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How some irregular openings permit "antimainframe" thought

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deeper_insight 28-Feb-16, 10:47	How some irregular openings permit "antimainframe" thought ...that is in the mainframe pattern of your opponents way of thinking. Many irregular openings are a bit weaker or perhaps considerably weaker than other "mainframe openings" such as a Sicilian or Ruy,but have considerable worth due to not only surprise value using something that your opponent is not accustomed to,but many irregulars create both real and psychological pressure on your opponent with a strange opening that conjures up a different kind of piece pattern portfolio and pawn chain configurations that can lead you and your opponent down murky uncharted waters and create fast problems for both of you.The key is to NOT allow that to happen to YOU,even though you opened with say,a weaker Basman defense as black.How?Trial and error,game testing perhaps in an unrated scenario,OTB study,blitz games,book study on the irregular(both paperback,DVD and/or going slowly through a good opening book,like Hiarcs or Rybka).Then finding the best opening follow through lines for YOU to make that irregular the strongest possible continuation against future opponents.This way,the waters are uncharted for your OPPONENT and NOT YOU!!See now? So what about this "anti mainframe stuff"?What the heck is TA chatting about now?Is it something I can use or just another one of his more complicated threads that I either find ridiculous or cannot possibly use at my lesser rated level? The answer is that the lesser rated can eventually use this info at a future date,perhaps when they become stronger or decide to eventually investigate irregular openings.I never said my posts and threads were designed for all rating levels,now did I?But my knowledge should be passed on for the wisdom they provide,even though at this exact moment for a specific rated player,they may not always directly apply or should be immediately studied!Again,I am a guide,not a mentor or trainer.So a trainer may specifically design a specific learning path for you as a 1000 rated player but a guide(like me) uses multiplex areas of study at one time for many rating levels,not one specific level.Its like,you studied how to surf at Long beach Calif., under Mr X and now you look at TA's approach to concur climbing Mt Everest.Are you ready to do that climbing,even though you mastered surfing the waters in Calif and are in top shape mentally and physically?Probably not!But one day....maybe!You must pick and choose my hot chili foods carefully.Each one is progressively hotter than the previous one.When you get accustomed to one,then move on to the next!There is no set pattern of learning from me....like a mentor will accomplish for you.But then,I usually will teach things your trainer or mentor will never dream of teaching you!!!!And as Jkarp knows,this is a fact. So..... Lets start with a simple worded chess math formula.... Mainframe= A regular strong opening+natural development+proper theory follow through Antimainframe= irregular opening+some natural development + unnatural theory follow through on occasion Its interesting to note that,under many conditions the antimainframe games can yield quick devastating surprise value wins against your mainframe opponents,if they are not prepared,but you are!!!So a weaker opening then,is theoretically not weaker in the right prepared hands......yours perhaps? So,lets go into just one game right now that illustrates my thoughts about going against "mainframe"thoughts: OTB Marshall Chess Club,NYC Louis(White)1876 Joe(TA) Black 2400+ 10/20/15 60/40+30/30+15 Basman Defense 1. e4 g5 2. d4 h6 3. f4 d5 4. fxg5 dxe4 5. Nc3 Bf5 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. d5 Nd4 8. Qd2 e5 9. dxe6 e.p. e3 10. exf7+ Kxf7 11. Bc4+ Kg6 12. Qd1 Nxc2+ 13. Kf1 Qxd1+ 14. Nxd1 Nxa1 15. Nxe3 Be4 16. h4 hxg5 17. h5+ Kg7 18. Nf3 Be7 19. Bd2 Bf6 20. Bc3 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Nc2 22. Nxc2 Bxc2 23. Nd4 Be4 24. Kf2 Nf6 25. Ne6+ Kh6 26. Re1 Rae8 27. Nxc7 Rc8 28. Bd5 Bxd5 29. Nxd5 Nxd5 0-1 chesstempo.com Interesting little gem against a class A rated player.A class A rated player(1876) is by no means a weak player.Sure,I am much stronger,but then,my defense is a bit weaker to compensate my opponent a bit and help him win,I suppose....at least in theory!I hear all these bad things about...."stay away from those silly weak openings and opening defenses"they will simply destroy you in the end!"Many of those same or similar comments are simply made by others who have had bad experiences with them or do not really take the time and effort to study them in more defined detail to FIND the better or best avenues to proceed. My "best" # 2 response in the Basman Defense has usually been(as above): 2....h6 This supports that g5 pawn but still allows it to do that "creepy crawly