The game of chess is filled with creative strategies, unexpected tactics, and an endless variety of opening moves, one of the most unconventional among these being the Monkey’s Bum.
This offbeat chess opening, a variation of the Modern Defense, is as intriguing as its name suggests.
This article will delve into the Monkey’s Bum, discussing its move order, theory, strategy, variations, history, and usability for beginner and intermediate players, and its frequency of play at the Grandmaster level.
Move Order of Monkey’s Bum
The Monkey’s Bum, although loosely defined as any approach against the Modern Defense involving an early Bc4 and Qf3 threatening “Scholar’s mate”, strictly adheres to a specific sequence of moves:
- e4 g6
- Bc4 Bg7
- Qf3 e6
- d4 Bxd4
- Ne2 Bg7
- Nbc3
It’s an assertive gambit, setting up a rapid assault on the f7 square.
Theory, Strategy, and Purpose of Monkey’s Bum
At the heart of the Monkey’s Bum is an audacious attempt to checkmate the opponent’s king early in the game, specifically targeting the f7 square.
The overall strategy entails the early development of the bishop and queen to control the center of the board, while setting up the potential for an early checkmate.
The main purpose, like most chess openings, is to achieve a superior board position, develop pieces efficiently, and make inroads into the opponent’s defenses.
Variations of Monkey’s Bum
A more refined and respected variation of this approach is the Monkey’s Bum Deferred.
In this, White develops their queen’s knight before playing Bc4 and Qf3.
A typical sequence of the Monkey’s Bum Deferred is:
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.Bc4 d6 5.Qf3
This approach is viewed as a safer, more positional style compared to the original Monkey’s Bum.
Evaluation of Monkey’s Bum
Monkey’s Bum is generally evaluated at around -1.30 to -1.50 for white.
Theory & Continuation Lines of Monkey’s Bum
Below we have some common theory and continuation lines from the Monkey’s Bum that you would see at the highest level of play after the move order:
- e4 g6
- Bc4 Bg7
- Qf3 e6
- d4 Bxd4
- Ne2 Bg7
- Nbc3
6… Nc6 7. Qg3 Nf6 8. Bb3 d6 9. h4 h6 10. f3 Bd7 11. Be3 Na5 12. h5 Nxh5 13. Rxh5 Bxc3+ 14. Nxc3 gxh5 15. Qg7 Rf8 16. O-O-O Qe7 17. Bxh6 Nxb3+ 18. axb3 O-O-O
6… Nc6 7. Qg3 Nf6 8. h4 d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. Bb3 d4 11. Nb5 O-O 12. Bg5 Ne4 13. Qf4 Nxg5 14. hxg5 Ne5 15. O-O-O c5 16. Nbc3 Ng4 17. Ne4 Be5 18. Qf3 Qc7 19. Bd5
6… Nc6 7. Bb3 d6 8. h4 Bd7 9. h5 Qf6 10. Qg3 h6 11. hxg6 fxg6 12. Be3 O-O-O 13. O-O-O Kb8 14. a3 Nge7 15. Kb1 a6 16. f4 Qf7 17. Qh3 h5 18. Rhf1 Rdf8
6… Nc6 7. Bb3 d6 8. h4 Bd7 9. h5 Qf6 10. Qg3 h6 11. hxg6 fxg6 12. Be3 O-O-O 13. O-O-O Kb8 14. Kb1 Nge7 15. a3 a6 16. f3 Qf7 17. f4 Bf6 18. Qf2 Rdf8 19. Rhf1 Qg7
6… Nc6 7. Bb3 d6 8. h4 Bd7 9. h5 Qf6 10. Qg3 h6 11. Be3 O-O-O 12. hxg6 fxg6 13. O-O-O Nge7 14. a3 Kb8 15. Kb1 a6 16. Rhf1 h5 17. f4 Rhf8 18. Nd4 Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Qf7
6… Nc6 7. Bb3 d6 8. h4 h6 9. Be3 Bd7 10. a3 Qe7 11. O-O-O O-O-O 12. Kb1 Kb8 13. g4 Qf8 14. Qg3 h5 15. g5 Nge7 16. f4 f5 17. gxf6 Bxf6 18. Nb5 e5 19. fxe5
History of Monkey’s Bum
The Monkey’s Bum was discovered and championed by International Master (IM) Nigel Povah during the 1970s.
At the time, the Modern Defence was gaining popularity, and Povah sought a response to this opening.
After observing the game Ljubojević–Keene, Palma de Mallorca 1971, Povah was intrigued by Ljubojević’s early Bc4 and decided to investigate a rapid assault on f7 with Qf3.
