Answers.Body: <h2>INTERLUDE:</h2>
  
  <p>I have answered many of your questions, and from that I conclude that you build some sort of a program or statistics.</p>
  
  <p>The goal of the opening is to introduce as <strong>many</strong> pieces as possible, and to do it <strong>as fast</strong> as possible. In this process, your pieces must occupy <strong>the most aggressive</strong> squares available.</p>
  
  <p>From the statistical point of view <code>1.e4</code> attacks 2 central squares and opens <strong>the best diagonals</strong> for the queen and bishop. </p>
  
  <p><code>d4</code>can not develop queen aggressively, but opens the black bishop. </p>
  
  <p><strong>These moves do not develop a piece</strong>, they <strong>only claim space</strong> ( in order to put a piece on those squares your opponent must exchange the pawn )  <strong>preparing</strong> the piece development.</p>
  
  <p>Now let us look at the knight move:</p>
  
  <p><code>1.Nc3</code>-><strong>you develop a piece</strong>, you attack ( <strong>but do not claim!</strong> ) 1 central square and 1 on the wing, you fortify your own squares ( <code>e4</code> and <code>a4</code> ), but you do not open paths for other pieces.</p>
  
  <p><code>1.Nf3</code>->same as above, only different squares are attacked.</p>
  
  <p>Why does knight move attack a square while pawn claims it? Because pawns have the lowest value, in order to put pieces at squares controlled by them you need to first exchange that pawn. Knight does not claim the square because you can <strong>challenge</strong> the knight more easily by putting the bishop/pawn/knight on that square. </p>
  
  <p>What is better-to develop pieces or to seize space first?</p>
  
  <p>First 2 moves usually seize space, and are followed by piece development. Therefore, most games start with a pawn move, and then pieces are developed.</p>
  
  <p>Statistically speaking, <strong>it is better to open with a pawn</strong> ( it claims important central squares and opens lines for the pieces to come out ) but chess is more than just statistics. </p>
  
  <p>So to answer your question:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>What is the benefit of making the first move with a Knight? </p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>So what is the point of the knight move? To understand that observe these two examples-we shall consider only White's moves to preserve space:</p>
  
  <p><code>1.e4 ... 2.Nf3 ... 3.Bc4</code> and <code>1.Nf3 ... 2.e4 ... 3.Bc4</code></p>
  
  <p>In both cases we reach the same position. </p>
  
  <p><em>The point of the knight move is to <strong>get favorable transposition</strong> from one opening into another. It is used frequently to <strong>sidestep sharp variations</strong>, confuse opponent or "kick him out" of his opening.</em> </p>
  
  <p>Objectively speaking, there is no difference between <code>1.e4/d4/Nf3/Nc3</code> because <strong>you will need to play them all at one point</strong>, it is all about move order. However, as someone pointed out, knight moves give opponents <strong>greater</strong> freedom of choice because they do not <strong>claim space</strong>. </p>
  
  <p>This means that "knight-first" player <strong>must learn more</strong> than "pawn-first" one but in return has a good chance to steer the game into variations he <strong>knows will be good for him</strong> which can not be said <strong>with 100% certainty</strong> for his opponent. Also, forcing opponent to play certain opening/line makes <strong>strong psychological impact</strong> on him.</p>
  
  <p>This might seem insignificant to you, but in professional chess this "trick" is used often by <strong>stronger</strong> opponent.</p>
  
  <p>To preserve space, I recommend you the book <em>Andrew Soltis-Transpo tricks in chess</em>*.</p>
  
