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Date: 26 Aug 2008 00:40:23
From: mike bishop
Subject: [Beginner] Tempi
Hi,

A book I'm reading shows the following (silly) opening, and points out that
Black loses a tempo in move 2.

1. e4 d5
2. Nc3 dxe4
3. Nxe4

I understand that Black loses a tempo in move 2, but it also seems that
White loses a tempo in move 3, and yet the book doesn't mention this.
Instead, the book seems to suggest that only Black loses a tempo. Am I
wrong in thinking that White also loses a tempo?

Thanks,
Mike




 
Date: 28 Aug 2008 21:44:22
From: McChowder
Subject: Re: [Beginner] Tempi
I think beginner's books oversimplify regarding lost tempi. Sometimes
this concept is used as a crutch instead of articulating something in a
more accurate manner. After 3...Bf5, this line can work it's way into a
Caro-Kann (4. Ng3 Bg6...). Possibly a better criticism is that black
doesn't have to relieve the tension. Beginners often exchange just to
make things simpler, rather than build things up a bit more.

-T


"mike bishop" <[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> A book I'm reading shows the following (silly) opening, and points out
> that
> Black loses a tempo in move 2.
>
> 1. e4 d5
> 2. Nc3 dxe4
> 3. Nxe4
>
> I understand that Black loses a tempo in move 2, but it also seems
> that
> White loses a tempo in move 3, and yet the book doesn't mention this.
> Instead, the book seems to suggest that only Black loses a tempo. Am
> I
> wrong in thinking that White also loses a tempo?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike




 
Date: 25 Aug 2008 17:39:06
From: SBD
Subject: Re: Tempi
On Aug 25, 6:40 pm, mike bishop <[email protected] > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> A book I'm reading shows the following (silly) opening, and points out that
> Black loses a tempo in move 2.
>
> 1. e4 d5
> 2. Nc3 dxe4
> 3. Nxe4
>
> I understand that Black loses a tempo in move 2, but it also seems that
> White loses a tempo in move 3, and yet the book doesn't mention this.
> Instead, the book seems to suggest that only Black loses a tempo. Am I
> wrong in thinking that White also loses a tempo?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike

Yes, but understandable.

Is black *really* losing a tempo on move 2?

Just off the top of my head, I don't see it unless there was no goal
attached to dxe. Obviously black played that to annihilate the e4
pawn.

Then, how is white losing a tempo by recapturing a pawn to regain a
material balance and bringing a useful piece to the center? I guess
then 3. Nf3 doesn't lose a tempo, but it sure loses something.....