GAMBIT: WHITEBELT

Slap Hands. Fist Bump. Go.

White e4. Black e5. White f4. Black takes White exf4. Bishop to C4.

What was a move to take Jake down, was actually him giving up the top space. He goes on to his back and quickly transitions into a De la Riva Guard. It's a great position to be in. Immediately, I sense the threat. I just know he's setting me up for something. Sweep or Submission.

Don't ask me what's really happening. I do know there's some grip fighting going on.

Though I had the top position, It's by no means an advantageous position if your opponent's bottom game is good. OK.

The Big question for a White-belt;

"What's the Guard pass for this?"

I pray that Jake doesn't notice my bewilderment while I try to figure out what to do.

BJJ Basics, you need to control something. I grab pin his legs and try to slide my knee out. The technical term being the "Knee Cut".

As I did it, it put me good position to go for side control. Black Queen to h4. Check.

King to f1. Jake fights by shifting on his side avoiding the pin and grabbing the under-hook. A small shift in position but big in terms of turning the situation around. Fearing a sweep, I gave up my pursuit of side control and he secured himself into half guard.

Black Pawn to b5. White Bishop takes Black Pawn at b5. Back to Square 1 pretty much.

Slap Hands. Fist Bump. Go.

From the get go, Alex, a Blue Belt, is pretty much leading the dance. If you ever google a dance called "Krump", you either match the energy or you get owned.

That's Alex (white Gi - check out the back of his gi!). Guy at the bottom (not me) but he looks like he's in the same seafood business I was in.

Frame. Shrimp. Bridge. Shrimp. Frame. Shrimp. Framed and Shrimped so much I could be a seafood trader. Bang. Kimura. (his beloved move). Still Time left. Slap Hands. Fist Bump. Go. Take Down. Recover. Shrimp. Sell more Shrimp. Bang. Kimura.

At the end of session, I asked about his set-ups before he attacks;

"Sometimes you Just Smash Bro"

fine advice from a Blue Belt named Alex.

Not all Gambits has to work like Chess.

Note: There is no picture of Alex to present an understanding that strength and conditioning goes hand in hand with strategy. UPDATE!: Alex has kindly shared a photos of him for me to share. The one above and the one below emphasises the need for me to put some time in the gym.

Wrecx and Effex wid da Flex by Krumpin' Komplex named Alex.