The most beautiful chess opening?

Then what do you propose, Scarblac? How else could we vote to determine the most appealing openings?

No, let's do it. Hopefully it'll be better than the other ones, but that would be alot of oepnings to list. We could just simply vote and keep a tally of each opening picked. Yeah, just keep it simple.

I believe beauty is really quite oppinional, the pirc defense, features a exotic move -- N-E8, which is practical in that situation...  The Benoni Defense, with its backstabbing nature, is quite interesting at times.  My personel favourite -- KingsIndianAttack, results in extremely diverse positions, with each having their own taste. Sicilian, results in interesting complications, but have been scrutinized for a LONG time =)..  Kings gambit, wins the prize, for elegance and brutality, use sparingly =)

Hope that was a little inciteful

robbie

Keep it simple? Thats' no fun..

I suggest give everybody a vote, but votes are weighted by the following formula (square root of highest rating)/member points.

Then we can have another thread discussing the statistical merits of this system.... :)

OK, rooperi, you make that thread, and we'll all do a Hurt/Heal. As for the participating openings, don't just choose them based on one move, but based on a handful of appealing positions/moves, sacrificial potential etc. I'm looking forward to cooperating with you all.

My favorate opening for white would  be the "Kings Gambit"

I don't know what to say. Firstly I don't see the need to determine which is the most appealing; that's personal anyway, and isn't it just enjoyable enough to show a few in this thread? And secondly, Hurt/Heal is just about the worst way possible to do a poll. The first one was at least original, since then they're all just horrible in my opinion.

How about a poll? You post the options in a new thread, people have a week to send you their votes, then you tally them and determine a winner.

But personally I enjoy this thread and see no reason whatsoever to decide which is the most appealing.

OK, then all I need are some serious suggestions about the participating openings repertoire, and then I'll do a poll. Once again, post your suggestions, please, although whoeverjustwants to speak his mind (like when this thread began) can do that at will.

I think the evans gambit is really nice, it has plenty of attacking possibilities on the black king

Can't think of one for black, I dont enjoy playing second :/ ofcourse the Kings Indian Defense is fun to play

ruy lopez???

About Evans I need the aesthetics information, and about Ruy Lopez I need a more precise variation. As for the KID, it's now officially qualified.

First 8 moves create a very interesting position, with White having played mostly pawn moves, and then White continues with pawn moves, Rook move and Knight retreat! And he has probably a little adventage because his pawn chain is defended well and blocks Black's attacking ideas. Incredible, very creative play. I played this variation myself (up to 8th or 9th move, because opponents deviated from the quoted game) and it's really cool .

I like the main line KID too, with its sharp, exciting play.

OK, so far we've got two openings out of ten or twenty:

1. KID, Main Line (Black);

2. French Defence, Tarrasch (Shirov-Anand) (Black).

What about the King's Gambit (White)? Some specific variation you've got in mind there? Muzio? Anything?

I don't think the King's gambit is beautiful.

OK. Any other ideas? We need at least ten!

Nothing?

What about the French defense: Winawer variation?

there are many beautiful openings..!!

I think the Colle and the KIA lead to aesthetically pleasing positions for White. Whether they are *good* positions is another matter...