  <p>It will clarify what I have said in this post.</p>
  
  <p>If you have further questions leave a comment.</p>
  
  <p>Best regards.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-06T03:11:58.063Z
Answers.Text: +1. thanks buddy.. you got me with `I conclude that you build some sort of a program or statistics`.. I am software engineer anyway.. hahaha..
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-06T03:22:26.760Z
Answers.Text: surely I still count on that (Knight-first) due to psychological pressure and tactical pressure.. but you already impressed me.. and I'd gladly to accept your answer..
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-06T15:58:14.167Z
Answers.Text: @AhmadAzwarAnas: Thank you. I am glad I could help. I actually open my games with `1.Nf3` so if you have further questions feel free to ask. Best regards.
Answers.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-07T04:04:03.187Z
Answers.Text: oh.. can you share the result and the match? I'll gratefully thanks..
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-07T04:08:20.713Z
Answers.Text: @AhmadAzwarAnas: I do not understand what you want-do you need my games vs computers/other players or what? Just clarify more please and I will respond-at this moment I do not understand what you need me to do. Best regards.
Answers.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-07T04:14:46.007Z
Answers.Text: oh.. I guess that you play at some chess online that can be seen after match.. but don't mind it if it's can 't shared..
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-07T04:16:55.240Z
Answers.Text: @AhmadAzwarAnas: If you are building some kind of algorithm then you should tell me more about it so I can instruct you better. At this moment you will not be able to get the help you need I fear, because the answers we provided are too general. Best regards.
Answers.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-07T04:25:53.583Z
Answers.Text: hahaha .. still only at the beginning, it is still far to be completely the same algorithm except with the others and have some differences in threshold only .. I'll share when it does..
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-05T22:01:37.753Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-02-05T22:01:37.753Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Answers.Body: <p>It's not worth it to analyze 1st moves with an engine. It's better to see possible variations in ChessBase's ECO view because you need to play opening which suits your mind style or antisuits your opponent's. An engine can't help you with that.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-03T09:26:07.073Z
Answers.Text: ah.. I got you.. let me clear this.. I want some answer based on positional advanced so it should have some theory behind it.. that's why the tag is `analysis`
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-03T10:37:51.793Z
Answers.Text: If you get this kind answer I think that it will not be very useful. Because it's impossible to evaluate mathematically best move in starting position because variant tree is very huge.  Try to plan your first moves to get position which you know and like and to avoid positions which you don't like.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Kakadu
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-04T01:56:49.810Z
Answers.Text: thanks for you suggest in **trying to avoid traps in unknown position**.. hahaha
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-03T07:09:23.473Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-04-16T14:37:36.383Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2017-04-16T14:37:36.383Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Kakadu
Answers.Body: <p>Generally moving a knight first gives your opponent more ways to respond, so you have a lower chance to steer the game in the direction you want. On the other hand it gives you a little bit more flexibility, as you postpone the decision which pawn to move.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-04T01:59:59.920Z
Answers.Text: yeah, I called it transposing moves as *Knight philosophy* since pawns can not retreat.. hahaha.. thanks for the theory..
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-03T13:56:39.557Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-02-03T13:56:39.557Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Landei
Answers.Body: <p>Using knight in first move is a good option, for instance 1Nf3 you can ilude your opponent to think you are gonna play reti or queens pawn or kings indian attack and also you avoid some crazy gambits . It's a good way of start for a queens pawn player because it reduces lots of theory</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-04T02:10:21.160Z
Answers.Text: yeah buddy.. it's transpose anyway.. hahaha.. I still didn't find the answer, why I choose move knight first than pawns.. but thanks for that..
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-02-03T17:10:08.510Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-02-03T17:10:08.510Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Panzer
Answers.Body: <p><strong>1.Nf3</strong> develops a piece, prevents 1...e5, gives black no targets (e.g. 1.e4 can be challenged with 1...d5 immediately) and keeps all options as far as pawn moves are concerned open.</p>
  
  <p>Instead of choosing to place a pawn on e4, d4 or c4, white first sees what black's first move is. He may choose to play something like 2.g3 and 3.Bg2 to delay even further, depending.</p>
  
  <p>That's quite a few benefits.</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2017-04-16T14:57:59.157Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-04-16T14:57:59.157Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: RemcoGerlich
Answers.Body: <ol>
  <li><p>NC3 should not be underestimated. There is an excelent book called &quot;Knight on the Left&quot; by Harald Kielhack, that is also among the best general chess book I know.</p>
  <p>I normally open 1.e4 but about one game in eight I roll out 1.Nc3. Why? THere is no risk because there is no refutation. Quite often I get into standard open or semi-open positions with my opponent having used some extra time. And Black can get quickly into trouble with some very plausible moves</p>
  </li>
  </ol>
  <p>1.Nc3 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Nf5! 0-0 7. Nxe7+ Qxe7
  8. Nd5 Qd8 9. Nxf6+ gxf6 10. Bh6 Re8 11.e3 with a very pleasant advantage.</p>
  <p>I dont have general philosophical justification for you, 1.Nc3 offers not quite such a good chance of opening advantage as the four main moves, but it can be effective if you pick your opponents. PLayers who are prone to time trouble, players who will try too hard to refute it, players who know much more regular book than you do.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-04-12T03:44:19.283Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-04-12T03:44:19.283Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2020-06-17T09:59:59.497Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Philip Roe
Body: <p>I know that some moves from some opening can transpose to another.</p>
  
