Amar Opening Krazy Kat Variation
Amar Opening – Krazy Kat Variation
Definition
The Amar Opening begins with the eccentric first move 1. Nh3, placing a knight on the edge of the board at the very start of the game. When White follows up with a rapid kingside fianchetto and an early pawn thrust f2–f4, the position is called the Krazy Kat Variation (sometimes “Krazy Kat Attack”), a name borrowed from George Herriman’s surreal 1920s comic strip to emphasize how unorthodox the set-up looks. A typical move-order is
1. Nh3 d5 2. g3 e5 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf4.
The resulting positions are catalogued under the rarely visited frontiers of ECO code A00.
How It Is Used in Chess
- Surprise weapon. Because very few players prepare for such an opening, it is most often employed as a psychological ploy in blitz, rapid, or casual over-the-board encounters.
- Unbalancing tool. The early pawn sacrifice on f4 seeks to drag Black out of classical structures and create original, tactically sharp positions where theoretical knowledge counts for little.
- Practical choice for creative players. Fans of off-beat systems such as the Grob (1. g4) or Borg Defense (1. …g5) sometimes keep the Krazy Kat in their repertoire to preserve the “shock value.”
Strategic & Tactical Themes
- Long-diagonal tension. After 1. Nh3 d5 2. g3 e5 3. f4, the diagonal a7–g1 is suddenly opened. If Black captures on f4, the bishop on c1 often springs to b2 or g2 with tempo.
- Dark-square control. White’s king knight can re-route to f4, d3, or g2, fighting for the weakened central dark squares.
- Development race. White is a pawn down but enjoys open lines for both bishops and frequently castles long, launching a pawn storm on the kingside.
- Structural instability for Black. If Black hangs on to the extra pawn with …g5 or …h6, the resulting pawn mass can become over-extended targets.
Typical Continuations
After 3. f4 Black has three main replies:
- 3…exf4 4.Nxf4 – the main gambit line, entering the heart of the Krazy Kat; White’s pieces flood the center while the extra Black pawn can be awkward to defend.
- 3…e4 – declining the pawn, grabbing space; White usually strikes back with 4. d3 or 4. c4, trying to undermine the advanced pawn.
- 3…Nc6 – developing calmly; play can transpose to lines above once the central tension is resolved.
Historical Significance
The opening move 1. Nh3 was occasionally used by the French master Charles Amar (after whom the opening is named) in the 1930s. Austrian coffee-house tactician Erich Eliskases and the problem composer Josef Krejcik later experimented with Nh3-based gambits, coining whimsical names such as “Paris Gambit” and “Krazy Kat Attack” to fit the bohemian style of play. Although never seen in world-championship circles, the variation maintains a small but faithful cult following in online blitz rooms today.
Illustrative Game
Below is a short miniature that shows the typical attacking flair White can obtain. (Board is shown after 10…Be7.)
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- “Knight on the rim, but having a whim.” Common opening manuals advise against early edge-knight moves, yet 1. Nh3 inspires entire books devoted to “flank first” strategy.
- Chess legend Tony Miles, known for his creative openings, once joked that 1. Nh3 was “objectively harmless but a lot of fun after two espressos.”
- The variation is sometimes nicknamed the Bozo Attack on internet forums—a reminder that you must be ready to justify your clownish first move with concrete tactics.
- Many online servers still classify 1. Nh3 games simply under “Amar/Krazy Kat” with no sub-variation, showing how rarely theory has bothered to expand beyond the first few moves.
When (and When Not) to Play It
Ideal for blitz, bullet, or any time control where surprise value outweighs theoretical depth. Risky in long classical tournaments unless you are absolutely confident in navigating chaotic middlegames a pawn down.