dance" to g4 to suddenly attack whites posted Knight on f3,which many times he DOES post due to that "natural development"follow through that white uses.My Rook protects the h6 pawn. Basically,what I want to point out in this game is that: 1.It quickly destroyed my opponent with his resignation in 29 moves and 2.Already by move # 11,my King was maneuvering on that "antimainframe follow through" to still maintain a healthy positional advantage.So,no castling was necessary on my side and moving a King like I did in this game(from early on)was actually partially forced,but beneficial to me!And the key?I already knew ahead of time that the Basman defense produces these bizarre King like out of normal place moves!Should my opponent have castled?Yes,and that was part of his downfall....but not mine!He was too busy wondering what to play next against my psychologically strange way to play,and basically did several things wrong,from moving his Q out too early to allowing my e pawn to penetrate into his territory to e3.A King simple fork on move #12 was the beginning of the end for my opponent already with the follow through moves of 14...Nxa1 zapping his Rook off of the board. Position after move #12 with 12....Nxc2+: Notice where my King is located in the open(already positioned by move #11)and away from what appears as its safe haven zone?.Goes kind of against opening theory,right?In many standard openings,it is best to castle early(10 moves or so) and protect that King best you can through natural opening defensive moves. Not so in my game!!This is where antimainframe games can shine!!!And this happens many times in the Basman Defense or perhaps a Sokolsky Opening(1.b4). Again,just moves like I made above in this nice little quick game,is one of the reasons some players have a non admitted fear of playing against them!Oh,many players will never admit to it,but instead say things like...."stay away from studying those types of openings and opening defenses,because they will only destroy you in the end".Ha ha!Destroy who?Maybe them,not you,if you are prepared!!!!That is why those flappy mouths actually do NOT want to play Basmans,Grobs,Sokolskys and others.Just one game against a stronger opponent or a same rated opponent that is better prepared,can yield killer results and fast....just like the game above!Again,it makes many players feel "uncomfortable"even 2000 rated opponents who play against a Basman defense or Sokolsky Opening.Your opponents are uncomfortable on either side of the board because they have been "programmed"to believe from early on that irregular games are always a bad and weak way to proceed.Not so!Not in a well prepared study of them and then utilizing them!Truth is,a Basman defense is only a "slightly weaker" defense,not a massively horrible way to defend!!!And psychologically,the weaker value will EXCEED the weakness through surprise value to the unprepared!This is a hard cold fact....and one I have proven in this and past clubs time and time again.Sure,on the higher rating levels above 2100 it is certainly not a weapon of choice,but can still produce wins and draws ....not always losses.I have wins against 2200-2300 players that I can produce if asked.But against sub 2100 levels it is a formidable weapon to be used...but with sporadic caution against select opponents...especially those opponents of yours who you have researched in their past game record to have NEVER played some of these irregulars like a Basman or Sok.Imagine then,having studied a good # of these defenses,maybe seen a few of my Basman games(like the one above)and then come prepared to the board,unlike your opponent????Quick devastation can occur,believe me....and not for you,but your opponent! So again,playing an irregular opening does indeed create positions that are unlike other stronger mainframe openings.And this in turn can cause a kind of "short circuit"in the psychological way your opponent responds!That fork above should have easily been seen coming a few moves before I set up that tactical position!Why not then?He is a strong player,right?Answer:The Basman had thrown him way off balance already on move #1 with 1....g5!!!! g5 may actually be a !? move,but in the right hands and by move #12 above it lead to a !! move! So,my King was out wandering around early in the game,but with both Q's gone by move #14(already),the position of my King only creates an "illusion of weakness"! And in conclusion,when using many of the irregulars you are "permitted"to go against the mainframe way of thinking of proper opening theory moves and still beat the pants off of your opponent.My 1876 opponent discovered this fact quite early on and quickly resigned in 29 moves.For he could not stand going on after already losing on move #12,it was too much to endure! TA

From

Message

deeper_insight
28-Feb-16, 10:47

How some irregular openings permit "antimainframe" thought

...that is in the mainframe pattern of your opponents way of thinking.

