Dear Quality Chess Reader,
3rd February was the official publication date of Playing 1.e4 e5 β A Classical Repertoire by Nikolaos Ntirlis. This book offers a complete repertoire for Black against 1.e4 based on 1…e5, with the Breyer Variation against the Spanish the backbone of the repertoire. Ntirlisβs previous books have been well received, and we think this is his best work yet. An excerpt can be read here.
Since my last newsletter, we have also published Grandmaster Repertoire – 1.e4 vs The Sicilian II by GM Parimarjan Negi and Grandmaster Repertoire 6A – Beating the Anti-Sicilians by GM Vassilios Kotronias.
Those of you who enjoyed Ntirlisβs earlier work Grandmaster Repertoire 10 β The Tarrasch Defence (co-written with GM Jacob Aagaard in 2011) will be particularly interested in the chess files below. In the pdf Ntirlis updates The Tarrasch Defence to show how the repertoire has stood the test of time. The pgn file gives the games referred to in the pdf.
Regards,
John Shaw
Chief Editor
Quality Chess
For amateurs the biggest problem is the line 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5 4 cd ed 5 Nf3 Nc6 6 dxc5!? as proposed by Kornev.
Because of this line I stopped playing the Tarrasch.
@Phil Collins
As mentioned in the book as well. We popularised that line, which indeed is a bit dull.
@JacobAagaard When can we see the 2016 catalogue?
@Jacob Aagaard
In the pre-comnputer era it was possible to play the line like 5.dxc5 and it was fun to play.
In my opinion it’s now to easy for white to play for two results.
Of course below 2000 ELO all three results are possible even in lines such as dxc5. The Tarrasch book is great and the update welcome.
That being said is the Nimzo book a 2016 project?
@ Thomas: Which opening did you switch to? Not the KID I assume, because of the dreaded exchange variation?
@ RB: It seems QC has a new policy to improve the accuracy of the estimated publication dates: they will from now on publish the schedule after the books have been published.
On Niggemann site you have Nikos’ review:
“Insgesamt ist dies eines der besten BΓΌcher, die ich je in HΓ€nden gehalten habe. Durch die vielen ErklΓ€rungen erscheint dieses Buch sehr angenehm leicht und der Schreibstil des Autoren weiΓ ebenfalls zu unterhalten.
IM Dirk Schuh
Februar 2016”
@Ray: I don’t see the KID-Exchange as a big problem, there’s enough play left.
But as I fail to understand most of the Kingsindian my main opening to 1.d4 is the Nimzoindian/Modern Benoni. By the way, Petrovs book is excellent.
Unfortunately there’s not much on the Semi-Tarrasch besides Pinters two volumes. Might be a good opening. Maybe someday I switch to the Cambridge-Springs or Orthodox or something like that.
Quality Chess has covered all mains openings against 1.d4. GrΓΌnfeld, King’s Indian, Slav and Semi-slav. But what about the Nimzo-Indian ? Il would be great to have a repertoire on this essential classical opening…
@ Thomas: I agree Petrov’s book is excellent. I also play the Modern Benoni, but not the Nimzo-Indian. The Semi-Tarrasch and QGD are too passive for my taste.
@ Thomas: PS: how often did you encounter 6.dxc5 in your Tarrasch games? E.g. in the French I rarely encounter the Exchange Variation. I.m.o. white has nothing in the 6.dxc5 variation, the only problem for black is that it’s difficult to win. But I would expect that ambitious white players wouldn’t play 6.dxc5, or am I wrong?
@Ray: I never encountered it in a tournament game – probably people want to win against me π . But still I don’t want to allow it. It’s not the only reason for giving up the Tarrasch. A later dxc5 is also not too much fun for black. Unfortunately White is not forced to play 9. Bg5.
I never had problems with black in the exchange french but I agree I didn’t see it very often in serious games.
Is the Semi-Tarrasch really that passive? I liked Naiditschs win against Kramnik!
@RB
I am working on it β and about 8 books…
@Grant
Yes, Michael Roiz is on the final chapters. This book will now finally definitely happen.
