Main lineA00
1. f3
No pawn stands on d4, e4, d5 or e5 - this line is played with the centre squares empty.
A00 (+C20)
Barnes Opening
6 named lines in this family, ECO A00 (+C20). Every one of them opens 1. f3, so that move's note is written once, just below, instead of once per line. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.
The moves every line here plays
1. f3
- 1. f3 Fights for e4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Barnes Opening.
HammerschlagA00
1. f3 e5 2. Kf2
In the centre, Black holds e5.
- 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2. Kf2 Walks the king to f2. It backs up the knight on g1. Theory calls this the Hammerschlag.
Fool's MateA00
1. f3 e5 2. g4 Qh4#
- 2. g4 Opens the f1-h3 diagonal for the bishop.
- 2... Qh4# Checkmate: the queen on h4 hits the king on e1 and White has no legal answer. Theory calls this the Fool's Mate.
Gedult Gambit, after 1... f5A00
1. f3 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3
An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as White's avenue and the f-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.
- 2. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2... fxe4 Takes the pawn on e4, toward the centre.
Gedult Gambit, after 1... d5A00
1. f3 d5 2. e4 g6 3. d4 dxe4 4. c3
An early pawn trade leaves the d-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.
- 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7.
WalkerlingC20
1. f3 e5 2. e4 Nf6 3. Bc4
In the centre, White holds e4 while Black holds e5.
- 2. e4 Theory calls this the King's Head Opening.
- 2... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
Walk these lines on a board
An account opens every move's note in this family, the plan behind each line, and a trainer that plays the line back at you. It is free.