Many irregular openings are a bit weaker or perhaps considerably weaker than other "mainframe openings" such as a Sicilian or Ruy,but have considerable worth due to not only surprise value using something that your opponent is not accustomed to,but many irregulars create both real and psychological pressure on your opponent with a strange opening that conjures up a different kind of piece pattern portfolio and pawn chain configurations that can lead you and your opponent down murky uncharted waters and create fast problems for both of you.The key is to NOT allow that to happen to YOU,even though you opened with say,a weaker Basman defense as black.How?Trial and error,game testing perhaps in an unrated scenario,OTB study,blitz games,book study on the irregular(both paperback,DVD and/or going slowly through a good opening book,like Hiarcs or Rybka).Then finding the best opening follow through lines for YOU to make that irregular the strongest possible continuation against future opponents.This way,the waters are uncharted for your OPPONENT and NOT YOU!!See now?

So what about this "anti mainframe stuff"?What the heck is TA chatting about now?Is it something I can use or just another one of his more complicated threads that I either find ridiculous or cannot possibly use at my lesser rated level?

The answer is that the lesser rated can eventually use this info at a future date,perhaps when they become stronger or decide to eventually investigate irregular openings.I never said my posts and threads were designed for all rating levels,now did I?But my knowledge should be passed on for the wisdom they provide,even though at this exact moment for a specific rated player,they may not always directly apply or should be immediately studied!Again,I am a guide,not a mentor or trainer.So a trainer may specifically design a specific learning path for you as a 1000 rated player but a guide(like me) uses multiplex areas of study at one time for many rating levels,not one specific level.Its like,you studied how to surf at Long beach Calif., under Mr X and now you look at TA's approach to concur climbing Mt Everest.Are you ready to do that climbing,even though you mastered surfing the waters in Calif and are in top shape mentally and physically?Probably not!But one day....maybe!You must pick and choose my hot chili foods carefully.Each one is progressively hotter than the previous one.When you get accustomed to one,then move on to the next!There is no set pattern of learning from me....like a mentor will accomplish for you.But then,I usually will teach things your trainer or mentor will never dream of teaching you!!!!And as Jkarp knows,this is a fact.

So.....

Lets start with a simple worded chess math formula....

Mainframe= A regular strong opening+natural development+proper theory follow through

Antimainframe= irregular opening+some natural development + unnatural theory follow through on occasion

Its interesting to note that,under many conditions the antimainframe games can yield quick devastating surprise value wins against your mainframe opponents,if they are not prepared,but you are!!!So a weaker opening then,is theoretically not weaker in the right prepared hands......yours perhaps?

So,lets go into just one game right now that illustrates my thoughts about going against "mainframe"thoughts:

OTB
Marshall Chess Club,NYC
Louis(White)1876
Joe(TA) Black 2400+
10/20/15
60/40+30/30+15

Basman Defense

1. e4 g5 2. d4 h6 3. f4 d5 4. fxg5 dxe4 5. Nc3 Bf5 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. d5 Nd4 8. Qd2 e5 9. dxe6 e.p. e3 10. exf7+ Kxf7 11. Bc4+ Kg6 12. Qd1 Nxc2+ 13. Kf1 Qxd1+ 14. Nxd1 Nxa1 15. Nxe3 Be4 16. h4 hxg5 17. h5+ Kg7 18. Nf3 Be7 19. Bd2 Bf6 20. Bc3 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Nc2 22. Nxc2 Bxc2 23. Nd4 Be4 24. Kf2 Nf6 25. Ne6+ Kh6 26. Re1 Rae8 27. Nxc7 Rc8 28. Bd5 Bxd5 29. Nxd5 Nxd5 0-1

chesstempo.com

Interesting little gem against a class A rated player.A class A rated player(1876) is by no means a weak player.Sure,I am much stronger,but then,my defense is a bit weaker to compensate my opponent a bit and help him win,I suppose....at least in theory!I hear all these bad things about...."stay away from those silly weak openings and opening defenses"they will simply destroy you in the end!"Many of those same or similar comments are simply made by others who have had bad experiences with them or do not really take the time and effort to study them in more defined detail to FIND the better or best avenues to proceed.

