|
Hello and welcome to the page that details the Strafe position on a chessboard.
This position is fairly uncommon and difficult to achieve, but may offer substantial
rewards if it is achieved. Do not go out of your way to achieve this position. However,
sometimes the opportunity presents itself, and then you could possibly attain a similar
position to this one. |
 |
Advantages
- Well placed Bishops that are able to sneak behind protective cover when necessary.
- Interlocked Knights are stable and ready to support the various attacking
possibilities.
- The "Strafe" is so named because of the strike and retreat mentality of the minor pieces.
This should make for interesting combination play.
|
Disadvantages
- The exposed Queen is subject to enemy harassment, and the possibility of it getting
trapped is high.
- b2 and c2 are weak, and do little to support the attack when Nc3 has gone somewhere
else.
- The Queen has little chance of participating in the attack should Black castle on the
Queenside.
|
|
Move Sequence
- e4. The King's Pawn Opening.
- Bc4. English Opening.
- Qf3. Threatening Scholar's Mate.
- h3. Against ...Bg4.
- a3. Against ...Bb4.
- Nc3. Shoring up the defense on the Queenside.
- Ne2. Interlocking the Knights for stability.
- d3. Supporting e4.
- Be3. Looking to exchange for its counterpart.
- 0-0. Castling to safety.
- Exchanging Be3 for its counterpart gets 3 of your pawns in the center and opens the f-file
for operations.
|
|
Pitfalls
Throughout the entire opening sequence, black can give white trouble with these moves:
- d4 is an embarassing fork on the minor pieces, and the preceding d5 is also a handful
- Qf6 forces you to evade, as the exchange would then develop Black's Knight
- Nd4 backed with pawns on c5 and e5 is a handful of trouble, and best
avoided
|
Similar Openings
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 is the English Opening. |
Straferun