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The Orangutang

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2nd May 2009, 06:02pm
#1
by Qwertykeyboard
New York United States
Member Since: Mar 2009
Member Points: 102

Does any one play this? It's one of the worst openings I've seen. First move, b4.

2nd May 2009, 06:09pm
#2
by Poketo
Iowa United States
Member Since: Feb 2009
Member Points: 1182

It isn't really the worst it is just a different opening.  A few Grand Masters have played and won many times and what it does is getting people unprepaired and takes control of a different part of the board for games.  Not many people play it though because it does not have the best way to study and get lines that work 100%.

 

If you study it you can find better ways to play it.

2nd May 2009, 06:12pm
#3
by ih8sens
Sudbury, Ontario Canada
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 3347

There's a guy at the local club (1900) who plays this line quite regularly ... even against masters at times.  It can't be that bad :P.  On the other hand it's obviously not an ideal choice and if you expect to make it very far in chess you'll need an opening foundation that isn't totally rotten :P

2nd May 2009, 08:39pm
#4
by Elubas
United States
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 7816

The orangutang is certainly inferior but maybe playable. It probably gives black an advantage though and I would recomend a different hypermodern opening that doesn't waste as much time. The queenside pawns can also become weak, since black will have the center. It's not as bad as it looks though.

3rd May 2009, 01:05pm
#5
by Qwertykeyboard
New York United States
Member Since: Mar 2009
Member Points: 102
jamesjddongchess wrote:

check out matt pullin's video on beating the orangutan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o59s7twVCO0

The best move to counter attack b4 is to play e6.


 Actually, the more common 2nd move for white is b5, limiting knight possibilities for black.

 

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