Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Qh5

Parham Attack/Wayward Queen Attack
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p2Q/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNB1KBNR b
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5

Wayward Queen Attack/Parham Attack

1. e4 e5 2. Qh5

The Wayward Queen Attack or Kentucky Opening is a very aggressive move. It violates an opening principle by bringing the queen out early. However, Black has to be careful, as White’s queen is placed on an aggressive square. The main purpose of 2. Qh5 is actually the resulting pressure on f7 after White plays 3. Bc4; the f7-pawn is guarded only by Black's king and is considered Black’s weakest pawn at the beginning of the game.

The safest option for Black is to play 2…Nc6, which guards the e-pawn and prepares 3…g6.

Black can also try playing 2…Nf6!?, the Kiddie Countergambit. Black sacrifices the e-pawn for a lead in development and many tempi against White’s queen.

2…g6??, attacking the queen immediately, is not recommended: it simultaneously leaves the e-pawn undefended and opens up the h8-rook, and White can win that rook by playing 3. Qxe5+!, forking the king and rook.

Note that this opening allows White’s quickest possible mate if Black plays 2...Ke7?? (3. Qxe5#).

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Qh5

	2	3	4	5	6
	... Nc6	Bc4 g6	Qf3 Nf6	Ne2 Bg7	Nbc3 d6	=
	... g6??	Qxe5+! Ne7	Qxh8	+-
	... Nf6!?	Qxe5+ Be7	=
	... Ke7??	Qxe5#! N/A	1-0

References

• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.
• Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.