Sunday, 20 February 2011

Queen's Pawn Game

White's opening move of 1.d4 is referred to as the Queen's Pawn Game, this is the second most popular opening move for white. Now it's name is usually described as games which open with 1.d4 d5 (also known as a Closed Game) where white doesn't initiate the Queen's Gambit (2.c4).
Torre Attack

White's move of 1.d4 offers basically the same benefits center control and development as the King Pawn Opening (1.e4), but unlike 1.e4 where your pawn is undefended, the d4 pawn is protected by White's queen. This small difference can have a massive effect on the opening game-play. The d4 opening is more popular than e4 with many masters.

Moving white's queen pawn out two squares is not always met with 1. ...d5, sometimes the Torre Attack might be played when black responds with 1. ...Nf6. White then plays Nf3 and black moves to e6. White now pins blacks f6 knight to his queen by moving Bg5. It is common to see black play h6 trying to scare off white's bishop, white can capture the knight then soon being captured by black's queen. White can retreat his bishop to h4 if he still wants to pin the knight, but black can just play g5 and you will be forced to move to g3 with your bishop.

Pros: Achieves the same as e4, but with added Queen protection.  
Cons: Castling can be slightly more difficult.
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14 comments:

  1. JMchief20 February 2011 at 2:30 pm

    I used to play this game heaps, Might start playing Chess Titans hah :P

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  2. Jesse Brooks20 February 2011 at 6:57 pm

    I was having a slight bit of trouble getting over the way you're explaining the moves, such as 1.d4, but I seem to have gotten over it. I'm enjoying reading these, I just need someone to play against now!

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  3. Tom20 February 2011 at 8:13 pm

    Jesse Brooks - Sorry if I haven't explained the notation. Here's a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebraic_chess_notation

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  4. Thuganomics20 February 2011 at 8:26 pm

    ^good link for notations. was confused too

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  5. ViolinDev20 February 2011 at 9:39 pm

    reading these makes me kind of want to take chess on differently!

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  6. mtn21 February 2011 at 12:10 am

    have to try that one out

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  7. Anonymous.21 February 2011 at 12:22 am

    I wish I was this good.

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  8. Colin and Nickolas21 February 2011 at 1:56 am

    man I used to play chess with my uncle all the time

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  9. Patti D.21 February 2011 at 9:36 pm

    "torre attack" ? isn't that spanish?

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  10. Trelin22 February 2011 at 6:43 am

    I usually start that way when I play. Never knew there was a name for it. I almost always lose too...

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  11. Dr. Grim22 February 2011 at 8:51 pm

    yeah i was a bit confused about the notations as well, thank for the link =]

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  12. Weirdwhirl23 February 2011 at 1:02 am

    I am so confused, got any beginner guides ;)

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  13. chesslovers11 March 2011 at 7:05 am

    my favorit is d5..while maintaining the central place..

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  14. meeples23 March 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Thats a lot that was very helpful!

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