By irregular, pretty much anything that isn't 1....e5 or 1....c5 would count.
you have the option to choose:
Alekhines defence:
1. e4 nf6
scandinavian defence
1. e4 d5 (i've noticed less people using this lately)
the owens defence
1.e4 b6 and get that bishop fianchettoed
try them out hope they help
1. e4
Alekhines defence:
1. e4 nf6
scandinavian defence
1. e4 d5 (i've noticed less people using this lately)
the owens defence
1.e4 b6 and get that bishop fianchettoed
try them out hope they help
1. e4
f6, then g5
or
Nbc5..... after 10 moves
or
Nbc5..... after 10 moves
While 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 has been seen at the top level, the Modern Scandinavian 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 is quite unusual, with a few added bonuses.
a) 3.d4 Nxd5 might not be a familiar pawn structure for a 1.e4 player (there is some similarity with the French Rubinstein or the Caro-Kann exchange/Panov yet, but not every 1.e4 plays one of these variations).
b) 3.d4 Bg4 is hard to play with White if you're not prepared, and very few players are prepared beyond the 6th move.
c) 3.c4 c6 and White should transpose to the Caro-Kann Panov (again, not everyone's cup of tea) with 4.d4 since 4.dxc6 Nxc6 is a wonderful gambit for Black.
d) 3.c4 e6 is a respectable gambit for Black, against which White is seldom prepared. If you don't like the Caro-Kann Panov, go for 3...e6 instead of 3...c6.
e) 3.Bb5+ Bd7 gives Black an interesting game in all variations, with at least equality *and* active play (Bronstein).
f) 3.Nc3 is a line of the Alekhine defence (1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.exd5) that is known to be ok for Black without any difficulty.
g) Black's first moves are good developing moves in case of any extravaganza by White (2.d4, 2.Nf3, 2.d3, 2.e5, 3.g3, 3.b3,...). There are always sound follow-ups.
Even in the critical lines (3.d4), Black is just a bit cramped (with 3...Nxd5) or slightly worse if White knows his way in the complications (with 3...Bg4). The main problem with this variation is that Black needs a lot of "general chess culture" as it results in very diverse types of middlegames.
a) 3.d4 Nxd5 might not be a familiar pawn structure for a 1.e4 player (there is some similarity with the French Rubinstein or the Caro-Kann exchange/Panov yet, but not every 1.e4 plays one of these variations).
b) 3.d4 Bg4 is hard to play with White if you're not prepared, and very few players are prepared beyond the 6th move.
c) 3.c4 c6 and White should transpose to the Caro-Kann Panov (again, not everyone's cup of tea) with 4.d4 since 4.dxc6 Nxc6 is a wonderful gambit for Black.
d) 3.c4 e6 is a respectable gambit for Black, against which White is seldom prepared. If you don't like the Caro-Kann Panov, go for 3...e6 instead of 3...c6.
e) 3.Bb5+ Bd7 gives Black an interesting game in all variations, with at least equality *and* active play (Bronstein).
f) 3.Nc3 is a line of the Alekhine defence (1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.exd5) that is known to be ok for Black without any difficulty.
g) Black's first moves are good developing moves in case of any extravaganza by White (2.d4, 2.Nf3, 2.d3, 2.e5, 3.g3, 3.b3,...). There are always sound follow-ups.
Even in the critical lines (3.d4), Black is just a bit cramped (with 3...Nxd5) or slightly worse if White knows his way in the complications (with 3...Bg4). The main problem with this variation is that Black needs a lot of "general chess culture" as it results in very diverse types of middlegames.
The most critical, and arguably the best response to 1. e4 ?! is known as the 'Southern Fred' defense with 1 ... f5!!. Followed by 2. exf5, Kf7!!.
This gambit which refutes e4 causes a slightly damaged kingside for black in return for the massive compensation of center control and easy future development with natural moves such as Nf6 and d5.
Also, when playing less experienced players, the white side can be tempted into ignoring their own development with a meaningless and premature kingside attack by playing 3. Qh5+?. This common mistake is a prime example of the classic quote by WC Bobby Fischer "Patzer sees a check, gives a check".
This amazing defense scores about 50% on the lichess opening database - mostly due to the black side sometimes not knowing proper Southern Fred opening theory or premoving into a checkmate. Although this opening is a good resource at all levels, I recommend looking up the opening theory on it before you play it at tournament level.
This gambit which refutes e4 causes a slightly damaged kingside for black in return for the massive compensation of center control and easy future development with natural moves such as Nf6 and d5.
Also, when playing less experienced players, the white side can be tempted into ignoring their own development with a meaningless and premature kingside attack by playing 3. Qh5+?. This common mistake is a prime example of the classic quote by WC Bobby Fischer "Patzer sees a check, gives a check".
This amazing defense scores about 50% on the lichess opening database - mostly due to the black side sometimes not knowing proper Southern Fred opening theory or premoving into a checkmate. Although this opening is a good resource at all levels, I recommend looking up the opening theory on it before you play it at tournament level.
Things like Caro (1...c6) and French (1...e6) are definitely not irregular. Also the Pirc (1...d6) and Modern (1...g6) are quite mainstream. Things like Nimzowitsch (1...Nc6) and Owen's (1...b6) are irregular
@GBA87 that's very true.
@GBA87 French and Caro are defenitely not regular ur right, pirc and modern are eh kinda in between
@polarCow according to wikipedia
1.e4 f5 is called the duras gambit
en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...f5
1.e4 f5 is called the duras gambit
en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...f5
Besides the mighty Sicilian I play 1. ... c6 systems or I feel like a modern tiger. (1. ... g6)
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