The Spear Point

Has anyone see reference to the g2-g4 "Spear Point" method in any literature besides the ICS Lessons?

Can't say that I have, but I'll do some research for ya.

No I.

Not having made it to month 5 yet, what are they talking about? I know they have mentioned other items by a name I had not heard before...but had heard by another name. For example, the 'coordinating piece'...where a rook or queen is not exchanged so that they can help the remaining minor perform. John Emms in one of his 'Simple Chess' books (More Simple Chess, I think) laid out the same idea...totally different name or maybe he did not even give it a name. Either way, I was familiar with it.

The Spear Point first appears, and is the main theme in the 8th annotated game; Ceteras - Pasarelu 2001.

The idea is to quickly grab space  by advancing the g-pawn (without pawn support), eject the f6-knight to take control of the d5-square, and eventually with support of the f and h pawns break through on the kingside.

I've collected a number of annotated games using Chessbase with a position plus maneuver search on the chesspub archives. Chesspub annotators have been using the term g4-thrust.

Looking over the statistics it is overwhelmingly successful at the below master level and causes no damage at the master/elite levels. Computers seem to undervalue the move so makes it interesting since it is purely positional play.

I've never seen it in other literature, and it look's very effective in the examples of the course. This however, I have the strong feeling that I will not apply this in my games very easily because it will also open your own kingside protection.

This was one of those things that I ultimately ignored.

BorgQueen wrote:This was one of those things that I ultimately ignored.

It's clearly an idea for OTB play meant to make a opponent burn so clock time. Following the current crop of elite GMs they are often trying to mix it up with moves like this. Probably influenced to Carlsen's play!

1.g4 I call the Borg Attack... I have played it and faced it in blitz several times.  I still haven't studied it though ^_^

BorgQueen wrote:1.g4 I call the Borg Attack... I have played it and faced it in blitz several times.  I still haven't studied it though ^_^

I like it! I've seen it as well in fun tournaments along with Bird's Opening.

There's usually two responses:

(a) immediate central pawn push
(b) a WTF moment followed by 15 seconds of "what do I do"

Finally came across a good description of the technique in Smirnov's opening videos where he discusses the g4 thrust in the context of opening development.

Although he doesn't call it the spear point, there's no doubt it is the same maneuver. Smirnov does a very nice job in describing the idea, along with the rationale in terms of opening theory.

Just found an article about the "spear point" idea on the Smirnov site:
Early wing attack

I'll have to check that out... at chess.com there is a call for me to know this opening!

Do you have a link Mystique?

@Borgqueen: click on the [ early wing attack] That's the link. If that doesn't work try :

http://chess-teacher.com/early-wing-attack/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=quick_success&utm_content=Remote+Chess+Academy%3A+Build+Up+a+Sharp+Opening+Repertoire

Thanks :-) I found it in my inbox about 2 minutes after I posted that ^_^

I thought it was 1.g4 or 1.e4...g5. The Grob or reversed Grob (sometimes called the BORG, which is why it interested me), but it's a variant of the semi slav. Booooo ^_^

Still gonna study it out though.