J-dog wrote on 04/12/07 at 05:53:20:


Not at all.  I appreciate your passion for the books and for chess!  Thank you. 

The Stohl books are so wonderfully produced (more hardbacks, please) that it would be tough for me to get rid of them but I think I will be adding the Karolyi volumes.  Thanks again.  

Quote:


Kasparov's Fighting Chess 1993-1998 and Kasparov's Fighting Chess 1999-2005 by Tibor Karolyi and Nick Aplin are two of my FAVORITE books that I own!  If there was a fire in my house, I would grab three of my chess books (not really, but just pretend with me): My Great Predecessors Vol. 4 personally autographed to me, and these two books by Karolyi! Here's why I like them so much:

1)There is PLENTY of good analysis that is very instructive and often times quite entertaining.  Okay, this is also a lot of work sometimes to wade through the masses of variations, but if you're not in the mood you can always skip it and go back later, as I often do.  Sometimes I'll just spend a couple of hours delving into one or two pages of analysis; even if it's for only a couple of game moves and I don't even finish the game it is fun.

2)It covers a period that contains some of the most phenomenal games ever played IMO.  Not only do you witness some epic battles with Super GMs where he emerges victorious, but you also get to see him cut through "weak" 2600 GMs like a hot knife through butter!  So on one hand you get to see the ultimate of subtlety and profound depth, while on the other fantasically savage displays of raw power unleashed in chess form.

3)The way Karolyi writes about Kasparov and his games is wonderful in my opinion.  I feel inspired and his writing generates a lot of enthusiasm in me to learn about the dynamic aspects of chess.  I feel like he writes from the point of view of a trainer much of the time, trying to show the youth of the next generation something special.  

Here is a tidbit I liked.  He opens the second volume by arriving on the scene just as the action is really about to hot up, on move 24 of Kasparov-Van Wely, Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee 1999.  As a postlude to this amazing game fragment, he writes:

"With its wealth of ideas, this is a typical Kasparov game.  Starting from a positional build-up, Garry utilized the following motifs: gain of tempo by an attack; a fifth-rank pin; a pin on the a-file; doubling rooks on the seventh; paralysing a bishop, and later a knight; a check recovering a pawn; switching between both wings; a bishop sacrifice; fixing the enemy pawns; invading on the 8th rank; and a fork with a knight. Garry was at his best here.  Like a work by a great artist, the game becomes the permanent possess-ion of anyone who takes the trouble to understand it." (p.10, Kasparov's Fighting Chess 1999-2005 by Tibor Karolyi and Nick Aplin)

The way he breaks the game (fragment!) down into motifs was an eye-opener for me.  I like that kind of stuff!

I had Stohl's vol.1 for a brief period (I cycle some of my books out) and while it was pretty good, I really liked much better Stohl's annotations for his other book, I think it is called Modern Chess Masterpieces or something like that.  Stohl's Kaspy book was just a tad to dry for me I guess.  Something about Karolyi's books makes them way more appealing to me.  It is really no contest in my mind which is better, but some might disagree or think I'm being too dramatic.  
 
Sorry, I really didn't mean to hijack this thread, I'll shut up now...

...oh, I think the Moller would be a good choice, too, though it seems maybe more tactically complicated than the Open (I may be wrong).  After looking at Greet's book on the Worrall, as an Open player, I would go for the Open Worrall with the Zaitsev type setup with d5,Bb7,Re8,etc.  I especially liked the line in Greet's book where black found his manhood and sallied forth with 14...f5! It just looks natural and powerful to me.

Beetlejuice wrote on 04/11/07 at 13:47:35:


I have to admit that I haven't thought about it that much.  I'm sure it's in my notes, but I haven't ever faced it that I can recall.

woofwoof wrote on 04/11/07 at 17:44:30:


But that sort of line is quite different from the actual Exchange.  As in, White has no chance for a kingside majority and Black has virtually an extra tempo.

J-dog wrote on 04/11/07 at 05:00:04:


Off point, but, Stormcrow, could you say a word or two about Karolyi's book(s) on Kasparov?   I have Stohl's two volume collection but I am still thinking about adding Karolyi's books to my collection.  If you are familiar with the Stohl books at all, perhaps you could compare them to Karolyi's book or books.   Thanks.  

Willempie wrote on 04/11/07 at 07:37:46:


You can play the Open and avoid the Exchange by playing 3...Nf6  4. 0-0 Nxe4 5. d4 a6.  I know that as a result of the upsurge in the Berlin, 5. Re1 has gotten a lot of attention, but my limited understanding is that Black's game holds up.  What does Greet advocate after 3...Nf6?

I'm not aware of a way to transpose into the Moeller from 3...Bc4 or 3...Nf6. 

I think that for young and improving players, 3...Nf6 4. 0-0 Bc5 is a defense worth playing.  My best student is up to about 2050 elo and continues to play this defense with excellent results (it's about time for her to change, I opine).  True enough, most of the time her opponents play the insipid 5. d3.  It's still chess, of course, but hardly a test of Black's play.  5. Nxe5 is the move to worry about.

The problem with the Marshall is getting a chance to play it.  White is still White in the leading anti-Marshall lines, it would seem, and many lead to Chigorin-like play.

I wouldn't say that the Zaitsev should be avoided as its main line leads to lively tactical play . I wouldn't deny that things can be a bit crazy in the 17....f5 lines but it's certainly leads to a fun game.

I would say that in choosing a line to defend against the Ruy, it's not that straightforward as there is so much choice. If you like more maneouvring game then any of the main lines after 9 h3 are fine for this . For more tactical game, the Schliemmann, Archangel/Bc5 systems, Marshall and the Open are the ones to look at.

Ultimately, I would recommend you play through a few games a la Anand to see what you like and then try a few blitz games just to see whether you feel comfortable with your new line.