Barnes Opening · A00
Fool's Mate
1. f3 e5 2. g4 Qh4#
In the centre, Black holds e5.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. f3 Fights for e4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Barnes Opening.
- 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 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.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 6 in the Barnes Opening. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.