I had a passionate hatred for this opening when I was a beginner (after blundering to it several times), which motivated me to find multiple ways to counter it. Since it's mostly played by novices, they usually won't expect the following counter, which allows you to trap and take their Queen:
1. e4 e5
2. Qh5 d6
3. Bc4 Na3
4. d3 Bg4
(After playing Bg4, there is often a long pause as your opponent realizes that his queen is now pinned.)
The most common response is Bxf7, followed by a frustrating Kd7. White may also play Bg5, which Black may simply respond with Be7. And a desperate Qg5 is easily countered with Be7. After any of these moves, White must accept the loss of their Queen.
Unfortunately, there are counters to Black's trap:
4. h3 prevents Black from playing Bg4 and thus nullifies the pin, leaving Black's Na3 awkwardly developed.
5. Bg4 forces you to trade bishops, followed by queens if White continues with 6. Qg4.
Given this opening's notoriety, most intermediate- or higher-rated players know how to counter it effectively, so it's rarely played at those levels. Like #11 mentioned, I only encounter it against anonymous players.
1. e4 e5
2. Qh5 d6
3. Bc4 Na3
4. d3 Bg4
(After playing Bg4, there is often a long pause as your opponent realizes that his queen is now pinned.)
The most common response is Bxf7, followed by a frustrating Kd7. White may also play Bg5, which Black may simply respond with Be7. And a desperate Qg5 is easily countered with Be7. After any of these moves, White must accept the loss of their Queen.
Unfortunately, there are counters to Black's trap:
4. h3 prevents Black from playing Bg4 and thus nullifies the pin, leaving Black's Na3 awkwardly developed.
5. Bg4 forces you to trade bishops, followed by queens if White continues with 6. Qg4.
Given this opening's notoriety, most intermediate- or higher-rated players know how to counter it effectively, so it's rarely played at those levels. Like #11 mentioned, I only encounter it against anonymous players.