|GRASSDESERT |PUZZLE| |GRASSDESERT PICTURES|

Grassdesert

Hello and welcome to the page that details the Grass Desert position on a chessboard. This position is fairly uncommon and difficult to achieve, but may offer substantial rewards if it is achieved. Do not go out of your way to achieve this position. However, sometimes the opportunity presents itself, and then you could possibly attain a similar position to this one.

Advantages Quick development of the minor pieces, tempting the opposing Bishops to trade for the Knights. Twinned Bishops parked strategically against diagonal threats on the castled King. The "Grass Desert" is so named because of the relatively barren board, with only a clump of pieces in the center 16.

Disadvantages Be2 is cramped, and serves a purely defensive role until lines of fire open up. A defensive hole at d4, allowing opposing minor pieces to park and threaten. Both Knights allow themselves to be pinned in the early stages of the game. The unpinning maneuvers must occur quickly to alleviate this problem.

Move Sequence e4. The King's Pawn Opening. c4. One of the myriad 2nd moves available. Nc3. Defending the e4 pawn. d3. Against the expected previous Bb4 pin. Be3. Securing the horizontal file first. Nf3. Tempts another pin. Be2. Clearing the way for... 0-0. Castling and unravelling the pin. A short opening sequence allows for a multitude of maneuvers, primarily with the Queen and the Queenside pawns. c5 is a possibility to be considered.

Pitfalls Throughout the entire opening sequence, black can give white trouble with these moves: Nd4 parks the Knight in the center, and trading for it would then cause a black pawn to be parked there Bh6 removes one of the two defenders against the desired Nd4 move Qa5 backs the Bishop on b4, or threatens a Bxa3 hit if Ra1 moves away

Similar Openings 1. e4 e5 is the King's Pawn Game. 2. c4 is a common variation.

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