Customer Reviews

The Killer Grob (Pergamon Chess Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Published in 1991, this 170 page book has more entertainment value than actual solid positional play. IM Michael Basman has won a number of Master games with it, so regardless of Raymond Keene's opinion on this being a horrible opening, The Grob is not without logic. If you're looking for something different, this is definately it, as 1.g4 or as Black 1.e4 g5 (1.d4 h6, 2.e4 g5) can be a great 'shock value' opening for the intermediate and club player. I have won with this opening many times, but i will admit, i can't see it being a major part of my opening repertoire. It would be nice if Basman wrote a follow-up to this book for more current treaments, as well as the Gambit line of 1.g4 d5, 2.Bg7 Bxg4 which is not addressed here. This book will not appeal to all, but i am the type of player that loves to throw 'odd' lines at my opponent. There's also a small section of 3 games touching on the 'Global Opening' which deals with 1.h3 and 1.a3 or 1.h6 and 1.a6 for Black. I would like to see Basman write a book with more detailed analysis of this as well. In closing, i have to give this book 5 stars, partially because it's not as bad (at least at the intermediate level) as most people think, and it's extremely entertaining. Many people i have faced comment on how much they hate facing the Grob quite simply because they are unsure how to play against it. Most people are not 'serious' chess players, so why not go for a little gusto now and then?

Basman's Grob book is a fun read, with real-life wins so bizarre they seem to come from a fantasy chess game. One leaves this book convinced that one should add the Grob to one's blitz repertoire. Although Basman spends a fair bit of time trying to explain the theory, the "ideas behind the opening" sections of the book just don't hold up as well--but is this Basman's fault, the reader's lack of subtlety (I'm only a B player), or the simple that fact that the Grob, while immense fun, does not really line up as a good old fashioned linear opening? I'm not sure.

I love unorthodox openings, and I cannot deny the fun this book injects into chess with the Grob. But I think I'll stick to the Lengfellner System, and leave the Grobmaniacs to their party!

None other than three-times world champ Botvinnik had a high opinion of the young Basman in the 60s, saying that he reminded him of Simagin.

Now Basman is achieved notoriety by advocating the antipositional Grob. A cynic might claim that this gives him a win-win situation -- if he wins, the game is heralded, while if he loses it's put down to his choice of opening (I think a GM has made this point but I can't recall who).

Indeed, Basman is an International Master so is a strong player, so is bound to have netted some scalps.

In the 1992 New Zealand Championship, the defending champion played the Grob (or reversed Grob) in every game. He was clearly strong enough to extricate himself sometimes from a number of the messes he got himself into. But still he scored only 50% although he would clearly have been one of the favorites, and this was flattering for the opening.

In a review of the opening in Spectator some years ago, Grandmaster Raymond Keene claimed that the Grob had to about the worst first move on the board, except maybe h4. It does nothing for development or the center, commits more time to be lost by h3 in Basman's line, and weakens the K-side. And Keene backed up his judgement by a severe thrashing of Basman, which he noted was unlikely to appear in pro-Grob books ...

I couldn't give a book only one star, when it has such entertainment value, and might even help a few club players net some points. But be warned: the novelty will wear off, and it will be necessary to learn a proper opening.

When I see the opening used in 2600+ events, then I might revise my opinion. I really doubt that I'll need to change my mind.

In this book Basman shows that the Grob opening is actually a dangerous weapon in the hands of an experienced practitioner. He proceeds to show his many victims (some of whom are very well known) as they struggled vainly against the Grob. There is a section of games for you to try and discover your own Grob potential, with the use of the "Grobometer". This book is surprisingly addictive and will provide many hours of amusement and even more hours of serious fun if you decide that the Killer Grob is opening for you!

This opening is very strong, in the right hands... its clearly not for everyone, it has it all, it can be played as a closed position, semi closed, or open. "what more do you want"
Very! Very! Fun. it will be part of my repertiore for life
Long live THE KILLER GROB.

This opening works as well for black as it does for white. Pushing the king-knight's pawn two spaces on the first move seems ridiculous at first sight but Basman shows that this may be the best way to ultimately control the center. There is an intersting "test-yourself" section at the back of the book with examples from master play where the reader picks from choices at each move and then receives a rating.

Many people are impressed by the fact that IM Michael Basman win by playing stuff like sct. georges defense, the global opening (1. a3 2. h3) and finally, the GROB (1.g4). HOWEVER, I am personally of the opinion, that if you as a mediocre 12-1400 player look at these openings and think that they're all that, and play 'em, you will learn your lesson ! The Grob Opening is probably the WORST opening on the board, except for the EVANS BLASTOFF (1. h4), seeing they both severely weaken the kingside. IM Michael Basman may play these openings - and win!- but it is not thanks to some strange opening that he wins, he is a strong middlegame and endgame player, and that pays off. Finally there's the so called "psychological effect" which one might aim at, like one might aim at catching a meteor with one's tongue. My advice is play solid and safe ! If you are going to play agressive play 1. e4, but of course 1. d4 can also be very aggressive. Do this, seeing they are just as aggressive, instead of playing silly, weird and unsound openings.