anyone heard of the Sniper opening

[Aris Marghetis]

I heard it was an opening system for Black, basically g6-Bg7-c5, with many transposition possibilities, like to Sicilians, KIDs, etc. Any opinions on the effectiveness of this approach?

[Patrick Kirby]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

I heard it was an opening system for Black, basically g6-Bg7-c5, with many transposition possibilities, like to Sicilians, KIDs, etc. Any opinions on the effectiveness of this approach?

I thought it was called the pterodactyl?! One of Lawrence Day's secret weapons..

Anyway, it's not a bad opening as long as you know your transpositions well. I once played 1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 and tricked my opponent into a bad version of the Benoni after 4...d6 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.a4 Nf6?! (6...Bxc3!?) 7.Nf3

http://chesstempo.com/gamedb/game/755630

[Michael Yip]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

There's a book on this opening. I thought is was awful. I gave the book away the first chance I got.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

I thought it was called the pterodactyl?!

I thought the Pterodactyl is characterized with black playing Qa5.

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

There's a book on this opening. I thought is was awful. I gave the book away the first chance I got.

Hi Michael, did you think the opening was awful, or just the book? If the latter, would you happen to remember the title and/or author, so that I could avoid it? Thanks in advance.

[Michael Yip]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

Hi Michael, did you think the opening was awful, or just the book? If the latter, would you happen to remember the title and/or author, so that I could avoid it? Thanks in advance.

The book was awful.http://www.newinchess.com/The_Sniper-p-6046.html

Coverage was inconsistent and unconvincing.
I couldn't form an opinion on the opening based on the book.

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

The book was awful.http://www.newinchess.com/The_Sniper-p-6046.html

Coverage was inconsistent and unconvincing.
I couldn't form an opinion on the opening based on the book.

Thanks Michael ... I don't know if there are any other books on this opening system ...

[Michael Yip]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

Thanks Michael ... I don't know if there are any other books on this opening system ...

I have been using 1...d6 and the book 1...d6 Move-by-Move from Everyman. A very useful series of books.

They have a new book 1...g6. Could be worth a look.

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

I have been using 1...d6 and the book 1...d6 Move-by-Move from Everyman. A very useful series of books.

They have a new book 1...g6. Could be worth a look.

Thanks Michael!

[Lawrence Day]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

I haven't read either, but "Fly the Pterodactyl" recently published by Eric Schiller via Ishi Press must be better than "The Sniper" which I glanced through at the book stall for two minutes and concluded that it seemed to bear a similar relation to chess literature as the Pussy Riot did to music composition. I know Eric had a giant file of example games
which I used to prepare in 2005 at London. He also has a U-tub video exploring 1e4 g6 2d4 Bg7 3Nc3 c5 4dxc5 Bxc3 5bxc3 Qa5 6Qd4 Nf6 7Qb4 Qc7 8Bb5!? (California move).

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

I haven't read either, but "Fly the Pterodactyl" recently published by Eric Schiller via Ishi Press must be better than "The Sniper" which I glanced through at the book stall for two minutes and concluded that it seemed to bear a similar relation to chess literature as the Pussy Riot did to music composition. I know Eric had a giant file of example games
which I used to prepare in 2005 at London. He also has a U-tub video exploring 1e4 g6 2d4 Bg7 3Nc3 c5 4dxc5 Bxc3 5bxc3 Qa5 6Qd4 Nf6 7Qb4 Qc7 8Bb5!? (California move).

Hi Lawrence, thank you for your reply. But, and this is not to bad-mouth him, I thought I had heard that E.S. was not a very good author? If I am incorrect, I will change that view.

[Alvah Mayo]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

I thought it was called the pterodactyl?! One of Lawrence Day's secret weapons..

Anyway, it's not a bad opening as long as you know your transpositions well. I once played 1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 and tricked my opponent into a bad version of the Benoni after 4...d6 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.a4 Nf6?! (6...Bxc3!?) 7.Nf3

http://chesstempo.com/gamedb/game/755630

Puzzling/amusing commentary to be sure. According to the website you gave, 76 of the 91 games in the position after 6.a4 saw Nf6 played, with that move showing the lowest White winning percentage of the three given candidate moves. In my view it is a perfectly reasonable move although it is good to see that I was not the only one to be, as you say, "tricked".

I also have my doubts about your evaluation of 6...Bxc3 (which you awarded a !?). I personally wouldn't be caught dead playing that move in the above position (after 6.a4) and according to the same website, neither has anyone else.

[Alvah Mayo]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

I heard it was an opening system for Black, basically g6-Bg7-c5, with many transposition possibilities, like to Sicilians, KIDs, etc. Any opinions on the effectiveness of this approach?

Hi Aris,
I think the opening concept is highly effective due in no small part to its extreme flexibility and counterattacking nature. When I was in Ottawa I played it almost exclusively in my Black games (in essence daring the booked up opposition to "prepare their worst") and never had occasion to feel uncomfortable in the opening phase.
If you have any particular questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

Hi Aris,
I think the opening concept is highly effective due in no small part to its extreme flexibility and counterattacking nature. When I was in Ottawa I played it almost exclusively in my Black games (in essence daring the booked up opposition to "prepare their worst") and never had occasion to feel uncomfortable in the opening phase.
If you have any particular questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

Hi Alvah, thanks for your reply. From what you wrote, it SEEMS this opening concept might suit my somewhat counter-attacking style as Black, which is currently a lot of Alekhines and King Indians. However, I am several hundred points below your level.

Is there a particular book(s) that you would recommend for me to explore this with?

P.S. If I am not mistaken, one of your games, a very original one, was included in Silman's latest edition of How to Reassess Your Chess? Congrats, that is awesome!

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: anyone heard of the Sniper opening

Is there a particular book(s) that you would recommend for me to explore this with?!

As an opening employs a g7 bishop you should read Gufeld's treatises :D

I think the opening at your level (below IM) is a good choice. Not mainstream, with a clear plan (a move sequence). You may get a little bit cranky positions as in Alekhine too LOL