e6-d6 center, delaying castle to surprise opponents with Black
I often get asked how to avoid theory and create unbalanced positions with Black.
I looked at titled players games and I found something used across various openings. They typically use these against weaker opponents where they are playing for a win with the black pieces.
Idea 1: Postpone Castling. I know basic theory is to put king to safety with Black and develop rooks,etc. Not here
Idea 2: Develop e6-d6, Nbd7-Nf6, Be7 and Bb7 i.e control squares white will occupy with pawns.
Idea 3: At the right time, push h7-h5 or g7-g5 or both. preferably after White went to castle. Then leave King in center or castle but much later on.
Now I will illustrate games where Black is typically higher rated than white and goes for the plan above.
Here is how to memorize the set-up you should aim for :
Now you may say, does this actually work ? Yes.
Game 1 Fighting Trompovksy
Game 3: Fighting Queen's Indian/London Defence
Game 4: Fighting Closed Sicilian with h7-h5
Game 6: Fighting Maroczy c4-e4 in sicilian with h7-h5 and g5 next
Game 7: Fighting Be3,Qd2,f3 plan in sicilian with early h7-h5, with b7-b5 instead of b7-b6