@Jacob Aagaard
? that are a lot of books….. I’ am looking forward to them…βΊ
Yeah! A Nimzo book!!!
You will have in me a customer, even if I do not know if I’ll be able to study the material. I’ve always got the feeling that the nimzo is something you need deep positional understanding to play well, so I always wanted to play that defense in order to gain such a knowledge.
Thanks for bringing that to our attention.
“Overall, this is one of the best books I’ve ever held in my hands.”
Sounds like a promising review.
> βOverall, this is one of the best books Iβve ever held in my hands.β
as ‘Shuh’ means ‘shoe’ in german, i would take this review with a pinch of salt.
@Cowe
π
I just have a feeling to say this publically. I am a John Shaw fan and really looking forward to seeing Playing 1.e4 in print. Especially after what he found today!
@Jacob Aagaard
That is not nice!:@
We are all John Shaw Fans….so you don’t have to make us even more suffer… But you can make up for it : Just give us little new informations about the book….;-)
@Wolfsblut
John found a novelty over a corr. game that seems to kill an entire book… What more can I say? Only that this is the final line in the book done. And he did it in his lunch break. What a monster!
Jacob, do meant that John found a refutation of the line he was going to recommened and now he has to go back to the drawing board..?
Hello guys. Yes, 6.dxc5 is a boring line, but latest evidence show that Black has easy equality here. I didn’t want to put that line as well in the newsletter so not to make it very big and unreadable.
By the way, one friend GM emailed me after reading the newsletter that “if i have to play this 9.dxc5 against the Tarrasch to get an edge, i’d rather play 1.e4 and fight for more against the Najdorf!”
@Jacob Aagaard
The supense is killing me… Very much looking forward to 8 QC new books! Shaw 1+2, Avrukh 1B, Razuvaev, Mikhalevski, Kotronias on the KID volume 4, Negi Scilian volume 3 – and what’s number 8? Maybe Gelfand+Aagaard volume 2?
O no, I forgot Roiz, so at least one of my guesses is wrong π
@Nikos Ntirlis
Thanks! I guess basically your initial analysis on 6.dxc5 still holds?
John didn’t find a refutation of Nikos’ book, did he? Like 1. d4 ? π
@Anssi Manninen
Killed a recent book by a competitor. I was helping and after a few days I found nothing. He came up with the solution in his lunch break…
@Ray
I am happy to say which 8 books I am working on. Gelfand 2 is a major book of course, it is also the main thing on my mind right now. Smirin’s book. Helping Tiger a little bit, just conversations really. Yusupov’s new book, which is basically ready for publication, just needs a check and a bit of indexing. 2x John, KID 4 and one of my own books.
@JacobAagaard But when can we expect a new catalogue and a new pub. schedule? Next week or in two weeks? We are all very excited, and didn’t see a schedule since November…
@Jacob Aagaard
@Jacob Aagaard
Is this in the Caro kann variation for white?
@Tobias. HAH HAH! π
@Jacob Aagaard
Was the refutation found while working on the Caro kann?
@Ed
No
I hope and pray it’s not my book. π
Ilya Smirin?? Tell us more!
Tiger is working on a new book? I’m a dedicated fan of his – please tell us more π
And what about Axel Smith’s new book?
@Ed
I reckon it’s in the Scandinavian!
I think you would probably be right.
If so I think I know which book too,
although I think it is a good book,
but this would only be speculation.
Are there any plans for GM repertoire 6b?
The 6.Bg5, Nbd7 chapter really needs to be updated.
I did not like Ftacnics recommendation in the 6.Bg5, e6 7.f4, h6 line.
In the most critical variation white has an extra pawn in the endgame
with good winning chances. This is suffering for black.
I’m betting John refuted a line in the Scotch from Lokander or Bologan’s book.
@ Jacob Aagaard: Thanks, that’s some exciting news! Looking forward to hearing more about the books of Smirin and Tiger (maybe a book on the Reti?!), as well as your own book (Thinking inside the Box? – or do you have another project going?)
