Jonathan Tait wrote on 06/07/14 at 18:09:15:
barnaby wrote on 06/07/14 at 15:35:37:
And really, there is zero pressure on Black when they eschew the whole thing and play the Modern defense.� Zero. Black has easy path to equality and can even play for a win.
This old chestnut again?!?
As I've said on here before, 3...d5 (or 2...d5 if you prefer that move order) is only good if you like the sort of positions that arise and know what you're doing � which is the same with
any defence to the King's Gambit.
Personally, I have a excellent score as White against the Modern (and have only ever lost once). More pertinently, so did GM Gallagher when he was playing the King's Gambit. Mainly because Black (needlessly) returns the extra pawn and cedes central dominance to White.
Yes, Black has pluses as well � in particular, active development and a potentially dangerous kingside pawn majority (if it's handled correctly) � but anyone who thinks this is a straightforward, easy position for Black to play is just asking for trouble.
If you do well with it, fine, but it's not for everyone. Especially given that you can pretty much choose
any defence against the King's Gambit and play it for the win if you know what you're doing. I usually opt for 3...h5!?.
You miss the larger points so I will make them again:
~ Play in the Modern is significantly different than all the tries with ....g5.� In the g5 lines white always gets a direct attack, even if it is not theoretically potent.� White never gets an attack in the Modern and is instead always defending themselves.� This work on the psychological level because White plays the King Gambit to attack, not defend or play some position endgame where they try to squeeze an opponent.� Hell if that's what they wanted they'd play the QGD, which is better for that type of game for White.
~ The modern does not allow any of the thematic ideas that bleed across all the other variations.� It is easy to play as Black and not easy to play as White.I get that you Kings Gambit people love your opening.� and I bet you gets lots of exciting games with it.
But really, playing that is a last round money game that ones needs to win is quite foolish and makes Black's job a whole lot easier.
The recent Shaw book has not one line that White can equalize comfortably ... not one!� Filled with easy solutions for Black to not only get equality but completely snuff out Whites aggressive tendencies.
So, please, punt that all you want.� I welcome the easy game as Black, which Black gets to decide upon, not White.
If you have no Idea of what you say you better be silent.
Kings gambit is valid and still playable. I still play at higher correspondence level and have won also.
Here is an example of your inaccuracy.