  <p>But if I move my knight first, does it have benefit to me? In my Houdini, it shows lower value than I move a pawn first.</p>
  
  <p>Best Regards,<br>
  Ahmad</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-02-03T14:04:51.367Z
Comments.Text: don't worry about engine evaluations for standard first moves. It might simply be based on how the results fared based on the first move in the engine's DB.
Comments.UserDisplayName: NoviceProgrammer
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-02-04T02:00:56.520Z
Comments.Text: yeah @NoviceProgrammer, I guess so..
Comments.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-02-06T01:59:22.213Z
Comments.Text: Your opponent might be less prepared for this kind of opening, giving you a bit of an advantage
Comments.UserDisplayName: eshellborn
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-02-06T03:45:53.900Z
Comments.Text: yeah @eshellborn, that's what I want for sure..
Comments.UserDisplayName: Ahmad Azwar Anas
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-04-16T14:52:09.733Z
Comments.Text: @NoviceProgrammer: that's not how engines work.
Comments.UserDisplayName: RemcoGerlich
Tags: <opening><analysis><theory><knights>
Title: What is the benefit of making the first move with a Knight?
ThreadText: # What is the benefit of making the first move with a Knight?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-03)
  
  I know that some moves from some opening can transpose to another.
  
  But if I move my knight first, does it have benefit to me? In my Houdini, it shows lower value than I move a pawn first.
  
  Best Regards,  
  username_0
  
  **Tags:** opening, analysis, theory, knights
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: don't worry about engine evaluations for standard first moves. It might simply be based on how the results fared based on the first move in the engine's DB.  
  > **username_0**: yeah @username_1, I guess so..  
  > **username_2**: Your opponent might be less prepared for this kind of opening, giving you a bit of an advantage  
  > **username_0**: yeah @username_2, that's what I want for sure..  
  > **username_3**: @username_1: that's not how engines work.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 6 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2014-02-05. Score: 3 | Accepted answer
  
  ## INTERLUDE:
  
  I have answered many of your questions, and from that I conclude that you build some sort of a program or statistics.
  
  The goal of the opening is to introduce as **many** pieces as possible, and to do it **as fast** as possible. In this process, your pieces must occupy **the most aggressive** squares available.
  
  From the statistical point of view `1.e4` attacks 2 central squares and opens **the best diagonals** for the queen and bishop.
  
  `d4`can not develop queen aggressively, but opens the black bishop.
  
  **These moves do not develop a piece**, they **only claim space** ( in order to put a piece on those squares your opponent must exchange the pawn ) **preparing** the piece development.
  
  Now let us look at the knight move:
  
  `1.Nc3`->**you develop a piece**, you attack ( **but do not claim!** ) 1 central square and 1 on the wing, you fortify your own squares ( `e4` and `a4` ), but you do not open paths for other pieces.
  
  `1.Nf3`->same as above, only different squares are attacked.
  
  Why does knight move attack a square while pawn claims it? Because pawns have the lowest value, in order to put pieces at squares controlled by them you need to first exchange that pawn. Knight does not claim the square because you can **challenge** the knight more easily by putting the bishop/pawn/knight on that square.
  
  What is better-to develop pieces or to seize space first?
  
  First 2 moves usually seize space, and are followed by piece development. Therefore, most games start with a pawn move, and then pieces are developed.
  
  Statistically speaking, **it is better to open with a pawn** ( it claims important central squares and opens lines for the pieces to come out ) but chess is more than just statistics.
  
  So to answer your question:
  
  > What is the benefit of making the first move with a Knight?
  
  So what is the point of the knight move? To understand that observe these two examples-we shall consider only White's moves to preserve space:
  
  `1.e4 ... 2.Nf3 ... 3.Bc4` and `1.Nf3 ... 2.e4 ... 3.Bc4`
  
  In both cases we reach the same position.
  
  *The point of the knight move is to **get favorable transposition** from one opening into another. It is used frequently to **sidestep sharp variations**, confuse opponent or "kick him out" of his opening.*
  
  Objectively speaking, there is no difference between `1.e4/d4/Nf3/Nc3` because **you will need to play them all at one point**, it is all about move order. However, as someone pointed out, knight moves give opponents **greater** freedom of choice because they do not **claim space**.
  
  This means that "knight-first" player **must learn more** than "pawn-first" one but in return has a good chance to steer the game into variations he **knows will be good for him** which can not be said **with 100% certainty** for his opponent. Also, forcing opponent to play certain opening/line makes **strong psychological impact** on him.
  
