The Basman Attack

The Basman Attack

Definition

The Basman Attack is an off-beat chess opening that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. g4!? (or, more generally, 1. d4 followed very quickly by g2–g4). It is named after English International Master Michael Basman (b. 1946), who became famous in the 1970s and 80s for employing a series of ultra-unorthodox flank-pawn thrusts—most notably the Grob (1. g4) and its cousin, the Basman Attack.

How It Is Used in Play

The idea is simple but startling: White attempts to seize kingside space and disturb Black’s typical Indian-style development by pushing the g-pawn two squares on move two, often hoping to follow with h3, Bg2 and a rapid expansion on the wing. Because the pawn move leaves both the white king and the f4-square vulnerable, the line is objectively dubious, but it can be highly practical as a surprise weapon—especially in blitz and rapid games where theoretical depth is limited.

Typical Move Orders

• Versus Indian setups – 1. d4 Nf6 2. g4!?
• Versus 1…d5 – 1. d4 d5 2. g4!? (often called the “Borg-Grob reversed,” but still attributed to Basman).

After 1. d4 Nf6 2. g4, Black’s most principled response is 2…Nxg4, grabbing the pawn and testing White’s compensation head-on. Play can continue:

White gains a lead in development and some kingside initiative, but must prove enough for the sacrificed pawn.

Strategic Themes

• Wing space vs. central solidity – White’s advanced g-pawn restricts Black’s minor pieces (especially a kingside bishop), but weakens the own king and f4 square.
• Psychological weapon – The early pawn thrust drags the opponent into unfamiliar territory on move two. Basman himself quipped that “soundness is often an overrated virtue in practical play.”
• Dynamic compensation – If Black grabs on g4, White aims for quick piece play: Nc3, e4-e5, h3, Bg2, 0-0-0 and sometimes an exchange sacrifice on g4 or h6.
• Flexible transpositions – When Black declines the pawn with 2…d5 or 2…g6, the game can transpose to a kind of King’s Fianchetto Opening with the pawn already on g4, offering White free kingside space.

Historical Significance

Michael Basman began experimenting with 1. g4 in the late 1960s, but by the mid-1970s he realized that placing the move after 1. d4 gave him an extra tempo compared with the Grob while avoiding some of its sharpest antidotes. He scored several notable wins against strong British players, including Jonathan Speelman and Tony Miles, causing the line to be dubbed the “Basman Attack.” Although it has never enjoyed mainstream acceptance, the opening exemplifies Basman’s broader influence: challenging classical dogma and encouraging creative, if risky, play.

Illustrative Game

Basman’s best-known demonstration is often cited from the 1978 British Championship:

[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|g4|Nxg4|e4|d5|e5|c5|h3|Nh6|dxc5|e6|Bxh6|gxh6|Nc3|Bxc5|Qd2|Qc7|O-O-O|a6|Ne4|dxe4|Qxh6|Bxf2|Qg7|Rf8|Bg2|e3|Rhf1|Nd7|Rd6| |fen|r4rk1|1ppq1p1p|p2pp2Q|2P5|4P3|4p2P|P1PP2BP|2KR1R2 b - - 0 22| |arrows|g7g8,e4e6|}

Basman – Pritchett, British Ch. 1978. White’s pawn lunge led to a long-lasting initiative, and Basman converted the attack in 34 moves.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Basman once entered a simultaneous exhibition against junior players blindfolded—and still opened every game with 1. g4 or 1. d4 g4.
• Because ECO classifies 1. d4 Nf6 2. g4 under A00 (“Irregular Openings”), the Basman Attack shares a code with 1. a3 and 1. h4, a reminder of its off-beat nature.
• Some online bullet specialists—most notably Andrew Tang (Andrew Tang)—occasionally wheel out the Basman Attack to confuse engines that have book knowledge but limited time to prove refutations.
• In computer evaluations, the move 2. g4 typically scores between –0.7 and –1.2 for White, yet practical results at club level hover close to 50 %, underscoring the difference between objective soundness and human play.

Related Openings

• Grob Attack – 1. g4, the direct cousin of the Basman Attack played on move one.
• St. George Defence – 1…a6 employed by Basman with Black, sharing the same “flank first” philosophy.
• Orangutan Opening – 1. b4, another wing-pawn system that prioritises flank space over central occupation.

Practical Tips

1. If you play it: be ready to sacrifice the g-pawn and strike in the centre with e4-e5 or c4. Tactics often decide the game early.
2. If you face it: the simplest route is 2…Nxg4! Black should then meet 3.e4 with 3…d5, rapidly returning material if necessary to finish development.
3. Always keep an eye on the weakened f4 and h4 squares; knights love to hop in via f6–h5–f4.

Summary

The Basman Attack is an imaginative, objectively risky wing-pawn assault introduced by Michael Basman. It trades conventional central control for surprise value and sharp, tactical play. While unlikely to appear in elite classical tournaments, it remains a flamboyant and educational weapon—perfect for players who enjoy steering opponents into the unknown from the very first moves.