1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6

This one’s sneaky because it looks solid… until it’s not. That f6 move weakens the king’s defenses instantly and invites White to jump in with Nxe5, often leading to an early disaster.

It’s like trying to build a castle but forgetting to lock the front gate.

Takeaway: Don’t touch the f-pawn early. You’ll thank us later.

2. The Wayward Queen Attack

1.e4 e5 2.Qh5

At first glance, this looks like a cheeky shortcut to victory. “Checkmate in two?” Not quite.

Pulling the queen out too early might work against someone completely new, but any half-prepared opponent will develop their pieces while chasing your queen around. Before you know it, they’re ahead in development while your queen is just… running.

Takeaway: Develop your knights and bishops first. Queens love fashionably late entrances.

3. The Grob Attack

1.g4

Imagine starting a race and deciding to moonwalk. That’s kind of what this is.

The Grob does nothing for the centre, weakens your king’s side, and leaves you with no development. Fun? Maybe. Effective? Not even close.

Takeaway: Openings should help control the centre and develop pieces—not just surprise your opponent with weird moves.

4. The Early f3 Push

1.f3

This is like giving away the king’s personal bodyguard before the battle even starts.

That f-pawn protects a key diagonal (hello, bishop and queen attacks!), and moving it too soon opens your king up to all kinds of early threats. It also doesn’t help your position in any meaningful way.

Takeaway: Keep the f-pawn where it is. Especially early on.

5. The Bongcloud Attack

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2

Yes, it’s a meme. Yes, famous players have used it for fun. But should beginners play it? Definitely not.

Walking your king into the centre of the board on move 2 is bold—but bold isn’t always better. You give up castling rights, your king becomes a target, and your whole position starts to unravel.

Takeaway: Leave the Bongcloud for Twitch streams and bullet games.

So What Should You Play Instead?

The good news: solid openings aren’t that complicated. Just follow these three golden rules:

• Control the centre (with e4 or d4)

• Develop your knights and bishops

• Get your king to safety (castle early!)

And more importantly—avoid the traps above. You’ll instantly play better games, have more fun, and learn faster.

If your child’s been experimenting with one of these “creative” openings, don’t worry—it’s all part of the journey. We’ve seen thousands of games, and the best improvements come after the silliest blunders. 😄

We’re here to help every step of the way. Whether it’s guiding students to smarter openings or preparing them for tough tournaments, Chess Gaja is all about learning through experience—and a little humour.