Oct `99 Update
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There is a definite case of cat and mouse about this month's update. Many Black players seem to delight in setting up a defensive barrier and challenging White to break it down almost irrespective of White's opening choice. Fortunately if White keeps his nerve and avoids a premature release of tension the rewards are there to be reaped as we shall see.
Trompowsky
AS76: Knightmare in the Tromp: Playing against the highly respected GM Bogdan Lalic is never anyone`s cup of tea. In the following game I managed to bamboozle him with the Tromp leaving him in a passive position from the start. One fantastic knight manoeuvre later (if I do say so myself!) left him open to a spectacular sacrificial finish.
AS77: Another one bites the dust: You might expect amateur players to be confused by the offbeat openings on this site but surely not seasoned pro's, especially a 2600+ GM. Well just take a look at the following.
Torre Attack
AS78: Dealing with Hedgehogs: In the following game White has to deal with a stubborn opponent who is content to sit back and let White come at him. The result is a fine disply of controlled aggression.
London System
AS79: From the Sedate to the Savage: I know there have been some disgruntled London system advocates who feel I have given the opening a hard time. I have therefore decided to redress the balance starting this month. It is clear that there are some nice attacking ideas that White can use if he is so inclined as the following game shows.
AS80: Hidden teeth: When playing against a very aggressive opponent the London System can be a very effective weapon. In the following game White efficently tames the "Tiger" and defangs him at an early stage.
Barry Attack
AS81: Some people never learn: Despite it having been well documented in the 1980's some Black players seem to be oblivious to the fact that ...b6 is a bad idea. I have a feeling it is a lesson they learn somewhat painfully!
Veresov
AS82: A vicious assault: In the following game after Black essays the somewhat provocative 3...g6, White launches a full scale kingside attack right from the first few moves.
Colle
AS83: Borrowing ideas from the Stonewall: One nice factor when playing the d pawn Specials is that many of the attacking ideas are interchangable between the openings. Here White copies an idea from the Stonewall by grabbing space on the kingside with f4 and when Black follows suit he simply is left with a prospectless position.
Blackmar-Diemer
AS84: A giant-killing spectacular: When you're David facing Goliath it pays to attack from the word go. The Blackmar-Diemer gambit makes an effective sling shot.
AS85: Watch out for f7: The Blackmar Diemer Gambit also proves very popular with correspondence players. There is not too much official theory for prospective opponents to check and the opening tends to be underestimated. If you can trust your opponent not to turn on his computer then it's almost certainly worth a go for the shock value. In the next game over the board Black finds himself hopelessly outgunned from an early stage.