Chess Opening Theory/1. h3

Clemenz opening A00 Starting position 1. h3 · Clemenz opening This is an uncommon, passive opening move which achieves nothing in terms of development or control of the centre. At best 1. h3 is a waiting move that forgoes White's first turn advantage, but otherwise is not a serious error. e.g. after 1...e5 2. e4 it is as if White is playing the Black side of the open game, where the addition of h3 controls g4 and prevents ...Bg4. Other "reversed" lines are possible: 2. c4 reaches a position from the English opening or "reversed Sicilian" (Michael Basman liked this approach, and to continue with an early g4);Unorthodox Chess Openings Schiller Eric Cardoza Publishing 1998 New York 94-6 1...d5 2. d4 reaches a reversed closed game, etc. However, White often plays 1. h3 with a more unorthodox idea in mind. 1...e5 2. a3? d4 reaches Michael Basman'sUnorthodox Chess Openings Schiller Eric Cardoza Publishing 1998 New York 97 "creepy-crawly" opening. 1...h5 fails to punish White's lack of initiative, weakening Black's kingside. It resembles the Desprez opening for Black, with a possible idea of opening up the black rook. It is notable only insofar as the line 1. h3 h5 2. g4?? has attracted a name, the Spike Lee gambit. History An early recorded game in this opening was played in 1857 between Charles Mead (1815―1876), the President of the American Chess Association, and Paul Morphy (1837―1884). Morphy, with the black pieces, trounced Mead.Mead v Morphy, 1857. Chessgames.com The opening is named for Hermann Clemenz (1846―1908), an Estonian chess master.The Oxford Companion to Chess Hooper David Oxford University Press 1984 Oxford 68 Wyld Kenneth In modern times the opening is most associated with offbeat chess aficionado IM Michael Basman. References See also Clemenz Opening fi:Shakkiaapinen/Peli/1. h3