lg wrote on 09/22/06 at 13:19:29:
To Markovich
Well, about one of the shames (for me) is that in so many Alekhine books,
there is no reference to that move (although it has been played by A. Miles -
and by A. Wohl - in this game White played 12 Kh1 and this is a funny position because
it is similar to previous analysed positions where here we have the Kings in h1
and b8 while in the known position we have the Kings in g1 and c8 - it appears to
me that Black benefits with the change in the position of the Kings).
The two other games I know where 11 ... Kb8 has been played, are two games
by Beckmann where White played 12 d5 (which is sound to me) and 12 b3 (?!).
The game by Miles is interesting because it illustrates the type of attack that
Black may look for (although I dont think 12 Qd2 was that good).
I agree with you that 12 a4 is the critical move.
Blacks two options are i) 12 ... a5 and ii) allowing a5 by White
After 12 ... a5, I think 13 d5 is strong. If Black replies 13 ... exd then we obtain a line
that, in my opinion, is much worse for Black than the line played without
12 a4 a5 included (which I believe is playable for Black).
Thus after 12 a4 a5 13 d5 I would suggest looking at 13 ... Nb4.
Alternative ii) is what we have been discussing and may (?!) be playable.
Changing subjects and in the position previously discussed by you
after 11 ... Bg4 .... 15 Qd2 (your move) and 20 c6 here are three variations
given quickly by guiding a chess program (thus they may easily improved)
i) 20 Bc5
21 cxb+ Kb8
22 dxc QxB
23 QxQ RxQ
24 R(a)e1 KxP
25 Rf7 Bf5
26 c6+ Kb8
and it may be possible that White wins by giving a piece by
playing BxP+ and RxP(c7)
ii (if Black plays 21 ...KxP then
22 Qc2 exd ?! (sacrificing the queen for 2 bishops)
23 Be4
Is this playable for Black?! I mentioned here this variation because similar themes may arise in other variations (for instance after 20 ... exd)
Finally, one notices that although White appears to have a strong attach on the
position after 20 c6, one notices that Black's Queen is hitting g2, and Black
threatens Rg8 and Bh3.
So here is one fun vaiation where, I agree, White may not be playing the best moves but this illustrates what happens if Black can put his bishop on c5
20 exd
21 cxb+ Kb8 (KxP?!)
22 Bf4
(22 Bg5 allows 22 ....Bb4)
e5
23 Bg5 Re8
24 Bf6?! Rg8
25 Bxh7? Bc5
and I think BLack has a strong attack
lg
There really are no up-to-date theory-books on this defense, of which I am aware; Cox's work is yeomanlike but it is by no means a theory-book; Davies is cursory and growing out-of-date; Kriszany and Videki is highly selective and not very good even in the lines that it does cover; Burgess is out of date; Hort is very out of date, though at least it is a solid theory-book by a top GM. That exhausts my references.
I must thank you for pointing out 20...exd4, a move that I rejected before on shallow grounds. It appears that it may offer Black good chances. I have analyzed it, and one interesting line is:
(For the benefit of others, 1. e4 Nf5 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe4 6. fxe4 Nc6 7. Be3 Bf5 8. Nc3 e6 9. Nf3 Qd7 10. Be2 0-0-0 11. 0-0 Bg4 12. c5 Nd5 13. Nxd5 Qxd5 14. b4 Qe4 15. Qd2 f6 16. Bd3 Qd5 17. exf6 gxf6 18. b5 Ne5 19. Nxe5 fxe5 20. c6 exd4)
21. cxb7+ Kb8 22. Bg5 Bb4 23. Qxb4 Qxg5 24. Qc4! Qd5 25. Rac1 Qxc4 26. Rxc4 Bf5 27. Bxf5 exf5 28. Rd1 d3 (28...Rd5 27. Rdxd4 Rxb5 28. Rd7 looks better for White) 29. Rc3 (White can't give Black time to get two rooks behind the pawn) 29...d2 30. Rc2 Kxb7 31. Rcxd2 (31. a4 Rhe8=) 31...Rxd2 32. Rxd2 Re8 33. Kf2 Re5=.