are developing moves as they open a diagonal for a bishop.
c6 and c5 are only partial developing moves, as they open a diagonal for the queen,
but we know that developing bishops is more compelling than developing the queen.
1...e5 is the best response.
I like Petrov's Defense - you're active (unlike 2...Nc6), and you don't give away space (unlike 2...d6).
A way to confront the Cochrane Gambit:
So if you like one of the main lines of said opening, I believe you should give it a go.
You would Love to play the Falkbeer Countergambit, especially the Old Main line: 3...e4 (not perfect but nothing is)
If you choose Philidor Defence anyways, I know one plus of it - you can transpose into it from the Center Game (assuming White plays 3.Nf3, which they do - they try to play a gambit, and gambits need Nf3 and Bc4)
@4
"Is 1...e5. Really the best response to 1.e4?" ++ Logically, yes. It is also most played at top GM level (Candidates' tournament / World Champîonship Matches) and for good reason.
It is also the opinion of Carlsen:
'The French Defence. In my younger years I used to consider it at best a second-rate opening, and I once even lost a bet with one of my friends, and as a result had to play 1... e6 in all my games with Black in a Super-GM tournament. Fortunately my friend was greedy, and took money instead. I believe that both 1...c5 and 1...e5! are better choices, but since I desperately wanted to win this game (I was trailing the leaders Kramnik and Shirov by 1 point at this stage) I decided to try something new.'
"There is a saying in Chess. ONLY the Best and the Worst Players play 1...e5"
++ Well, the intermediary probably should too.
You cannot be both to good and too bad for 1...e5.
"IF you plan to play 1...e5 & Nc6 ...YOU ARE looking at hundreds of hours in opening research AND prep!"
++ No, on the contrary. 1...e5 being a natural move you can play it naturally without any knowledge.
1...c5, 1...e6, 1...c6 are harder to play correctly: behind in development, cramped positions.
"You have to be versed in a ton of different king's pawn openings."
++ You gradually accumulate experience with the positions.
With 1...c5, 1...e6, 1...c6 you meet several variations for white too.
"If you play...1...c5, 1...e6, 1...c6, 1...d5 you simply white's choices"
++ No, white has several choices in each of those too.
"I've been playing 1...e5 looking at building a repitore around the Petroff" ++ Good.
"I'm finding many of the positions logical and easier to formulate plans"
++ Yes, 1...e5 is more natural and more logical and thus easier to plan.