Paleface Attack
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Paleface Attack
Can anyone advise how and why (and even when) this opening got its name?
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Re: Paleface Attack
For those of us who had never heard of it, the line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. f3.Neil Graham wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:52 pmCan anyone advise how and why (and even when) this opening got its name?
As to where the name comes from, pass, but the idea is a sort of Blackmar-Diemer deferred.
An old thread on the chesspub site
https://www.chesspub.com/cgi-bin/chess/ ... 1070314343
Gunderam is mentioned as analysing it in one of the chesspub posts which dates it some way back in time.
The line 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 is respectable, being played by top GMs from time to time.
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Re: Paleface Attack
As 1.d4 Nf6 is usually designated an Indian system, as it was first played in India, I would guess someone had been watching an old western movie, where the "Indians" (before they were called "Native Americans") referred to their opposition as "Paleface". So maybe someone thought it would be funny to name an anti-Indian attack as "Paleface"? I wonder if the term were ever used in real life. Probably not, as they would not have been speaking English.
Looking at https://www.cleanchess.com/a45-a50-indian.html
the first item is the Basque Opening. Sorry to derail the thread, but is that a reference to Spain or fancy nightwear?
Looking at https://www.cleanchess.com/a45-a50-indian.html
the first item is the Basque Opening. Sorry to derail the thread, but is that a reference to Spain or fancy nightwear?
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Re: Paleface Attack
Looking up the history of the position at move 2, Tartakower reached it in 1954, but transposed it to a Diemer. ARB Thomas gave it a try against PH Clarke in the 1962 British and that headed off in its own direction.Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:05 pmSo maybe someone thought it would be funny to name an anti-Indian attack as "Paleface"?
In British chess, Neil Graham (!) has played it a lot.
Google tells me there was a 1948 film titled "The Paleface".
I suppose it could have been Eric Schiller who named it, but I didn't find any confirmation other than him writing about it as a BDG move order idea.
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Re: Paleface Attack
This opening seems a very late addition as a separate named entity. I was wondering if Kevin's explanation was correct which was one of the reasons I asked if anyone could throw any light on it's origins. As regards "The Paleface" movie - my recollection without looking it up is that it's star was Bob Hope. As someone who occasionally plays this system, as noted by Roger, you need plenty of hope.
Finally regarding the Basque opening, I recall that several citizens from North Spain got stuck in a revolving door when leaving a large store in Bilbao which just goes to show that you shouldn't put all your Basques in one exit.
Finally regarding the Basque opening, I recall that several citizens from North Spain got stuck in a revolving door when leaving a large store in Bilbao which just goes to show that you shouldn't put all your Basques in one exit.
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Re: Paleface Attack
"Finally regarding the Basque opening, I recall that several citizens from North Spain got stuck in a revolving door when leaving a large store in Bilbao which just goes to show that you shouldn't put all your Basques in one exit."
Brilliant!
I recall watching the Bob Hope film years ago. One internet dictionary says that "paleface" was attributed to "Indians" about 1815-1825, but it seemed to be used by "palefaces" not "Indians", so probably some writer thought it sounded dramatic.
Brilliant!
I recall watching the Bob Hope film years ago. One internet dictionary says that "paleface" was attributed to "Indians" about 1815-1825, but it seemed to be used by "palefaces" not "Indians", so probably some writer thought it sounded dramatic.
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Re: Paleface Attack
Schiller in UCO, page 202 discusses the Gedult Attack viz :
1.d4 Sf6 2. f3 d5 3. g4 claiming it looks like a Gibbins - Wiedehagen Gambit.
1.d4 Sf6 2. f3 d5 3. g4 claiming it looks like a Gibbins - Wiedehagen Gambit.
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Re: Paleface Attack
The Gibbins-Wiedenhagen Gambit is 1. d4 Nf6 2. g4John Upham wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:42 pmSchiller in UCO, page 202 discusses the Gedult Attack viz :
1.d4 Sf6 2. f3 d5 3. g4 claiming it looks like a Gibbins - Wiedehagen Gambit.
Is the above spelling yours or another Eric Schiller misprint?
Vachier Lagrave played it in a blitz against Yi Wei last year so I presume it's sound!
Other players who espouse this gambit include Simon Williams and Humphrey Bogart.
