Sacapawn wrote on 12/26/07 at 12:44:59:


Thanks very much for the pgn file Sacapawn, for a further brief analysis of this obviously critical line check out the final paragraph of my post in the following thread http://www.chesspub.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1190431501/0#0.

Take care,

Toppy

MNb wrote on 12/26/07 at 03:36:03:


a) Thanks but not interested, my query was one of curiosity related to the remark you made in this thread. I am now satisfied that it was much ado about nothing.

b) I did react and gave enough source information that should have more than met your needs provided you were really keen. I just did not feel like spoon feeding you. In the thread you cite, your analysis of one critical line extends as far as 8.Bf4 e5? [Your punctuation] 9.Ng5! [Again your punctuation] with a superficial claim, based on Informant symbol used, that white is clearly better or winning I forget which, in the very position where the analysis should begin not end.

It wasn't clear to me whether your rehabilitation claim was supposed to be taken seriously or was made toungue in cheek, but based on your reply I guess you were serious after all.

Tops     

MNb wrote on 12/24/07 at 23:20:51:


I eventually found the thread, but couldn't find anything in it for Black to lose any sleep over, just more of the same insufficient comp for a pawn type positions. No hole filling required. 

If the following position is the rehabilitation you speak of: 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Bf4 Bg4 9.h3 You should know that Palliser considered this possibility in his Fighting The Anti Sicilians book and didn't seem too impressed by it, and quite frankly neither am I.

Going back to the position after 8.Bf4, I believe the attempt to punish White's move order with 8...e5 deserves serious consideration. I seem to recall giving you some sample lines in another related thread after the more or less forced 9.Ng5, otherwise what was the point of the premature 8.Bf4, that I had previously analysed some years ago which maybe critical for the assessment of this line.

Ironically it is quite possible that the attempt for White to gain a tempo with the clever 8.Bf4 move order, may actually result in his simply losing a tempo should the uncompromising 8...e5 prove to be good for Black. 

Topper

MNb wrote on 12/24/07 at 01:20:40:


...so long as you don't actually use this in the Champion's League, I see no harm in this...   

MNb wrote on 12/24/07 at 01:20:40:


Really? which line would that be exactly.

TN

MNb wrote on 12/23/07 at 03:05:57:


The Morra played by anyone above 2000 baffles me. All that theory, and yet Black has several ways to ensure White is the one fighting for equality! IM Lenderman admitted this in his final ICC Morra lecture, while my personal favorite antidote is Silman's Bd7-system from 'Winning with the Sicilian Defence'. Both Palkövi and Langrock struggle to prove even sufficient compensation against this, and the ideas are easy to understand for Black.

naughtyknight wrote on 12/23/07 at 10:57:57:


This reminds me of my experience with the Classical Sicilian. Black is supposed to be most afraid of the Richter-Rauzer and the Sozin, right? I thought so, but against those I win almost every game, while it's the calmer Opens like 6.Be2 6.f3, 6.g3 that really give me problems! If other players feel the same way, then McDonald's and Davies' approaches deserve a lot of attention indeed.

I agree that more amateurs should consider Open Sicilians for White, but at the same time not all the Anti-Sicilians can be considered cop-outs anymore. In particular both the Rossolimo and 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 score at least as well as the open (due of course to the excellent status of the Sveshnikov), and are played at every level as serious winning tries.

LeeRoth wrote on 12/23/07 at 03:45:17:


Ha, ha, ha... I've been a closed/GPA player all my life. Sicilians don't scare me... Now, where did I put Gallagher's book on the c3 Sicilian??

The guys who make me chuckle are the guys who say they don't have time to learn the Open Sicilians, but then spend even more time jumping from one anti-Sicilian to another in search of one that will work.