White's Openings

[Crusading Knight]

What is the best opening for White? "There is no 'best' opening, it all depends on Black's first move", that's what some might say, perhaps this is true, so, assuming Black's first move is unpredictable (to an extent), what is at least a strong opening? Apparently the English Opening (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Opening) is the fourth most popular opening for White. This seems to be a strong move because it threatens d5, but what would be an appropriate second move for White? Na3? This protects the Pawn, but I have been told that placing Knights on the edge of the board is far from ideal. Is this true?

So perhaps the English Opening isn't the strongest possible opening, but this leaves the question "what, under most conditions, is the strongest opening for White?". So we're back to the original question. I'm a fan of d4, Nc3, however I haven't found a name for this yet, and I'm still not convinced it is particularly strong, just conveniant. I like the idea of getting my Knights out early to dominate the centre, and having the ability to Castle early in the game, that's why the Reti Opening (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9ti_Opening) interests me. It is apparently the third most popular opening, and with Nf3 as its first move, it allows for a flexible start which I'm going to try.

There is more than 1000 openings, so picking one isn't always easy. Please comment on this and share your opinion.

[Jean-Paul Fartre]

assuming best possible play white has no good moves

[Crusading Knight]

Why is that?

[Wylde]

If everyone played their best everything would end in draw.

[A Political Junkie]

White's best opening is enslavement of blacks

[Crusading Knight]

So does no one know?

[Wylde]

White's best opening is enslavement of blacks

lmao.

and CK there is no such thing as a best opening unless black plays stupid.

[Jean-Paul Fartre]

there isnt a best opening because chess hasnt been solved yet, but it is assumed by some people (notably me) that with best play white has the disadvantage because they are always forced to move, therefore would be forced to move a piece away from its best position after a while

[Wylde]

Black rapes all. Countering > first move.

[FerraL]

Black rapes all. Countering > first move.

11.

This seems to be a strong move because it threatens d5, but what would be an appropriate second move for White? Na3? This protects the Pawn, but I have been told that placing Knights on the edge of the board is far from ideal. Is this true?

A move that increases your control of d5.

Example.
1. c4
2. g3
3. Bg2
4.Nc3

Not necessarily in that order, but the goal of the English is to get a strong outpost on d5.

[Judge]

I normally try Kf3 to prevent his e4 as white.

Black rapes all.

Probably the opposite, black has to move after so he can be pressured early on, whereas if black tries it vs white, white can counter attack. Eventually though, black and white become even after the first few moves, being white just means that you develop your peices a move quicker.

[Jean-Paul Fartre]

I normally try Kf3 to prevent his e4 as white.

Black rapes all.

Probably the opposite, black has to move after so he can be pressured early on, whereas if black tries it vs white, white can counter attack. Eventually though, black and white become even after the first few moves, being white just means that you develop your peices a move quicker.

black>white with best play because white will have to move out of optimal position first

[Crusading Knight]

White can manipulate Black though.

[Wylde]

GOOD LOGIC WHERE AS BLACK CAN MANIPULATE WHITE.


Black can be the first to develope pieces if he gambits and is accepted, if non accept then continue countering white.

[Sam_Ham]

1.d4 is the "best" opening move for white, in that is a safe known line with the highest % wins for white in grandmaster vs grandmaster games.

[Judge]

d4 is also good as black, as it is a center counter attack.

[Sam_Ham]

you mean d5, or?

[Jean-Paul Fartre]

you mean d5, or?

judge has hax

[Judge]

ffs *d4