To start, I would like to bring attention to the new title for my blog; "Chess in Black and White". This is issue 2 and will briefly diagram some solid off beat openings to play as white. This will allow you to compare different lines and openings side by side to help surprise your opponents.
Van Geet: I have never played this opening or played against it, but have read about it several times. It is often used as a transpositional tool more than its own opening. Certainly something to take a look at for faster time controls.
Anderssen: This is my off beat opening of choice. While white does basically give up their first move, a3 is often a move I wish I had time for in other openings. This set up is obviously very flexible, and often played by those seeking a reversed french position as white.
Hungarian: Similar to 1.a3 in that it gives away the initiative but is flexible. It is often used to transpose into an English.
Polish: I have seen this one played quite a bit, and it can be quite scary for both sides. Lots of traps for white, and I have seen several 2000+ players lose to it in faster time controls. Overall it is relatively sound.
Grob: similar to the polish, but perhaps less sound.
When playing offbeat as white it is important to keep several things in mind going into the game.
1. We are not computers and should not be expected to always play the best move, nor sahould we want to. As humans there is a pycological component to chess, and an off beat move can give an edge in that way. My blogs are geared towards otb play, meaning when people do not use databases, analysis boards, and engines.
2. The lines I showed were "best" play, which means each opening has lots of traps that can give white a big edge. Often if you play an offbeat opening as white you will know it better than your opposition.
3. None of these should be your main go to opening. Everyone needs several openings and these are offbeat for a reason. If you play these all the time you lose the advantage of surprise.
4. Remember to have fun. Chess is first and foremost a way to enjoy yourself, so there is no reason you must only play e4 and d4, switch it up every now and then and have fun with something new.
5. Fast games are when these openings are best. If any of us is given enough time we become more likely to find better moves. Surprising your opponent with one of these when they only have 30 min on their clock instead of 3 hours is a great feeling.
I hope this was a fun and informative read. Please feel free to ask questions. If you decide to try any of them, post the games in the comments for others to see!
Rember to track or friend me so you make sure you do not miss the coming issues!
What to look forward to:
Tomorrow: with be the basic principles of endgame
Thursday: will be an annotated game of mine from an OTB tournament, I am thinking a Double Muzio Gambit!
This weekend: I will post "The week in review"
Thank you for reading!
-Michael Porcelli
