Rook endings where the defender is a pawn down yet has drawing chances are often the most instructive. Here are some examples from the recent Mexico City World Championship tournament won by Anand.
Some games are so mundane they almost put us to sleep. Perhaps no opening system can come off as being more pedestrian than certain basic double king-pawn positions, where it almost seems Black is aping White’s development.
When surprised by an irregular opening (or any new move in an opening), first think about ways to refute it. If you are unable to, try steering the game into opening lines you know and play.