Konstantinopolsky Opening
Encyclopedia
The Konstantinopolsky Opening is a rarely played chess opening
that begins with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.g3.
It was introduced in the game Konstantinopolsky
–Ragozin
, Moscow
1956.
3.g3 is an illogical move, since White's light-squared bishop can already develop via the e2-b5 diagonal. This means that either White's 1.e4 or his 3.g3 pawn moves were wastes of a tempo (move). Therefore, White has lost a move in which he could have developed another piece, and is giving Black the chance to take a lead in development by bringing out one of his own pieces (e.g. 3...Bc5) In particular, if White chooses to develop his bishop via the e2-b5 diagonal, he will leave undefended holes on the light squares of his kingside, which will be a major weakness in the middlegame, particularly if he chooses to castle on the kingside.
For these reasons, the Konstantinopolsky Opening is never seen at the top levels of chess, although some grandmasters such as Savielly Tartakower
(who experimented with numerous unusual openings) have experimented with it.
Chess opening
A chess opening is the group of initial moves of a chess game. Recognized sequences of opening moves are referred to as openings as initiated by White or defenses, as created in reply by Black. There are many dozens of different openings, and hundreds of named variants. The Oxford Companion to...
that begins with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.g3.
It was introduced in the game Konstantinopolsky
Alexander Konstantinopolsky
Alexander Markovich Konstantinopolsky was a Soviet International Master of chess, chess coach and trainer, and a chess author. He was a five-time Kiev champion, and trained the world title challenger David Bronstein from a young age...
–Ragozin
Viacheslav Ragozin
Viacheslav Vasilyevich Ragozin was a Soviet chess Grandmaster, an International Arbiter of chess, and a World Correspondence Chess Champion. He was also a chess writer and editor.- Biography :...
, Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
1956.
3.g3 is an illogical move, since White's light-squared bishop can already develop via the e2-b5 diagonal. This means that either White's 1.e4 or his 3.g3 pawn moves were wastes of a tempo (move). Therefore, White has lost a move in which he could have developed another piece, and is giving Black the chance to take a lead in development by bringing out one of his own pieces (e.g. 3...Bc5) In particular, if White chooses to develop his bishop via the e2-b5 diagonal, he will leave undefended holes on the light squares of his kingside, which will be a major weakness in the middlegame, particularly if he chooses to castle on the kingside.
For these reasons, the Konstantinopolsky Opening is never seen at the top levels of chess, although some grandmasters such as Savielly Tartakower
Savielly Tartakower
Ksawery Tartakower was a leading Polish and French chess Grandmaster. He was also a leading chess journalist of the 1920s and 30s...
(who experimented with numerous unusual openings) have experimented with it.