Upon presenting this strategy to his friend Ken Coates, the name Monkey’s Bum was humorously conceived and later cemented into chess terminology.
Whether Monkey’s Bum Is Good for Beginners or Intermediates
While the Monkey’s Bum might appear attractive to beginners due to its aggressive nature and the potential for quick victories, it requires a firm grasp of chess principles to execute effectively.
For intermediate players, the Monkey’s Bum offers a less common and thus potentially surprising approach against opponents familiar with the Modern Defense.
However, beginners and intermediates alike should be cautious, as a misplaced move can quickly turn the tables in favor of the opponent.
How Often Monkey’s Bum Is Played at the Grandmaster Level
While the Monkey’s Bum proper is not frequently seen at the Grandmaster level, its more respected cousin, the Monkey’s Bum Deferred, has been employed by notable Grandmasters like John Nunn, Sergei Rublevsky, and Judit Polgár.
It is distinct in that the attempt to create the “Scholar’s mate” threat with Bc4 and Qf3 only occurs after White has developed their queen’s knight.
FAQs – Monkey’s Bum (Chess)
1. What is the Monkey’s Bum in chess?
The Monkey’s Bum is a chess opening, specifically a variation of the Modern Defense. This unconventional strategy is defined by the following sequence of moves:
- e4 g6
- Bc4 Bg7
- Qf3 e6
- d4 Bxd4
- Ne2 Bg7
- Nbc3
It’s notable for its early aggression with an attempt to create a “Scholar’s mate” threat using Bc4 and Qf3.
2. Who discovered the Monkey’s Bum?
The Monkey’s Bum was discovered and championed by International Master (IM) Nigel Povah in the 1970s.
After a game between Ljubojević and Keene sparked his interest in the early development of Bc4, Povah began to investigate the aggressive assault on f7 with Qf3, eventually leading to the creation of this distinct opening strategy.
3. Why is it called the “Monkey’s Bum”?
The peculiar name of this chess opening comes from a humorous remark made by Ken Coates, a friend of Nigel Povah.
When Povah showed Coates the first few moves of what would become the Monkey’s Bum, Coates jokingly declared, “If that works then I’m a monkey’s bum!”
The name, despite its unusual nature, stuck and was eventually published in the British Chess Magazine.
4. What is the Monkey’s Bum Deferred?
The Monkey’s Bum Deferred is a more respected variation of the Modern Defense.
In this variation, White develops their queen’s knight before attempting to create the “Scholar’s mate” threat with Bc4 and Qf3.
It’s been employed by such notable grandmasters as John Nunn, Sergei Rublevsky, and Judit Polgár. A typical sequence is:
- e4 g6
- d4 Bg7
- Nc3 c6
- Bc4 d6
- Qf3
White usually castles kingside and undertakes an attack by means of the pawn thrust f2–f4.
5. How successful is the Monkey’s Bum as a chess opening?
Nigel Povah, the creator of the Monkey’s Bum, stated that he had never lost with this variation.
However, it’s important to note that he also said this approach was still “in its infancy”.
The success of this opening may vary greatly depending on the skill level and style of the players.
It is less conventional and not as broadly respected as other approaches like the Monkey’s Bum Deferred, but it could serve as a surprise weapon in certain situations.
6. What are the key advantages and drawbacks of the Monkey’s Bum?
The Monkey’s Bum, with its early Bc4 and Qf3, can create unexpected pressure and open up aggressive lines for white.
This can often lead to exciting and sharp games, potentially catching the opponent off-guard.
On the flip side, this strategy may also expose White’s queen to early attacks and necessitate careful piece coordination to prevent unnecessary losses.
7. Are there any notable games played using the Monkey’s Bum?
While the Monkey’s Bum has not been frequently featured in top-level chess, its story began with a game between Ljubojević and Keene that ended in a draw.
The match piqued the interest of Nigel Povah and led to the inception of the Monkey’s Bum.
As the opening continues to develop and evolve, it may find more usage in various levels of play.
Conclusion
Chess is a game of strategy, innovation, and sometimes, delightful eccentricity.
The Monkey’s Bum, an unorthodox variation of the Modern Defense, is a testament to this richness of chess.
While it might not be the first choice for a cautious player, it stands as an audacious example of the endless possibilities chess offers, regardless of one’s skill level.
From its origins in a humorous conversation to its current status as a novel chess strategy, the Monkey’s Bum stands as an engaging, unconventional strategy worthy of exploration for every chess enthusiast.
