was there ever a book?

Was there ever a book on the CRAB!!

I mean 1.a4 2.h4 regardless of blacks reply?

and also....what is it called when black plays 1...a5 and 2...h5 regardless of whites opening?

Originally posted by chessisvanity
Was there ever a book on the CRAB!!

I mean 1.a4 2.h4 regardless of blacks reply?

and also....what is it called when black plays 1...a5 and 2...h5 regardless of whites opening?

The obvious answer would be probably not since there are so many variations that black can play and there isn't really any theory in it as 1.a4 2.h4 are just bad moves.

I think that Tim Harding wrote a book on unusual openings in the early 1980's. It had weird stuff like the Crab, the Grob, and the Cabbage (...c6 ...a6 ...b6 ...b5 ...a5 ...g6 ....e6).

Originally posted by chessisvanity

and also....what is it called when black plays 1...a5 and 2...h5 regardless of whites opening?

"cr@p"

😞

Originally posted by Dragon Fire
Game 2764273

Unfortunately, thats simply a cash of outclassing your opponent.

Originally posted by chessisvanity
Was there ever a book on the CRAB!!

I mean 1.a4 2.h4 regardless of blacks reply?

and also....what is it called when black plays 1...a5 and 2...h5 regardless of whites opening?

The reversed CRAB is called the BARC

if you don't play those moves in that order, then it's a low-carb opening

It just happened that I know someone in my hometown who plays the crab. He doesn't play in FIDE rated tournaments because of the cost of going to one and the fee; his national rating is about the same of his other countrymen who are rated around 2000+ elo.

My first impression of him was obvious as soon as I saw him unleash the "crab". He doesn't know what the opening is called but he calls it "Serangan sereng" or Side-swipes. (serangan=attack (swipes sounds better, sereng=side). He knows he wouldn't be able to castle but sets up a fortress in the middle, and to rip it open, unless prepared properly, would require boldness to let go of material, and also he's used to defending it.

If the other guy hesitates to rip open the center, he'd proceed building pressure on either side of the opponent's open files whichever side his pawn advance weakens the most. And it was also dangerous to those unprepared for it, especially when they've castled.

Whenever anybody draws in a balanced endgame position still full of life, he'd spring up and challenges everyone to take on one side and he'd play it to conclusion. Players loved to gather and watch him demonstrate converting theoretical advantages in the endgame, and once I, a brash kid then, openly pointed out a move I thought he played wrongly, only to be given an endgame lesson (I missed a couple of intermezzos).

In my opinion, below master level, the crab is as sound as any other opening.

did he play it as black too? or just white?

Originally posted by zebano
Unfortunately, thats simply a cash of outclassing your opponent.

Ouch!
:'(
I almost had him here Game 3078056

thats a grob.

Originally posted by chessisvanity
thats a grob.

Well yes. It was more the point that with a 400-500 rating difference it doesn't matter what handicapping opening the better player uses - a win is almost certain once they begin to equalise again.