The Durkin Opening is a very rarely played chess opening beginning with the move (in algebraic notation):
1.Na3
This awkward development of the queen´s knight does little to utilize White´s advantage of the first move. From a3 the knight does not influence the center or possess much activity. It is likely that White will move this knight again soon, perhaps by playing c4 and either recapturing on c4 (e.g. 1. ... d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nxc4) or playing Nc2. If this is White´s plan it is probably stronger to play c4 on the first move (the English Opening). As such, this opening is probably most valuable as a way to avoid opening preparation.
It is named for Robert Durkin (1923-?) of New Jersey.
References
- Hooper, David and Kenneth Whyld. "Durkin Opening." Oxford Companion to Chess. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992. 117.
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