In ,
Alexander Fischer typed:

dragmio wrote:
I often find myself playing against white who opens with
fianchettoeing his bishops first. What is the best response to
that,
and what's that opening called anyway?

I'm no expert at all, far away, but maybe that helps you:
On 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4


Note that this is not fianchettoing the bishop. To fianchetto the
bishops, you play b3 and g3 and move the bishops to b2 and g2.
What you describe is called the "Bishop's Opening."


I always play 2...Nf6 - to prevent moves like Qh5 attacking f7.
I
think that the best move to make.


2...Nf6 probably *is* the best reply to the Bishop's Opening, but
not for the reason you cite. 3. Qh5 is a poor move, useful only
against rank beginners who don't see the mate threat. For
example, after 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5, 3. Qh5 can be met simply by
3...Qe7. Then ...Nf6, with a gain of tempo, will follow,


Isn't it called "Italian"?


No.

--
Ken Blake
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