While enjoying to learn new things about the Tarrasch, what are the newest developments in the English Defence? I recently discovered it and played some games on the Internet; they were great fun, I even intend to take it up as a surprise weapon (main weapon still being Chigorin)...

No, it can't be 7.c5, but mentioned that since I thought it still could be of interest. The 7.a3 games went 7...c5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.dxc5 Nxc5. Isolani.

castlerock:

#61: "The New Trend 6...Nbd7" (Focusing on 7.c5)
#68: "The Trend is continuing..." (7.a3! and 7.h3)
#70: "The Trend is continuing... (Part II)" (7.Qc2 and 7.Rc1)

Introductions written by Zoran Ilic. He thinks that 7.a3 is the best. Main games: Zviagintsev-Lputian, Poikovsky 2003 and Ponomariov-Vallejo, Leon 2003. (Pono played two games as white against Vallejo in Leon 2003. He tried 7.c5 and 7.a3 and won both.)

Alias,

As I acknowledged earlier, I made a mistake in calling the game a Tarrasch.  I arrived late at the game and some IM (who shall remain nameless) had said it was a Tarrasch so I unquestioningly believed him.  That isn't an excuse for my error, just an explanation.  I've heard the Bf4 QGD called the Blackburne too. But I looked up the line with ...c5 and it's apparently known as the Harrwitz as I pointed out in my correction.

Regardless of its name, it is certainly a topical line and Topalov's handling of it makes the line very dangerous.   I've played this line as Black against a FM and managed to draw.  However, I was completely outclassed in the opening and only managed to escape from an inferior position after my opponent relaxed a bit too much as the endgame approached.

The Bf4 line is the most common line nowadays in the QGD. At least it seems so looking at top level games. The most common idea for black is to play early c5. Still, it's not a Tarrasch.

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@ Smyslov

The Semi Tarrasch is different and the QG declined (other lines) proper even more.  Just how different they are is something you dont seem to understand.  And it seems you have not played/know both of them (semi and Tarrasch proper) as black at a decent competent level.

Those of us who have played them know there is much more activity for Black in the Tarrasch proper.  Another point.  White also has Bf4, e2-e3 set-ups in the Tarrasch proper.  Third, the move order used by Morozevich does not favor black if he is looking to set up like the Tarrasch proper.  It only helps him to try to achieve set ups in the QG declined or Semi if that's what he wants.
I can show you specifically what I mean, but you come across as a person who knows what your talking about (at least you try) in the Tarrasch.  But if you are humble enough to ask what I mean, I will be glad to show you AND put all this behind and extend a hand of friendship.

I mean, as it now, it all looked like a poor attempt to save face after I pointed out you were wrong about saying what you said of Topalov and the Tarrasch.

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I hope you're wrong Castlerock,

But when personal attacks hit a thread, they tend to blow up.  Maybe this one can be saved by thoughtful contributions from such reliable writers as Alumbrado and yourself.

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I am not sure anybody will get anything out of this thread anymore. If I were MNb, I would PM you.