The Cry of the Possum! - Page 2 - OzChess

**Dulce** · 01-31-2009, 06:19 AM

haha, ok i get the point

**Jaz** · 02-01-2009, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by Jaydon

It's an uber modern opening that you can't find on google

It is interesting that new strategies are still invented for a centuries old game. I wonder why is it called the possum opening though? Is it from the word "oppose" which would describe the opening very well or perhaps "opossum", which, I don't know, perhaps describes the players using that opener?

**Noddy** · 02-01-2009, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jaz

It is interesting that new strategies are still invented for a centuries old game. I wonder why is it called the possum opening though? Is it from the word "oppose" which would describe the opening very well or perhaps "opossum", which, I don't know, perhaps describes the players using that opener?

It is called the possum because it was first used by a master named Joseph Possum way back in 1880.

**Jaydon** · 05-08-2009, 06:30 PM

The possum strikes fear into the hearts of many. Some have simply resigned after seeing f3!! Others have elected to play on and in turn their heads have exploded!

**Just2Good** · 05-08-2009, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Jaydon

The possum strikes fear into the hearts of many. Some have simply resigned after seeing f3!! Others have elected to play on and in turn their heads have exploded!

Yes, I recall one very promising player (Varlamov) who beat Bobby Fischer 4-0 in a secret series in 1973. Many Soviet Grandmasters said this wonder kid from Samara, USSR, had the potential to be the next world chess champion, and he probably did. However, one day he was paired against none other than our Grandmaster Axiom. After the Axe played 2. f3, Varlamov (foolishly) decided to play on. They had to take him out on a stretch, and to this day he remains in a comatose state!

**Jaydon** · 05-09-2009, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by Arrogant-One

Yes, I recall one very promising player (Varlamov) who beat Bobby Fischer 4-0 in a secret series in 1973. Many Soviet Grandmasters said this wonder kid from Samara, USSR, had the potential to be the next world chess champion, and he probably did. However, one day he was paired against none other than our Grandmaster Axiom. After the Axe played 2. f3, Varlamov (foolishly) decided to play on. They had to take him out on a stretch, and to this day he remains in a comatose state!

Some people just don't quite realise what they're getting themselves into, physcologically and physically.

**Just2Good** · 05-09-2009, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jaydon

Some people just don't quite realise what they're getting themselves into, physcologically and physically.

Well, certainly not the poor Varlamov!

**Jaydon** · 07-05-2009, 08:18 PM

Here is a highly instructional possum game as plyed by our very own possum master Axiom.

**Lekko** · 12-04-2009, 02:31 AM

I don't know much theory on the opening, but here are some games I played on FICS today.

**Jaydon** · 12-07-2009, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by Heartbreak Kid

I don't know much theory on the opening, but here are some games I played on FICS today.

Nice job! Playing the possum! There were a few thematic possum moves that were missed but you won most of them, and dont forget the expansion on the kingside!

02-01-2009, 07:23 AM	#17 (permalink)
Jaz Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 87	Originally Posted by Jaydon It's an uber modern opening that you can't find on google It is interesting that new strategies are still invented for a centuries old game. I wonder why is it called the possum opening though? Is it from the word "oppose" which would describe the opening very well or perhaps "opossum", which, I don't know, perhaps describes the players using that opener?

02-01-2009, 12:29 PM	#18 (permalink)
Noddy Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toyland Posts: 256	Originally Posted by Jaz It is interesting that new strategies are still invented for a centuries old game. I wonder why is it called the possum opening though? Is it from the word "oppose" which would describe the opening very well or perhaps "opossum", which, I don't know, perhaps describes the players using that opener? It is called the possum because it was first used by a master named Joseph Possum way back in 1880.

05-08-2009, 07:54 PM	#20 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Originally Posted by Jaydon The possum strikes fear into the hearts of many. Some have simply resigned after seeing f3!! Others have elected to play on and in turn their heads have exploded! Yes, I recall one very promising player (Varlamov) who beat Bobby Fischer 4-0 in a secret series in 1973. Many Soviet Grandmasters said this wonder kid from Samara, USSR, had the potential to be the next world chess champion, and he probably did. However, one day he was paired against none other than our Grandmaster Axiom. After the Axe played 2. f3, Varlamov (foolishly) decided to play on. They had to take him out on a stretch, and to this day he remains in a comatose state! __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

05-09-2009, 12:07 AM	#21 (permalink)
Jaydon SCTC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Queensland, Gold Coast Posts: 1,101 ICC Handle: Aussieboy007 FICS Handle: Bermusia	Originally Posted by Arrogant-One Yes, I recall one very promising player (Varlamov) who beat Bobby Fischer 4-0 in a secret series in 1973. Many Soviet Grandmasters said this wonder kid from Samara, USSR, had the potential to be the next world chess champion, and he probably did. However, one day he was paired against none other than our Grandmaster Axiom. After the Axe played 2. f3, Varlamov (foolishly) decided to play on. They had to take him out on a stretch, and to this day he remains in a comatose state! Some people just don't quite realise what they're getting themselves into, physcologically and physically.

05-09-2009, 01:35 PM	#22 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Originally Posted by Jaydon Some people just don't quite realise what they're getting themselves into, physcologically and physically. Well, certainly not the poor Varlamov! __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

01-31-2009, 06:19 AM	#16 (permalink)
Dulce Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 76	haha, ok i get the point

05-08-2009, 06:30 PM	#19 (permalink)
Jaydon SCTC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Queensland, Gold Coast Posts: 1,101 ICC Handle: Aussieboy007 FICS Handle: Bermusia	The possum strikes fear into the hearts of many. Some have simply resigned after seeing f3!! Others have elected to play on and in turn their heads have exploded!

12-07-2009, 12:16 AM	#25 (permalink)
Jaydon SCTC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Queensland, Gold Coast Posts: 1,101 ICC Handle: Aussieboy007 FICS Handle: Bermusia	Originally Posted by Heartbreak Kid I don't know much theory on the opening, but here are some games I played on FICS today. Nice job! Playing the possum! There were a few thematic possum moves that were missed but you won most of them, and dont forget the expansion on the kingside!

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