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Re: Paleface Attack
I was using ESs spelling which I neglected to confirm.Neil Graham wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:02 pmThe Gibbins-Wiedenhagen Gambit is 1. d4 Nf6 2. g4John Upham wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:42 pmSchiller in UCO, page 202 discusses the Gedult Attack viz :
1.d4 Sf6 2. f3 d5 3. g4 claiming it looks like a Gibbins - Wiedehagen Gambit.
Is the above spelling yours or another Eric Schiller misprint?
Vachier Lagrave played it in a blitz against Yi Wei last year so I presume it's sound!
Other players who espouse this gambit include Simon Williams and Humphrey Bogart.
British Chess News : britishchessnews.com
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Twitter: @BritishChess
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Re: Paleface Attack
I might be mistaken, but I believe it was James Fenimore Cooper (Last Of The Mohicans, etc) who invented the term, or at any rate popularised it, along with other cliched phrases ("white man speak with forked tongue", and so on).Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 9:36 pmOne internet dictionary says that "paleface" was attributed to "Indians" about 1815-1825, but it seemed to be used by "palefaces" not "Indians", so probably some writer thought it sounded dramatic.
"The chess-board is the world ..... the player on the other side is hidden from us ..... he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
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Re: Paleface Attack
"I might be mistaken, but I believe it was James Fenimore Cooper (Last Of The Mohicans, etc) who invented the term, or at any rate popularised it, along with other cliched phrases ("white man speak with forked tongue", and so on)."
Published in 1826, so quite possible.
Published in 1826, so quite possible.
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Re: Paleface Attack
Last Of The Mohicans. "I agree
India pale ale (IPA) Attack was popular in the 1980s. befo re during after a game.
India pale ale (IPA) Attack was popular in the 1980s. befo re during after a game.
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Re: Paleface Attack
Could I thank everyone for their contributions so far. As Indian defences were named after India it's rather confusing that the so-called Paleface Attack is supposedly an antidote to the Red Indians of America. So to date a patchy response.
I note that recently Donald Trump said he'd wear a mask "like the Lone Ranger" - those of us who remember the Lone Ranger might find that amusing.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding through the desert when the thunder of hooves could be heard behind them.
The Lone Ranger turned and saw 100 Indians on horses pursuing them. He spoke to Tonto "We're being chased by 100 Sioux," to which Tonto replied "Yes, Kemosabe". Turning he saw more Indians "And on our left, 100 Comanches" to which Tonto replied "Yes, Kemosabe"
"And to our right, 100 Pawnee" "Yes Kemosabe" and finally "This canyon finishes in a dead end" to which Tonto replied "What you say, Paleface?"
I note that recently Donald Trump said he'd wear a mask "like the Lone Ranger" - those of us who remember the Lone Ranger might find that amusing.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding through the desert when the thunder of hooves could be heard behind them.
The Lone Ranger turned and saw 100 Indians on horses pursuing them. He spoke to Tonto "We're being chased by 100 Sioux," to which Tonto replied "Yes, Kemosabe". Turning he saw more Indians "And on our left, 100 Comanches" to which Tonto replied "Yes, Kemosabe"
"And to our right, 100 Pawnee" "Yes Kemosabe" and finally "This canyon finishes in a dead end" to which Tonto replied "What you say, Paleface?"
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Re: Paleface Attack
Thank goodness for that - I thought for a moment the joke was going to be racistNeil Graham wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2020 2:03 pmCould I thank everyone for their contributions so far. As Indian defences were named after India it's rather confusing that the so-called Paleface Attack is supposedly an antidote to the Red Indians of America. So to date a patchy response.
I note that recently Donald Trump said he'd wear a mask "like the Lone Ranger" - those of us who remember the Lone Ranger might find that amusing.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding through the desert when the thunder of hooves could be heard behind them.
The Lone Ranger turned and saw 100 Indians on horses pursuing them. He spoke to Tonto "We're being chased by 100 Sioux," to which Tonto replied "Yes, Kemosabe". Turning he saw more Indians "And on our left, 100 Comanches" to which Tonto replied "Yes, Kemosabe"
"And to our right, 100 Pawnee" "Yes Kemosabe" and finally "This canyon finishes in a dead end" to which Tonto replied "What you say, Paleface?"
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Re: Paleface Attack
Taumata-whaka-tangi-hanga-kuayuwo-tamate-aturi-pukaku-piki-maunga-horonuku-pokaiawhen-uaka-tana-tahu-mataku-atanganu-akawa-miki-tora
Quantum Jump song withh a Tonto / Lone Ranger joke
Quantum Jump song withh a Tonto / Lone Ranger joke