07 Dec 10
Originally posted by tomtom232Mobility is beside the point at the first move, since you can only move one piece at a time.
Actually mobility IS an advantage in and of itself. If the opponents pieces become restricted then you will control the game.
There is no doubt that the various sequences of opening moves available to a player offer varying levels of mobility after each successive move, but at move 1 it is hardly the most important factor- otherwise we'd also be praising 1. e3 for exactly the same reason.
And I'm sure we have some 1. e3 players out there [ The "French Attack"? 😉 ] who are all ready to jump on that bandwagon, but I don't think they'll have too many followers.
07 Dec 10
1 edit
Originally posted by Paul LeggettYes, point is good for even in the end, a bishop may have all the mobility in the world, but if there are no targets, it may simply be attacking air. It does seem, certainly true that in many instances, mobility is a factor, thus in a positional sense we try to get our opponent to use his resources to defend pawns, thus their mobility is reduced, or we can do a Capa and restrict a piece to a particular area of the board and attack on the other side, but mostly it appears to come around tactically when the 'horizon of movement', of a piece is severely restricted, as in pin. I really like the Purdy approach to the opening, with its emphasis on files for rooks, for if your rooks have open and semi-open files, your usually in good shape.
Mobility is beside the point at the first move, since you can only move one piece at a time.
There is no doubt that the various sequences of opening moves available to a player offer varying levels of mobility after each successive move, but at move 1 it is hardly the most important factor- otherwise we'd also be praising 1. e3 for exactly the same re all ready to jump on that bandwagon, but I don't think they'll have too many followers.
07 Dec 10
Originally posted by Paul LeggettWell on the higher levels it is an important factor but 1.e3 has other limitations to it that 1.e4 doesn't.
Mobility is beside the point at the first move, since you can only move one piece at a time.
There is no doubt that the various sequences of opening moves available to a player offer varying levels of mobility after each successive move, but at move 1 it is hardly the most important factor- otherwise we'd also be praising 1. e3 for exactly the same ...[text shortened]... re all ready to jump on that bandwagon, but I don't think they'll have too many followers.
07 Dec 10
Originally posted by robbie carrobieWell, if we have better mobility then it is our job to create a target. But that is beside the point, I was just saying that mobility is an advantage and its not for us to say if it isn't important or not... thats for the top players to figure out.
Yes, point is good for even in the end, a bishop may have all the mobility in the world, but if there are no targets, it may simply be attacking air. It does seem, certainly true that in many instances, mobility is a factor, thus in a positional sense we try to get our opponent to use his resources to defend pawns, thus their mobility is reduced, or ...[text shortened]... files for rooks, for if your rooks have open and semi-open files, your usually in good shape.
08 Dec 10
Originally posted by Maxacre42That's interesting, I play 1.Nf3 and if black plays 1..c5 i go into the symmetrical deliberately. I will say that this is specifically because most people who play c5 in this position are trying to transpose into a Sicilian, which means that a symmetrical English opening probably doesn't sit well with their style of play. I've lost count of how many games i've won this way. 🙂
I hate it when I open c4 and the opponent c5! The symmetrical is just impossible to get an advantage against!
08 Dec 10
Originally posted by Grampy Bobbye4 "best by test" -Fischer
[b]Least/Most Prefered Opening Moves...
Least: Ho hum frontal E4/D4. Most: Flank pawns with knights & bishops
in the fray. Why? Why not? If not us, whom? If not now, when? Yours?
..............................................................................[/b]
Then you got d4 and c4. Both good.It all depends on what you are looking for. Open or closed game?
However,NF3 is one of whites "equally best" moves. Its a great spot to be and you can transpose wherever, depending on black.
08 Dec 10
Originally posted by Paul Leggett'And I'm sure we have some 1. e3 players out there [ The "French Attack"?"
Mobility is beside the point at the first move, since you can only move one piece at a time.
There is no doubt that the various sequences of opening moves available to a player offer varying levels of mobility after each successive move, but at move 1 it is hardly the most important factor- otherwise we'd also be praising 1. e3 for exactly the same ...[text shortened]... re all ready to jump on that bandwagon, but I don't think they'll have too many followers.
Still seems that 1.e3 holds a certain contrarian/maverick appeal.
2010 NFL Footnote: Disconcerting, Paul, to watch
TB finally suffering through late season injuries.
08 Dec 10
Originally posted by nimzo5Somehow I don't think that's going to work out.
I play the Symmetrical opening 1.c4 c5 with the express goal of killing any enjoyment of the game for White so the English opening is retired to the dustbin of lame openings.
McShane, Carlsen, London Chess Classic, 12.8.10-
09 Dec 10
Originally posted by ThabtosWow... look at how those knights bullied the black pieces. Too bad for the almighty bishop pair.
Somehow I don't think that's going to work out.
McShane, Carlsen, London Chess Classic, 12.8.10-
[pgn][Event "London Chess Classic"] [Site "London ENG"] [Date "2010.12.08"] [EventDate "2010.12.06"] [Round "1"] [Result "1-0"] [White "L McShane"] [Black "M Carlsen"] [ECO "A37"] [WhiteElo "2645"] [BlackElo "2802"] [PlyCount "78"] 1. c4 c5 2. g3 g6 ...[text shortened]... 1+ 35. Kxf1 Bc4+ 36. Kg1 Bxa2 37. Ba4 e5 38. f3 Bh6 39. Bb3+ 1-0[/pgn]