Maybe John refuted the Caro-Kann during his lunch break.
@Ray
Maybe in the Scotch, maybe in the Qd6 Scandinavian.
Tigers books are always interesting. This is exciting!
@Thomas
I will tell more about Smirin’s book when I have a cover
@Nico
Tiger has not even been able to clarify to himself what the book is about, but a lot has been written already. This is really happening, after 10 years of pushing.
@Bebbe
For various reasons, they have been pushed to the autumn.
Next survey:
Which opening did John find a refutation for a line:
A Scotch
B Scandinavian
C Sicilian
D French
E Caro Kann
F Pirc/modern
G Alekhine
H other
I can’t decide between A or B at the moment.
@Ray
Yes, I am working on and off on Box, but also on about 10 other books of my own. I still collect exercises all the time, especially because Boris and Sam keep demanding new material.
A curious thing. I was crushed completely in the 4NCL by a young talented English junior of Chinese heritage, who after the game told me that all the top Chinese players use my training books, even the ones that speak no word of English. I don’t really get upset losing anymore, but in this case I was actually standing up from the board in absolute joy!
@ Jacob Aagaard
Wow, that’s a lot of books in the pipeline! I guess it’s always nice for a master if his pupil defeats him π
My guess is that Smirin will write a book about the Sicilan Kan.
Tigers book will be something original and not about openings.
What happened with Marins new project?
Kotronias on the SΓ€misch Kingsindian is also something to look forward to.
6.-e5 which he usually plays seems to be in some kind of crisis lately.
6.Bg5 in the Najdorf is giving me a headache.
Want to avoid forced draws.
How is 6.-e6 7.f4, Qc7 holding up these days?
I consider meeting 8.Bxf6, gxf6 9.Qd2 with the dynamic 9.-b5.
What about 9.Be2? Can black play 9.-b5 here too or is the less
dynamic 9.-Nc6 mandatory? Maybe 10.Bh5 is a problem.
Maybe black can play 9.Be2, h5!?.
On 10.Bxh5 follows 10.-Qb6 with threats Rxh5 and Qxb2.
On 11.Nb3 follows 11.-Qe3+.
This mother of all teasings may buy you another year of waiting, but I wish John would have found a keyboard instead π
Putting jokes aside, do you think a subscription model (sort of kickstarter) can be interesting for launching some books, hire writers etc ? this is quite different from classic editor job waiting for authors to come with a book, and you shouldn’t get uberized as the editing part in your books is very consistent and valuable.
@Ed;
If I was a betting man my money would be on a bust in Smerdon’s Scandinavian.
@ Bebbe
That’s funny – Negi is going out of his way to avoid forced draws for white in the 6.Bg5 Najdorf. As long as both sides want to avoid a forced draw, I guess there is no problem π . I think generally the type of player who plays the Najdorf as black or the 6.Bg5 variation as white are both bloodthirsty and not looking for a forced draw.
By the way, I like the delayed Poisoned Pawn. You then avoid the forced draws in the f5-variation, and against the line with e5 I like Andriasyan’s recommendation with …Nd5!? There doesn’t seem to be an easy forced draw for white there, but i.m.o. it’s a draw all the same. Maybe you should play a less forcing opening (e.g. the Modern Tiger) if you don’t like forced draws. If you play a really forcing opening such as the Najdorf, in most lines it will turn out that either it’s a (forced) draw or it’s winning for white or black.
@Bebbe
Marin is an experienced author that does not need his hand held…
@Andreβ
No, not that one. Smerdon’s book is quite good actually; he takes a line that is entirely s*** and almost makes it playable. But of course, take the money and run works against gambits from time to time. But there is always counterplay.
Ray,
I have played people who plays 6.Bg5 to draw.
Where is the forced draw after 7.-Qc7?
I want to keep the Najdorf in my repertoire.
It keeps you young and test the tactical ability and your memory.
This is good to avoid Alzheimer.
@Bebbe
Don’t eat sugar if you want to avoid dementia. Glucose intolerance in the brain is a big contributor.
