Let GM Misa Pap explain the ins and outs of this crazy yet super effective variation, the essential ideas, the move order, how to play it, and how to counter it... in his brand-new course, g4 Gambit vs. Philidor.
This is the position. Just where the Pirc Defense morphs into the Philidor Defense…
White expects the exchange on e4 but Black says he will not give even the slightest advantage to White yet.
What do you do?
If you are yet another chess player who hates complexity and loves playing boring positions, you might go with a standard line…
Something like 5. Bc4, eyeing the f7 square.
But if you want to set yourself apart – and take your opponent out of his opening book – as early as the 5th move…
Here’s our solution: play the Shirov’s Gambit.
That’s right.
5. g4 and… sac that pawn!
If your opponent accepts the gift, you gain in tempo and open up a file to build up your attack on Black’s kingside.
If he does not, you push that pawn ahead and enter a very non-standard position in the Philidor Defense.
Sounds interesting? Let GM Misa Pap explain the ins and outs of this crazy yet super effective variation, the essential ideas, the move order, how to play it, and how to counter it…
… in his brand-new course, g4 Gambit vs. Philidor.
What you will learn:
- RIP g5-square! Black took away your most precious g5-square… before you could place your f3-knight on that monstrous outpost. Now what? GM Misa Pap, from his own game against Tratar in San Sebastian (2011), shows you the RIGHT backup strategy to keep pressing on Black’s position… by opening up the center instead.
- Black setting his own traps. When you play g4 on your fifth move, you confuse Black out of his wits. Often he would play something like …Qe7, putting his queen directly in front of his king and literally throwing away the game. Can you convert it into a win, though? No? Go check GM Pap’s commentary on Chapter 3.
- Qe2 sideline, yes or no? GM Pap talks about the particular Qe2 sideline which he does not recommend BUT… he suggests memorizing the line to unleash its destructive power (in case the opportunity arises). In fact, once the combination starts, you can literally knock out Black before he could get his ducks in a row. Learn how…
Outline:
Introduction
Chapter 1. g6 line
Chapter 2. g6 line games
Chapter 3. ed4 line
Chapter 4. Sidelines
Chapter 5. Alternatives to Nd2
Chapter 6. Nd2 line 1
Chapter 7. Nd2 line 2
About The Author:
GM Misa Pap (FIDE 2521)
is a self-made Serbian Grandmaster. He is a winner of 16 international tournaments with 2600+ performances, former youth Champion of Yugoslavia, and 3-times Champion of Vojvodina. GM Pap is a regular participant of the European Chess League and has over 15 years of coaching experience. He is also a regular contributor to Chess Informant.