My "best" # 2 response in the Basman Defense has usually been(as above):

2....h6

This supports that g5 pawn but still allows it to do that "creepy crawly dance" to g4 to suddenly attack whites posted Knight on f3,which many times he DOES post due to that "natural development"follow through that white uses.My Rook protects the h6 pawn.

Basically,what I want to point out in this game is that: 1.It quickly destroyed my opponent with his resignation in 29 moves and 2.Already by move # 11,my King was maneuvering on that "antimainframe follow through" to still maintain a healthy positional advantage.So,no castling was necessary on my side and moving a King like I did in this game(from early on)was actually partially forced,but beneficial to me!And the key?I already knew ahead of time that the Basman defense produces these bizarre King like out of normal place moves!Should my opponent have castled?Yes,and that was part of his downfall....but not mine!He was too busy wondering what to play next against my psychologically strange way to play,and basically did several things wrong,from moving his Q out too early to allowing my e pawn to penetrate into his territory to e3.A King simple fork on move #12 was the beginning of the end for my opponent already with the follow through moves of 14...Nxa1 zapping his Rook off of the board.

Position after move #12 with 12....Nxc2+:

Notice where my King is located in the open(already positioned by move #11)and away from what appears as its safe haven zone?.Goes kind of against opening theory,right?In many standard openings,it is best to castle early(10 moves or so) and protect that King best you can through natural opening defensive moves.

Not so in my game!!This is where antimainframe games can shine!!!And this happens many times in the Basman Defense or perhaps a Sokolsky Opening(1.b4).

Again,just moves like I made above in this nice little quick game,is one of the reasons some players have a non admitted fear of playing against them!Oh,many players will never admit to it,but instead say things like...."stay away from studying those types of openings and opening defenses,because they will only destroy you in the end".Ha ha!Destroy who?Maybe them,not you,if you are prepared!!!!That is why those flappy mouths actually do NOT want to play Basmans,Grobs,Sokolskys and others.Just one game against a stronger opponent or a same rated opponent that is better prepared,can yield killer results and fast....just like the game above!Again,it makes many players feel "uncomfortable"even 2000 rated opponents who play against a Basman defense or Sokolsky Opening.Your opponents are uncomfortable on either side of the board because they have been "programmed"to believe from early on that irregular games are always a bad and weak way to proceed.Not so!Not in a well prepared study of them and then utilizing them!Truth is,a Basman defense is only a "slightly weaker" defense,not a massively horrible way to defend!!!And psychologically,the weaker value will EXCEED the weakness through surprise value to the unprepared!This is a hard cold fact....and one I have proven in this and past clubs time and time again.Sure,on the higher rating levels above 2100 it is certainly not a weapon of choice,but can still produce wins and draws ....not always losses.I have wins against 2200-2300 players that I can produce if asked.But against sub 2100 levels it is a formidable weapon to be used...but with sporadic caution against select opponents...especially those opponents of yours who you have researched in their past game record to have NEVER played some of these irregulars like a Basman or Sok.Imagine then,having studied a good # of these defenses,maybe seen a few of my Basman games(like the one above)and then come prepared to the board,unlike your opponent????Quick devastation can occur,believe me....and not for you,but your opponent!

So again,playing an irregular opening does indeed create positions that are unlike other stronger mainframe openings.And this in turn can cause a kind of "short circuit"in the psychological way your opponent responds!That fork above should have easily been seen coming a few moves before I set up that tactical position!Why not then?He is a strong player,right?Answer:The Basman had thrown him way off balance already on move #1 with 1....g5!!!! g5 may actually be a !? move,but in the right hands and by move #12 above it lead to a !! move!

So,my King was out wandering around early in the game,but with both Q's gone by move #14(already),the position of my King only creates an "illusion of weakness"!

And in conclusion,when using many of the irregulars you are "permitted"to go against the mainframe way of thinking of proper opening theory moves and still beat the pants off of your opponent.My 1876 opponent discovered this fact quite early on and quickly resigned in 29 moves.For he could not stand going on after already losing on move #12,it was too much to endure!

TA

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