Shucking the Corn Stalk Defense by TN

Tired of equal positions? Try the sidelines!

Contents:

Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Introduction
Chapter 1: FADQ (Frequently Asked Dumb Questions)
Chapter 2: Black's Plans, Ideas and Themes
Chapter 3: The Histories
Chapter 4: The Novelty Effect
Chapter 5: Key Pawn Structures
Chapter 6: The Endgame
Chapter 7: Wrapping it all Up

Acknowledgements

I'd like to thank all my opponents who did not resign after seeing the move 1...a5.

Bibliography

Starting Out: 1 e4
Opening for White According to Anand volume 5
The Italian Gambit and A Guiding Repertoire for White
The Chess Advantage in Black and White
A Startling Chess Opening repertoire
Attacking Repertoire for White

These are the only books Anonymous considered to be important.

Introduction

It's not easy finding a good opening to play against 1.e4, especially if you don't know the difference between a Pirc and a Modern. If you choose a trendy opening, you can be sure that every Russian schoolboy will know it better than you.

This book provides a solution that will last you a lifetime. TN advocates the opening on which he is the world's leading expert - the humble Corn Stalk Defence - but instead of advocating a ferocious repertoire like those crumby Everyman books, he analyses all of Black's key possibilities to make it impossible for your opponent to prepare. The Corn Stalk Defence is very easy to learn and play - perfect for those who want to get some wins on the board against Rybka 4. But there's also something here for World Champions, as TN goes on to offer his thoughts on the Goldsmith (or Pickering) Defence, which he used to defeat Carlsen in a bullet game.

• Don't waste any more money on repertoire books
• All dumb questions are covered
• An interesting opening written by its' leading expert
• Ideal for all players

TN is a hardcore Corn Stalk Defense devotee. He recently gained his first GM norm by playing 1.a4 and 1...a5 in all of his games.

Chapter 1: FADQ (Frequently Asked Dumb Questions)

...

To find out the rest, buy the book! 

(Of 1.h4)
"I have to report at age 8 it was my favourite move because I could quickly activate my rook via h3."  (Gary Lane, Opening Lanes #58)

Unfortunately, 1.e4 a5 2.d4 Ra6 probably won't leave the rook in active play for very long.  White should beware of the Scholar's Mate attempt 1.e4 a5 2.Qh5 Ra6 3.Bc4(?) due to 3...Rg6! which defends the rook and stops the mate.

I imagine that for the most gambit-inclined players even 2.b4 might work because it may be an improvement on the Sicilian Wing Gambit. 

Anonymous3 wrote on 10/06/10 at 05:39:17:

Did someone hack into your account?? 
I know that you own "The Chess Advantage in Black and White" because you regularly quote from it. Suspicious.

ErictheRed wrote on 10/06/10 at 16:48:33:


Don't have a go at Anonymous3. I beat him three times in a row with 1...a5...in one minute.

I heard of 1 a4, the Meadow Hay, or Ware, Opening. According to my sources, it was first played in the 1880s. Thus, 1 e4 a5 seems to be the Black version of this same opening. Seriously.

Besides, after 1 e4 a5 2 d4 b6 3 Bd3 Bb7 you have a fianchetto-type position. Nothing wrong there. Black might try ...d6, ...c5 at some point.

I'm truly sorry for being a jerk, but it has to be asked: why do people even respond to Anonymous3's questions?

Anonymous3 wrote on 10/06/10 at 05:39:17:


They recommend bursting into uncontrollable laughter, then looking at your opponent like he is an idiot and playing 2.Qh5. If your opponent plays 1...a5, there's a good chance they will fall for Scholar's Mate.