Jacob,
Thanks for the advice. I did not know that you are a dietist.
Is the Najdorf good too?
@Bebbe
Absolutely!
@Bebbe
I don’t know if there is a forced draw after 7…Qc7, but I don’t like it. I guess you have studied Negi’s book?
@Bebbe
I think you can also know that you should not step in front of a running train without being a train driver π
Ray,
No I have not, but I will purchase it soon to make up my mind on what to choose.
I guess it will be rather difficult to decide.
@Jacob Aagaard
Sam Shankland?
@ Bebbe
You should definitely buy Negi’s book on the Najdorf; no serious Najdorf player can do without it i.m.o. Then it’s simply a matter of choosing which of the critical Negi lines you like best from the black point of view.
@Jacob Aagaard
But sugar intake and glucose intolerance is not directly linked. A very complex subject like chess. Read some of Jacob Guardiol’s articles on the matter. Btw, the brain needs glucose to function well.
(Maybe you mean food with lots of refined sugar)?
Sorry, more correctly, blog posts, not actual articles.
@ The Doctor
I Think it’s The Scandanavian also. I have been discussing the merits of the mainline offered in the newest repertoire Book on the Scandi on another website, and what was apparent to me is that the line seems to be hanging by a thread.
Curiously Tiviakov himself did a video in Chessbase Magazine # 167 concluding that the Scandi with 3…Qd6 was no longer playable.
Food for thought.
@Ray
I would be surprised if it was a lot be i the Scotch.
But you never know?
A line in the Scotch….damn predictive texts ?
@The Doctor
Maybe you’re right – it could also be Kotronias’s recent book ‘The safest Scandinavian’..
@ Jonas, any glucose brain needs can be made from non-carbohydrate molecules (amino acids, etc).
@Ray
Yeah I was thinking that or the Smeardon book. But Jacob squad it’s not the Smeardon one?
@Anssi Manninen
Gluconeogenesis ?
@Ray I was thinking of S. Kasparov on the same matter.
@Thomas
Well, the Scandinavian seems like a safe bet then π
I think the Scandinavian is a candidate. But in that case it could be refutation of two books, right (Kotronias’ and Kasparov’s)?
@Anssi Manninen
Yes, I know. I spent 6 years for a Ph D basically on glycosylation of proteins. Bacteria can also make gold:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupriavidus_metallidurans
I doubt they recommend the same lines
Whilst I hope I’m proved wrong in the very near future, we have been waiting for John’s books for so long that the question remains will this novelty ever see the light of day anyway….in the meantime I don’t think Quality Chess should be making comments suggesting the refutation of lines in other publishers works without being more explicit especially when it can, as it has done here, create speculation around a book from an author that also writes for Quality Chess….
Jacob would be the first to jump and down if someone passed such comment about a future book from Quality Chess!
Great books are to be expected from QC soon. Is there perhaps any forecast when the last Karolyi volume (part 3 on Tal’s games) will become availabel?
Maybe Tarrasch defence would stay popular had Kasparov not abandoned it at a point in his career.I think it is a bit interesting but there are not many top players who play it.
@Jonas
http://www.uctv.tv/skinny-on-obesity/ β This is where I have this from. When I say sugar, I mean this not as a Doctor talking at a conference (I am neither), but as a lay person talking normal language, where sugar simply means free sugars.
Fruit is known to be good for you and is full of sugar, but it is all bound up in fibre. I am sure we will agree entirely on this?!
@Michael
The book is written. This was the end. And no, I do not think anyone should lecture on how we are allowed to speak in our own house about ourselves; but I guess I am just misreading you.
@Jonas
Bloody hell 6 yrs!! How the heck did you get the funding
Mine took just 3!
Well, I guess my supervisor after 4 years didn’t feel like not letting me graduate after spending a fortune on me :–D
@Jacob Aagaard
You should be PROUD Jacob! If your opponents kills you at the board… with the best weapon available at the whole Universe… it must be Quality Chess (weapon). It must be really funny to be crushed by the ideas your are working hard with your colleagues (and published these as GM’s rep books).
