I agree. One of my weaknesses in the Opening, is that sometimes I play something offbeat then adopt it as one of my main openings.Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:22 amI'd argue it is an exception that proves the rule, since a specific reason to play something offbeat against a particular opponent despite having objectively better lines available. I wasn't saying 2 f4 is bad or criticising Davies for recommending it. Magnus has played it in blitz too. But I am saying offbeat lines are offbeat for a reason.
For example, a number of years ago, I adopted the Owen's Defence, had a couple of early major successes then adopted it as one on my main openings. I then suffered a lot of reverses as I ended up in bad French positions.
The 2.f4 Labourdonnais Variation/McDonnell attack for my level has a lot of merit against people the same standard or slightly higher.
There is a number of other games in OTB classical with wins by white including :
Nakamura- Seirawan 2016
Weiss - Maroczy Budapest 1895.
Yasser Seirawan also played it himself and beat a Soviet GM back in 1988.