I'm somehow in love with the Keres-Variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Qe2 ([B81]). But that seems to be totally out of fashion? 

Zwischenzugzwang

Ametanoitos wrote on 04/06/11 at 12:14:27:


Interestingly, I discovered this 9...Nc5, 10...g6 line independently a few months back, and have been playing it with success in correspondence (albeit not against particularly strong opposition). I wasn't aware that there was theory on this line, let alone an established pawn sacrifice! Could someone be so kind as to let me know what the "main line" of this is considered to be, and what lines are currently critical? The idea of pressuring the e5 pawn and re-routing the e4 knight to d7 whilst making the Nbd2 look less useful is an appealing one, so it'd be nice to try and patch this up if it requires it!

Also, since my attempted improvement in the Yandemirov has failed, I'm kind of desperate for a line against the RL, so this could rescue me!

Thanks a lot for this Daniel.

Can you please summarise - have your analyses lead to any (major?) changes to my original analyses, or of the evaluations of the critical positions?

I compiled NeverGiveUp and Ametanoitos's analysis of 9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 Bf5!? into a pgn file and quickly updated it a bit.

Edit: Added some analysis of 11. a4 b4!? among other things

Mr Martin, thank you very much for posting here and showing that you respect the opinion of some of your supporters (i believe that i am because i have bought at least 10 products that have your name in them). But without too much details i'd like you to tell us your opinion about the quality of your last products. Do you sincerely believe that the Open Lopez DVD has the same quality as say your Czech Benoni DVD? (which was nice) Or even the Scandinavian or Dutch DVDs?  Do you really believe that your recommendations against the main line Nbd2 can be used by an average club player? Or do you believe that Black is fine in those positions? Would you like from me to provide specific analysis in those positions?

He recommends 2 lines against Nbd2. He plays Nc5 and g6 in his first recommendation. He ommits the quick Nd4 line (a known idea where White sacs the e5 pawn) but even worse his main line there stops in a winning position for White! In his second suggestion (a modern Nxb3 line) He says nothing about the critical plan with a quick Re1 for White when he stops the main idea ...f6 of Black. Then Black should play "a la Short" with ...a5 but this plan is not even mentioned by Martin! Black is again slightly worse there, but following Martin's recommendations you are not going to get just a "+/=" but probably a "+/-".

Also his recommendation against Keres' quick Qe2 line looks supsect to me. OK, Black may have adequate counterplay somehow but again Martin fails to spot the critical continuations!

This man has done some nice things in the past. So, i don't think that he is bad at what he is doing. I mean that he can do something good, but the last products by him are at least awfull! He claims that he doesn't do them for GMs to see but (as i am an experienced coach myself) the way he presents the material and his choices of the lines are even worse for a normal club player. I regret every cent i have spent on his recent DVDs.

Do you want more details?

oh.what lines does he recommend then, against maybe 9 nbd2?i m interested as Iplay the Open Ruy.

I've ordered it anyway ! I'll give me impressions when I receive it.