BTW. I will not be very surprised if after the next World Championship – the challenger says: “Yes, I won the title due to using Quality Chess books, ideas and books – you cannot ask for better quality and creativity source” π
I am just looking at the new Ntirlis book, and am very impressed at the research he did. I am only as far as the Vienna section, but I thought the Modern Vienna Chess Stars book was sort of a hidden treasure, and Ntirlis quotes it and the Lokander book. Again that is a very high standard of research.
@Jacob Aagaard Very happy to hear about the Nimzo book. Will there be a companion volume offering someone against 3.Nf3 and the Catalan?
Also regarding the refutation of a competitor author’s book, is it the Flexible Sicilian by ChessStars?
Maybe it is in the Alekhine and the book refered to is the shveshnikov’s book?
@John Johnson
I fully agree – it’s a great repertoire with splendid explanations! Only the Breyer is not really to my taste, so I play the Open Spanish instead, using Mikhalevski’s repertoire..
By the way, @ Nikos: Am I wrong, or is the Scotch Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bc4) missing from your book? I can’t find it in the index, but maybe I’m looking wrong? If it’s missing, I think it should have been added.
@Ray
The line you give is not the “Scotch Gambit”, but a weird, rare (and very bad?) gambit. The real Scotch Gambit π comes after 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 and this is covered in the 2Knights section, a transposition i am sure it is mentioned in the text.
@Ray I never saw that line with 4. Sxd4 and 5. Bc4. Looks strange.
@Nikos Ntirlis
Sorry, you’re right of course. I guess it’s too early in the morning to make smart comments π Thanks for your quick reaction though!
@James
Is it possible to answer the Catalan with the Tarrasch? For example something along the lines of:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Nf3 c5
To me it looks like a Tarrasch where Black for some reason has rushed to play Nf6 but it does not seems to matter much as White has committed to a g3 scheme already.
The QI move order is more troublesome for me, as a transposition to a Tarrasch is not possible:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5
and now White has 4.Bg5 and I don’t know if we can transpose to lines covered in the nimzo by playing 4…Bb4 or we have to settle for a classic QGD line.
James,
You can play the Benoni against both 3.Nf3 and 3.g3.
Then you have Petrovs excellent book.
If you want something more solid the Bogoindian can
be played against both 3.Nf3 and 3.g3.
Or play 3.-d5 against both. If white plays 3.Nf3, d5 4.Nc3 then play 4.-Bb4.
A fourth repertoire is to play the black knights tango 3.-Nc6 against both 3.Nf3 and 3.g3.
A fifth is to play the Queens indian against 3.Nf3 combined with any of the alternatives mentioned against 3.g3. Or to play the original Budapest-like 3.- e5!? 4.dxe5, Ng4 against 3.g3.
@James
Nothing fixed and obviously not telling.
A sixth option is to play the Blumenfeld gambit 3.Nf3, c5 4.d5, b5 combined with 3.g3, c5 4.d5, exd5 5.cxd5, b5.
@Gollum
Yes, the move order I have used in the past is 4…Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 c5
A seventh choice which I am not recommending to serious players is to play the Snake Benoni against both 3.Nf3 and 3.g3. 3.Nf3, c5 4.d5, exd5 5.cxd5, Bd6 or 3.g3, c5 4.d5, exd5 5.cxd5, Bd6.
“Tired of good positions. Try the offbeat lines!”
Low Quality Chess
@Nikos Ntirlis
Playing 1.e4 e5 looks like a really great book and I will use it as my guideline against 1.e4 in the next future.
A few minor lines I havenΒ΄t found covered, perhaps intentionally:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Be2 heading for a reversed Philidor after 3…Nf6 4.d3
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d3 with similar intentions
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.Nd2 hoping for an improved version of 6.Bd3
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e5 Nh5 5.Qe2 intending to go for g2-g4 later. Probably not good but maybe not so easy to deal with unprepared.
