Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag
Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag (1. f3 e5 2. Kf2)
Definition
The Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag is an off-beat, borderline comical chess opening that begins with the moves 1. f3 (Barnes Opening) and is usually followed up with the self-weakening king sortie 2. Kf2. Modern databases classify the opening under ECO code A00 (Irregular Openings).
Typical Move Order
The most common sequence is:
- 1. f3 – White advances the f-pawn one square.
- … e5 – Black immediately claims the center.
- 2. Kf2 – White moves the king on move two, forfeiting castling rights.
The scheme 1. f3 followed by 2. Kf2 is sometimes called the “Fried Fox Attack,” “Grobnick Opening,” or simply “Hammerschlag,” a German word meaning “hammer blow.” In practice, however, it is White who is usually on the receiving end of the hammer.
Strategic Evaluation
- King Safety: By playing 2. Kf2, White voluntarily places the king on f2, directly in the line of fire on the e- and g-files and forfeits all chance to castle.
- Center Control: The move 1. f3 does nothing for the center, while 1…e5 or 1…d5 gives Black a stake in it. White often falls behind in development.
- Psychological Weapon: Because it is so objectively dubious, Hammerschlag is rarely used in serious tournaments. When it does appear, the intent is usually to surprise an opponent in blitz/bullet or to add entertainment value to simultaneous exhibitions.
- Theoretical Verdict: Modern engines give Black an advantage of roughly –1.5 to –2.0 pawns as early as move 2. This is substantial, especially considering that no material has been exchanged.
Key Plans for Each Side
For White:
- Re-route the king to g1 or e1 if possible, often by Kg1 or Ke1.
- Create an ad-hoc pawn shield with g3, Bg2, and sometimes e3 or d3.
- Seek tactical chaos in fast time controls to compensate for the poor position.
For Black:
- Open the center quickly with …d5 or …f5, exploiting the exposed king.
- Develop pieces with tempo: …Bc5+, …Qf6, and …Nf6 are common motifs.
- Avoid over-confidence; convert the advantage methodically.
Illustrative Line
The “headline” refutation often runs:
Historical Notes & Anecdotes
- The opening is named after the English master Thomas Wilson Barnes (1825-1874), who occasionally used 1. f3 as a surprise weapon in the 19th century.
- “Hammerschlag” gained internet fame when it was employed in online blitz and bullet streams, notably by grandmasters looking to entertain viewers.
- GM Hikaru Nakamura once opened with 1. f3 in a blitz game versus GM Magnus Carlsen (Chess.com Speed Chess Championship, 2016). Carlsen replied 1…e5 and went on to win convincingly.
- Because 1. f3 is the very first line in many opening books (alphabetical order), a running joke is that “the worst opening comes first.”
Famous (or Infamous) Games
- Carlsen – Nakamura, Blitz (Internet), 2016. Carlsen played 1. f3 as a joke in an arena game but still converted an endgame win.
- Savchenko – Aronian, World Blitz 2010. Although Savchenko used 1. f3 only to transpose to a reversed Dutch, the early king move never appeared, illustrating how flexible (or chaotic) these lines can become.
Practical Usage Tips
Competitive players are advised to avoid Hammerschlag in serious events. However, if you do choose to experiment:
- Study concrete tactics; one slip by Black can sometimes flip the evaluation.
- Use it in bullet where time pressure can outweigh positional deficits.
- Prepare an exit strategy, such as transposing into a King’s Indian Attack setup with g3, Bg2, and d3.
Fun Fact
On many chess servers, typing “/ban me” is humorously likened to playing 1. f3 — both acts are considered self-destructive!