For the newcomers, a quick look at the danger of bringing out your queen too early. I remember when, as a beginner, my father showed me a quick mate with 1.e4, 2.Bc4, 3.Qh5 or Qf3 and 4.Qxf7# If only it were always that easy.
These openings are clearly not the best, but try telling that to someone who just used it to score a point.
Here's an example of how to defeat this crude opening, and here's an interesting collection of real life games using the early Queen's Excursion.
1.e4 e5 2.Qh5 Don't bring your queen out early! But why? Here's why! 2...Nc6 First, defending the e-pawn. [2...Ke7?? 3.Qxe5#; 2...Nf6!? 3.Qxe5+; 2...g6? 3.Qxe5+] 3.Bc4 The threat, of course, is Qxf7# 3...g6 [3...Nf6?? 4.Qxf7#] 4.Qf3 Same threat 4...Nf6 While white is moving the queen again and again, black is gaining time for solid development. 5.Qb3 Diagram