@Jacob Aagaard
“John found a novelty over a corr. game that seems to kill an entire bookβ¦ What more can I say? Only that this is the final line in the book done. And he did it in his lunch break. What a monster!”
This book was not on my to buy list, but after the above teaser, I simply have no choice now. π
Hi Mr. Aagaard,
I know, this is not the right blog for my question, but after successfully reviving the Tarrasch, is it possible to revive the classical Sicilian, too?
Saying that John found a novelty on his lunch break that ” kills an entire book” is for my taste a bit too much. Most well respected authors do not write an entire book based on one or two suspicious moves. While this ” novelty” may bust a line, we have seen this for years and will continue to do so. Such is the nature of finding improvements. Novelties as well often have a one use shelf life and usually are refuted in days or weeks in general as strong responses are sought. I think the author as well if the “killed book” may have a word or two to say, not only in his defense but also as to the nature of possibly finding strong responses to this new novelty. The jury is still out until we can compare material and see what all the fuss is about .
@Steven S.
“Saying that John found a novelty on his lunch break that β kills an entire bookβ is for my taste a bit too much.”
I don’t think that Jacob meant that John found the novelty on his lunch break, but only that he managed to finish the final chapter during it.
Perhaps the 3…Qd6 Scandi isn’t unplayable as Tiviakov himself suggests, but the evidence shows that is rather unpleasant for Black.
The line refuted could also be in the Philidor.
Possible book: ‘A cunning chess opening for black’ by S. Kasparov
It also might be “Die Verteidigung des Damengambits” by Sigbert Tarrasch.
I hope that wasn’t bad taste .
@Thomas
π I’m betting on ‘ Die hypermoderne Schachpartie’ by Tartakower – after all, recently an English translation has been published by NIC, so it fits the description.
‘A Cunning Chess Opening for Black’ by S Kasparov.
The book is about reaching a philidor by pirc move order initially:
So 1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3Nc3 …
Now instead of normal pirc of 3. …. g6
The whole idea of the book is 3 ……e5 to reach a philidor opening,
saying that white will respond with 4. Nf3.
However I believe this move order is refuted by white playing 4. dxe5.
so that 4. ……dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Bb5 Bd6 8 Bxc6 bxc6.
White has superior position.
Please comment I am curious what does everyone think?
Have I missed something Nikos or John?
@Ed
First point.
Well, yes, you are stating that a particular opening is a particular opening. Equally 1 e4 c5 is not the French 1. e4 e6. And cooking my breakfast omelette is not abseiling.
The book about that opening is about that opening. It is, yes.
Second point.
No. It’s a bit more complicated than that. Fortunately. A respectable line is unlikely to be so readily refuted by two moves of simple development. Do you think?
Bologan did a decent ChessBase DVD on this line some while back. Have a look – it’s good, and you’ll learn plenty.
Third point.
Respectfully, it really is better that they focus their time and energies on writing theoretical chess books than answer such asinine questions.
@ Simon B
First point
The philidor is normally arrived by 1.e4 d6 2. Nf3 d6
The book is about arriving at that opening by arriving at a different move order.
As stated above.
Second Point
Thank you for your reference to the bologan DVD.
The title I have found is ‘The Fighting Philidor’.
I did not know it was a respectable line.
I feel humbled by your advice, clearly you are a superior player than I.
Third Point
I take back placing their names in the blog as I agree their time is best spent on theoretical books.
I was trying to create discussion about something I found interesting.
Chess is a game which is great when people discuss and give opinions.
I never said or thought I was right, but was trying to create discussion among fellow bloggers to learn. I could have learnt a lot from you if you have a few moves and ‘very briefly’ explained why I was wrong.
Sorry Philidor is normally reached by
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6
@Ed
Negi in his first book about 1.e4 does advice this exact move order for Black if they want to play the Philidor, and says something along the lines that the line you propose is believed now not to give White an advantage, so he prefers to play Nf3 and Bc4.
Thanks Gollum
@Topnotch
Yeah, it worked!
@gewgaw
Maybe, but we cannot do everything π
@Steven S.
I agree. This claim will hopefully look much better in a six weeks or so when we publish.
