There is a lesser-known digital-only manuscript circulating on forums (Chess.com forums, Reddit’s r/chess, and Telegram groups) called "Cunning: 18 Lessons for the Attacking Player" by an anonymous International Master. The "18" refers to the year of publication (2018) or the edition number. Users searching for "pdf 18" are often looking for version 1.8 (the eighteenth digital update).
Concept: 4/5
The idea is to avoid main-line theoretical battles (like the Open Ruy Lopez or mainline Sicilian) and instead steer the game into offbeat, trappy, or strategically tricky positions where your opponent cannot rely on memorized engine lines. a cunning chess opening repertoire for white pdf 18
Target Audience:
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4
The London System is the ultimate cunning weapon. It is often viewed as "boring" by opponents, which creates complacency. The cunning player uses this perception to build a killing machine. Moves: 1
The core thesis of Povah’s repertoire is that at the amateur and club level, psychology matters more than engine evaluation. While a computer might assess a position as equal, a human might find it terrifying. a cunning chess opening repertoire for white pdf 18
Povah advocates for a repertoire based on viability rather than objective correctness. He selects lines that are theoretically sound but contain hidden venom—moves that invite the opponent to go wrong. The goal is to reach positions that are uncomfortable for Black, even if they aren't strictly "winning" against perfect play.