1. e4   c5 
2. Nf3 e6 
3. d4  cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nc6  
5. Nc3   Qc7  
6. g3 a6 
7. Bg2 d6 
8. O-O Bd7 
9. Re1 Be7 
10. Nxc6 Bxc6 
11. Qg4 h5 
12. Qe2 h4 
13. a4 hxg3 
14. hxg3 Kf8 
15. a5 Rc8 
16. Be3 Nf6
17. Bb6 Qd7 
18. f4 

[/color]This little change is not mentioned in the book in a direct way, in the specific move order.  This being a brand new variation for me to learn as Black I made the following mistake--[color=#006600]

18...   Bd8 ?!

Trying to challenge the bishop on b6 and at the sametime angling for Bc7 to contest white's e5 push, but...

19. Bf2 !  

and my bishop was left looking silly and Black was severely limited in counterplay in addition to space.  After that, I was hurting.

So I tried to analyze how to deal with this other option not dealt with in the Delchev/Semkov book.  I sought for the same idea for white (the plan of f4 and Be3, Rad1) in the book and I found it.  It was to have ...g6 for Black, then ...Kg7, ...Qg8, ...Qh7, and ...e5.  So I came up with the following during my study--

18...       g6 
19. Rad1 Qe8 
20. Bd4   e5 
21. Be3   Kg7 
22. Rf1   Qg8  

With the idea of ...Qh7

and now we are back in the book, and with the same idea and plan for Black advocated by Delchev/Semkov  made possible.  In the book, you can find the above information on pages 150-151 and even more specific, on page 155, game 44, the notes to White's 17th move.

Any comments from those of you who own the book or from Semkov himself?



 

I should add that in most Sicilians White's knight on d4 is one of the most dangerous pieces - hence Nb3 is a considerable achievement of Black. Later a5-a4 could be with tempo. 
Why White retreats the knight to b3 is another question. Delchev clearly explains that it is meant against d7-d5 which is however quite hazy. But this line is still young. It is possible that in 10 years it will be treated very differently. That's why we exhaustively analyse Qf2 instead of Qe1, trying to anticipate White's next step in the "English" battle.

Now, now... it was not that hateful either. After all he could have suggested the Philidor... (Excuse me, that should be 'the Lion'). 

I mean, some repertoirebashing is part of the game, and maybe even the greater part, as the choice between openings seems to be based on the 'character' rather than the objective merit... (And it can work the other way round, too : will you heed the advice of some member you know seems to favour some other lines you absolutely detest ?)

Quote:


Yes.....I totally agree that you are not well suited for the complexities of the Sicilian Defence.

Perhaps the solid and steady Petroff would be a more prudent choice for you.

Regards,

Toppy

David,

Somebody mentioned an Ebay shop called Chess Books From Europe earlier in this thread. They will ship it to you in Spain. Sometimes they are the cheapest and other times not.

Well that was basically what I meant. I understood it to mean that the move or variation looks good, but isnt "guaranteed" bullet proof as it isnt played (much) before.
Personally I liked a couple of those alternatives like the 10 g4 h6 11 h4 Bxc3, which I have looked at to check some possible variations.

Hi,

I will be interested in the Delchev/Semkov's book. What will be the best way for me to get it? I am living in Spain.

Thanks in advance.

David