Why I Like To Play E3
As an opening move in chess
The move 1. e3 is known as Van’t Kruijs Opening. It is named after the Dutch player Maarten van‘t Kruijs (1813–1885).
Van’t Kruijs opening is rarely played today. If I were playing against a chess master 1. e3 would put me at a slight disadvantage.
So why play such a move?
When I sit down to play chess I am not playing against a chess master.
A chess player who has some knowledge of chess theory knows that it is essential to gain control of the center of the board as soon as possible. Such a player will play e5 or d5 without much thought.
And that is precisely what happens. Most of the time when I play e3. My opponents will play e5 or occasionally d5.
If my opponent plays e5. I will play e4 or d4 against d5.
The result is that I have lost a move.
Instead of 1.e4-e5
1.e3-e5
2.e4I have taken two moves instead of one and we are now playing with colors reversed. It is as if I had started out with the black pieces instead of the white.
With a king’s pawn opening many modern players like to play the Sicilian Defence, the French Defence, or Karo Cann. All of which are no longer possible with both king’s pawns in the center.
By giving up the first move advantage I have forced my opponent into playing a closed system with which I am more comfortable.
The transposition of moves can confuse some players. In addition many players start out with certain expectations when they are playing black and don’t like to have shift to the mindset that they associate with playing white pieces.
Although chess is a logical, analytical game it can have a psychological aspect that can make a big difference.
Jim McAulay🍁 says, “Do they allow loud laughter in Hawaii or just a low “ha”?”
Interesting word: “Destrier” A type of medieval war horse. It is unclear what breed or precise characteristics of a Destrier were since medieval horses were classified by use or type.
The destrier is the best-known war horse of the medieval era. It carried knights in battles, tournaments, and jousts. It was described by contemporary sources as the Great Horse, due to its significance.
While highly prized by knights and men-at-arms, the destrier was not very common. Most knights and mounted men-at-arms rode other war horses, such as coursers and rounceys.These three types of horse were often referred to generically as chargers.