@Ed
We not Bd6 before Nc6? Just asking blindfolded.
@Jacob Aagaard
“6 weeks or so when we publish…..”
Does this mean an excerpt is imminent? Presumably you will still publish the 2 vols with a gap between?
@PaulH
Yeah, volume 2 will be coming some later. A lot is written, but much more is needed.
I think we are maybe 2-3 weeks from an excerpt. I hope to publish a new publishing schedule soon, probably next week. We have editorial on Monday, then I will know where we are.
Would you be discussing the new title of GM Thomas Luther chess book? :). I am looking forward what title will be chosen… and who will be immortalized at your book as a “chess title advisor” π
@JacobAagaard: being very curious of Smirin writing a book – as I really enjoy his play – could you just say if it’s a book on openings or something else? This teasing is unbearable π
@Tomasz Chessthinker
Hahaha. I am sure there is still room for a good suggestion!
@Ed re Philidor
Philidor for years now is reached via the 1…d6 move-order because the “normal” move-order is almost busted.
6…Nc6 in your line is very bad. And 6.Nf3 is not even the critical test.
Is it me or does anyone else think it’s a bit odd that 3 of the major publishing houses (QC, New in Chess, Chess Stars), have not written books on the Black side of the Queen’s Gambit Declined. Strange considering you could argue it’s one of Black most popular defences over recent years.
Absolutely agree with The Doctor! John Cox’ “Declining the Queen’s Gambit” (everyman) from 2011 is the latest book from a Black’s viewpoint, and while I like it quite a lot I would be very interested in QC style “bible” on the subject.
@The Doctor
yes indeed doc strange do jacob………..
The Doctor,
ChessBase just published a DVD!
@TD
Thanks, but I don’t do DVD’s really
@The Doctor
Files exist and long term (within a year) we will have a book on this.
@Jacob Aagaard
Betting 200 elopoints this isn’t related to Smirin π
U@Jacob Aagaard
Thanks for the reply ??
@Jacob Aagaard
A book about the QGD? Can you reveal if it will be 3…Nf6 & 4…Be7 or other lines? It would be great to have the classical QGD, as I’ve played it for quite. Another MUST BUY book…
Maybe the Tartakower with the moveorder 3.Nc3, Be7.
Would be really nice to have a good QC book based on the Tartakower variation π
@MR
Yeah, the Smirin book will be with the word Warfare in the title…
“KingΒ΄s Indian Warfare” would be suitable from this author. π
@JacobAagaard Is the schedule going to come this week?
@RB
Yes
YES!
Yes?
@Nikos Ntirlis or @Jacob Aagaard
Very interested in 1.e4 e5 from black point of view.
If I want to play 1…e5 but without big lines in RL (for the moment) what should I play after 3.Bb5 ?
3…Bc5?…Nf6?…Ng-e7?…g6?
@FredPhil
3…a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 is a fun decent line.
@FredPhil
Follow Onischuk on 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5!? could be an idea.
@Nikos Ntirlis or @Jacob Aagaard
I have a question about the following position:
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5
5.Nf3 Nc6 6.e3 Nf6 7.Bb5 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bd7
9.O-O Bd6 10.Nf3 a6
In the book you mention that the position from 9…Bd6 is very typical IQP stuff, no need to analyse. (page 259, 260) Then you recommend one line from a Kasparov – Kramnik game where the game goed 10…a6 and 11.Be2
I’m also watching the DVD from Erwin L’ Ami on the Tarrasch Defense where he says 10…a6 is not a good move because of 11.Bxc6. Where he says that 11…bxc6 is bad because of 12.e4 where white has a strong initiative and black is in trouble. He claims that 11…Bxc6 also isn’t good because white goes b3, black is missing active options and white is very harmonious.
L’ Ami recommends 10…Bg4
Is this overlooked or is the position too ‘ unimportant’ for this? What would you recommend after Bxc6?
At first I thought I could avoid this line by playing 6…c4 but then I discovered line C from chapter 20 can transpose to the line above.