The Killer Grob (Pergamon Chess Series) Paperback – April 1, 1991

The book is dated, but there are not many books on this opening. The book is nicely written and concise in the sense that it wont deep into alternative move, basically the main moves and the most common replies. This is not an opening that will make you a gm, but can be great suprise factor in blitz and against players 1800 or less. Against players in 1500 - 1800 level I find that many fall for the traps covered in the book. The end of the book also has a test to see how well you understand the opening and helps you give a rating on this opening. Overall well written, dated ( but not much other material out there) and will be a great tool if your in the mood to go offbeat and throw off your opponent from move 1.

Especially recommended for those who want a chess opening that is sound, while not being stale, Michael Basman is creative, informative, and witty. Question, did anyone else notice the reference to Jerry Lee Lewis? Tee hee hee! "The killer Grob" is a joy to read, whether you employ Michael Basman's favorite system, or not. My advice: if you're familiar with playing 1.b4, a.k.a. 'The Orangutan' then the Grob is a natural complement. See also, Play 1b4!: Shock your opponents with the Sokolsky (Everyman Chess). It is strange that the Grob gets labeled as poor, but the Orangutan Opening is viewed more favorably: both share a good deal in common. They are a reversed mirror; g4 mirrors a parallel side of b4. Still, the key concepts remain very much alike. So, why not infuse something fresh, bold, and stimulating into your opening? Why not allow yourself to be more creative in the opening with the Grob.

Also, if you're looking to add, or appreciate, the psychological value of 'Shock & Awe' over the board mull over using the Grob. It will catch most club players unacquainted -- and you will find that your superior understanding gives you an edge in the earlier stages of the game. Michael Basman has used 'irregular' chess openings over his long career, in these pages; he provides some stellar examples of his pet system. Always solid in the endgame Basman persists herein with dynamic play from the get-go. Omitted is Claude Bloodgood's familiar and aggressive line, [only a brief mention is given]; Mr. Basman prefers defending the g pawn by way of h3, in contrast to: The Tactical Grob. Note: the g4 opening can be used effectively against players of Master strength; in addition, "The Killer Grob" demonstrates that Basman's reputation, as a feisty opponent is well deserved: Michael Basman's career demonstrates a vast amount of success with the Grob. I encourage players to download some of his games and explore.

Question: so, is the Grob playable -- the answer is a resounding yes!

To my way of thinking, if an opening works for a player -- then, the opening is good. Too often, the Grob is, incorrectly, categorized as unplayable, gimmicky, or weak -- a vexing, and mistaken idea. Habitually in fact, 'Unorthodox' openings get victimized by a false dichotomy: to be retrieved from either of two categories, `Virtuous' or `Substandard,' playable or unplayable. On the contrary, I find the Grob [& The Borg Defense] is like a scalpel when it is in the hands of a skilled practitioner. Duncan Vs Basman, St. Albans, 1989 is genuinely interesting -- after 12 moves Basman is ably applying steady pressure in the center: more or less steering this game: I quote page 67: "This could almost be a textbook position for Black in this variation -- he has completed his development, established a good position in the centre and even has open files against the enemy King. ..." [That's more than most of us could do in 12 moves :-).] This is an opening for the aggressive player! Still, if you are timid in your attack -- the Grob likely will assist in sharpening opening attacks.

Chess games that utilize the Grob are never dull: they are lively battles! The Grob can be used as White or Black with equal effectiveness -- Mr. Basman deals with White's ways of waging war against The Borg extremely well, [The Grob played as black is The Borg Defense]. White opens/attacks with f4, White opens with h4, White attacks with other combative schemes to counter the Borg. I especially enjoyed the portion of the book dealing with the Borg Defense. I offer an illustration of the power of the ‘Borg Defense’ [White is forced to resign.]

[Event "Tournament"]
[Site "Spain"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Muniz Carlos"]
[Black "Aguera Naredo Javier (ESP)"]
[TimeControl "-"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteELO "-"]
[BlackELO "2345"]

1.c4 g5 2.d4 h6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 c5 5.Nge2 Nc6 6.Be3 Qa5 7.Qd2 d6 8.d5 Ne5 9.Ng3 Nf6 10.f4 gxf4 11.Bxf4 Ng6 12.Be3 h5 13.Bd3 Ng4
14.Nb5 Qb6 15.h3 Nxe3 16.Qxe3 a6 17.e5 Nxe5 18.0-0 axb5 19.Rae1 bxc4 20.Bf5 Kd8 21.Bxc8 Kxc8 22.Qg5 Bf6 23.Rxf6 exf6 24.Qxf6 Qd8 25.Qf5+ Qd7 26.Qf6 Kc7 27.Ne4 Rae8 28.Kh1 b6 29.a4 Qe7 30.Qf5 Qh4 31.g3 Qe7 32.Nc3 Qd7 33.Nb5+ Kb8 34.Qf1 Nd3 35.Rb1 Re3 36.Kg2 Rhe8 37.Nc3 h4 38.g4 Qe7 39.a5 Qe5 40.axb6 Qg3+ 0-1

To sum up, this is a great book, well-written, and really fun to read: the best book dealing with the Grob. I'm reading it from cover to cover, learning Basman's lines of attack; buy this, it is well worth the price -- supplying a new hammer in the chess toolbox. There's not a dry spot in to be found in these pages.

Excellent Transaction...Recommended!

good condition

by Danny Woodall

The Killer Grob is great book to help you to play this tricky opening, for black or white.

One of the most fun chess books I've ever read. The games are entertaining and educational but the "Your Turn Now" section is tremendous and puts this book in a class of its own. There are 17 games in this section and you get points for picking the best moves in Basman "Grob" games so it's like the "Choose Your Move" games in the British Chess Magazine, except each move here is multiple choice, so you are give more direction and it makes it much more fun. Also, that section teaches you what aspects of the game you are particularly good at (by how often you match the right moves) and which aspects you need improvement on, not just with the Grob but with chess in general. Still definitely not out of date.

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!

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.