Minor update to GM1

When we reprinted GM1 earlier this year, we changed one line, as we did not want to have a bad line in the book. Obviously many more changes could be made, but this is the one we thought was necessary. The update is on page 335-336, and will be on the same pages in the first print.

B2) 8…Ne4

Editors’ note: We have updated this section for the 2nd reprint after careful analysis.

9.g3

9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.d5 was the recommendation in the first print, but this idea suffered a big blow in a number of games and Boris noted it down as the one recommendation from this book that should certainly not be followed. 12…Bd6! 13.g3 c5! The computers like White, but in practice it turns out that the h2-pawn is a huge target and White has difficulties opening up the position for his pieces. The following game is but one example: 14.Qa4 Qe7 15.Bb5 0–0–0! 16.Bd2 Nf6 17.Qxa7 Bb8 18.Qa3 Rxd5 19.Rfc1 Ng4 20.Ba5 Nxh2 21.Rd1 Qe6 22.Rac1 Nf3† 23.Kf1 Rh1† 24.Ke2 Nd4† 25.exd4 Qg4† 26.Kd2 Rxd1† 27.Rxd1 Rxd4† 0–1, Hillarp Persson – Malakhov, Denmark 2009.

9…Nd6!?

This was Shirov’s idea. It is hard to see any other reason to play 8…Ne4. After 9…Be7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Nxe4 (12.f3!?²) 12…dxe4 13.d5 small edge. White has a good version of Boris’s original idea, Schlosser – Marusenko, Pardubice 2009.

10.c5!?N

10.b3 was played in Inarkiev – Shirov, Poikovsky 2008. Black won a beautiful game.

10…Nf5 11.Ng2

11.Nxg6?!  looks dangerous, but White could also try 11.Nxf5 Bxf5 12.f3 with complicated play.

11…Be7!

11…e5?! was recommended by Maxim Notkin in Chess Today, but it is refuted by 12.g4! Nh4 13.f4! and White will end up with a superior structure on both flanks: 13…exd4 (13…h5 is easily repelled by 14.fxe5 Nxg2 15.Kxg2 hxg4 16.Bxg4 Qh4 17.h3 and Black does not have enough compensation) 14.exd4 Nxg2 15.Kxg2 f5 16.Re1! (16.g5 Qc7!? unclear) 16…Be7 17.g5 And White has a space advantage.

12.Nf4!?

We like this idea best, as it is most critical. 12.b4 0–0 13.Nf4 is another idea. Black might try to break in the centre with 13…e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5, but after 15.Bb2 Bf6 16.Qb3² White is probably a bit better.

12…e5

12…0–0 13.h4 small edge, will provoke Black into advancing the h-pawn.

13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.h4 d4!?

This seems to be the most logical move. 14…f6 is a computer idea, which is met with: 15.Qa4! Bf7 (15…b5? is punished by 16.Nxb5! cxb5 17.Bxb5† Kf7 18.Rd1± with a strong attack) 16.e4! dxe4 17.Rd1 Qc8 18.Nxe4 0–0

19.b3 small edge

14…h6 might be the best move. We think White is better after: 15.b4!? d4 (15…a5 16.Bb2!² axb4? 17.Ncxd5+–) 16.Ne4! Nxe3 (16…dxe3? 17.Bb2!±) 17.fxe3 Bxe4 18.Bb2!² White keeps the initiative and control of the centre.

15.exd4 Nxd4 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.Bf4 Bf6 18.Re1 0–0 19.Bxe5! Bxe5 20.Bc4 small edge

White has some interesting attacking ideas on the light squares. After 20…Re8 21.Ne4 White has many threats and ideas with h4-h5 and Qg4 can be dangerous.

One example is: 20…Qc7?! 21.h5! g5 22.Ne4 Qe7 23.Qg4!± Nc2 24.Nxg5 Nxe1 25.Rxe1 Qf6 26.Re3! White has

a winning attack.

7 thoughts on “Minor update to GM1”

  1. hi
    In GM 1 Chapter 17 Line C2 7…Be7 after 11.Bg2 maybe the idea 11…g5 !? is good as given by caruana in his notes to the game Potkin – Caruana,CBM 136 preventing 12.g5 and it seems black is quite solid after the immediate 12.e4 -Qb3 13.ab3-ne4 14.ne4-de4 15.Be4 -nd7 .

    And also in CBM 136 Tibor Karolyi in a article gives 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 e5 -a reliable weapon for Black. though i didnt go through it . i wonder where his analysis overlaps with the avrukh’s .Interesting as he concludes by saying “The 3.e3 e5 line is a reliable weapon for Black.”

    Anyway great work by Avrukh and the amout of hard work he has put in is clearly visible .great work .continue the great job quality chess.

    eagerly looking forward to Gm rep 1.e4 also Gm-7
    hail Quality chess
    Regards

  2. What!??? I gave so much feedback covering many other errors, omissions and likely improvements (dozens)… and you guys waste a reprint by modifying ONLY ONE LINE!? I am extremely disappointed and feel that all the time I used to give feedback and deeply analyze the lines with databases, engine books, engine games, my own practice, etc. was completely wasted. What a bad joke…

  3. Jacob Aagaard

    Al, there is a big difference between a reprint and a 2nd edition.

    We only changed the one line that Boris wanted changed – we did not want to go in and rewrite Boris’ book without his consent, nor do we want to ask Boris to come with more stuff for every reprint.

    One day there will be a 2nd edition, and we are very grateful for your stuff – but this is when we will use it, not now.

  4. splinter22prime

    I have a quick question:
    Had Avrukh the time to do this update himself or was it done by the Editor Team (Aagaard/Shaw/Greet) ?

  5. I just received the hardback copies of the Caro Kann and Soviet Chess Strategy. They are excellently done, inside and outside. I plan to get the last two volumes of Marin’s English opus in hardback as well. Thanks for the great effort and outstanding chess material that you are producing.

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