  This might seem insignificant to you, but in professional chess this "trick" is used often by **stronger** opponent.
  
  To preserve space, I recommend you the book *Andrew Soltis-Transpo tricks in chess*\*.
  
  It will clarify what I have said in this post.
  
  If you have further questions leave a comment.
  
  Best regards.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: +1. thanks buddy.. you got me with `I conclude that you build some sort of a program or statistics`.. I am software engineer anyway.. hahaha..  
  > **username_0**: surely I still count on that (Knight-first) due to psychological pressure and tactical pressure.. but you already impressed me.. and I'd gladly to accept your answer..  
  > **username_4**: @username_0: Thank you. I am glad I could help. I actually open my games with `1.Nf3` so if you have further questions feel free to ask. Best regards.  
  > **username_0**: oh.. can you share the result and the match? I'll gratefully thanks..  
  > **username_4**: @username_0: I do not understand what you want-do you need my games vs computers/other players or what? Just clarify more please and I will respond-at this moment I do not understand what you need me to do. Best regards.  
  > **username_0**: oh.. I guess that you play at some chess online that can be seen after match.. but don't mind it if it's can 't shared..  
  > **username_4**: @username_0: If you are building some kind of algorithm then you should tell me more about it so I can instruct you better. At this moment you will not be able to get the help you need I fear, because the answers we provided are too general. Best regards.  
  > **username_0**: hahaha .. still only at the beginning, it is still far to be completely the same algorithm except with the others and have some differences in threshold only .. I'll share when it does..  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2014-02-03. Score: 5
  
  It's not worth it to analyze 1st moves with an engine. It's better to see possible variations in ChessBase's ECO view because you need to play opening which suits your mind style or antisuits your opponent's. An engine can't help you with that.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: ah.. I got you.. let me clear this.. I want some answer based on positional advanced so it should have some theory behind it.. that's why the tag is `analysis`  
  > **username_5**: If you get this kind answer I think that it will not be very useful. Because it's impossible to evaluate mathematically best move in starting position because variant tree is very huge.  Try to plan your first moves to get position which you know and like and to avoid positions which you don't like.  
  > **username_0**: thanks for you suggest in **trying to avoid traps in unknown position**.. hahaha  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2014-02-03. Score: 4
  
  Generally moving a knight first gives your opponent more ways to respond, so you have a lower chance to steer the game in the direction you want. On the other hand it gives you a little bit more flexibility, as you postpone the decision which pawn to move.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: yeah, I called it transposing moves as *Knight philosophy* since pawns can not retreat.. hahaha.. thanks for the theory..  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2014-02-03. Score: 3
  
  Using knight in first move is a good option, for instance 1Nf3 you can ilude your opponent to think you are gonna play reti or queens pawn or kings indian attack and also you avoid some crazy gambits . It's a good way of start for a queens pawn player because it reduces lots of theory
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: yeah buddy.. it's transpose anyway.. hahaha.. I still didn't find the answer, why I choose move knight first than pawns.. but thanks for that..  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2017-04-16. Score: 3
  
  **1.Nf3** develops a piece, prevents 1...e5, gives black no targets (e.g. 1.e4 can be challenged with 1...d5 immediately) and keeps all options as far as pawn moves are concerned open.
  
  Instead of choosing to place a pawn on e4, d4 or c4, white first sees what black's first move is. He may choose to play something like 2.g3 and 3.Bg2 to delay even further, depending.
  
  That's quite a few benefits.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_8 on 2017-04-12. Score: 2
  
  1. NC3 should not be underestimated. There is an excelent book called "Knight on the Left" by Harald Kielhack, that is also among the best general chess book I know.
  
     I normally open 1.e4 but about one game in eight I roll out 1.Nc3. Why? THere is no risk because there is no refutation. Quite often I get into standard open or semi-open positions with my opponent having used some extra time. And Black can get quickly into trouble with some very plausible moves
  
  1.Nc3 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Nf5! 0-0 7. Nxe7+ Qxe7
  8. Nd5 Qd8 9. Nxf6+ gxf6 10. Bh6 Re8 11.e3 with a very pleasant advantage.
  
  I dont have general philosophical justification for you, 1.Nc3 offers not quite such a good chance of opening advantage as the four main moves, but it can be effective if you pick your opponents. PLayers who are prone to time trouble, players who will try too hard to refute it, players who know much more regular book than you do.
  
  
  ---
  
  