Easy explanation for the games where he's playing at least. They're mostly in various local leagues/tournaments in Yorkshire which simply don't make any databases.

As for the rest, I'd tend to assume that a professional book author/editor has quite a few databases at their disposal

The reason they don't give all the games in the books is length of course - it'll make them mch thicker without adding all that much. At worst a big database should hopefully contain some similar games in the same lines?

but referred me to public databases, since he cannot send his own, as it has some value.
(Which I find strange, since if it is available in public then what could be so secret about it..?)

HoemberChess wrote on 05/20/11 at 13:55:00:


What's wrong with my account?
Even when I open very old topics after months/years of silence, what I ask seems invisible to others.

Is 'The Flexible French' enough to provide black with a complete repertoire vs 1.e4?

I've more or less made the 6...Qa5 (The Black Queen Blues) my mainline when playing the Winawer.

Here is my latest effort:

http://zibbit64.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-win-in-black-queen-blues-on-icc.html

My opponent played the Qb1 line. So far I think I need to work the most on early Qg4 lines, I've had trouble against early Qg4/h4 lines. In the blocked type positions I somehow usually do ok.

This is all very interesting...but it would be a lot better with some specifics...especially what he suggests against 3.Nc3 ala Moro. I have both Watson books (I like Dangerous Weapons a whole lot better than PTF), but I thought only one of those books deserved the hype. So I'm skeptical...the best way to evaluate an openings book in my opinion is to see what it says against the most challenging system.

This is all very interesting...but it would be a lot better with some specifics...especially what he suggests against 3.Nc3 ala Moro. I have both Watson books (I like Dangerous Weapons a whole lot better than PTF), but I thought only one of those books deserved the hype. So I'm skeptical...the best way to evaluate an openings book in my opinion is to see what it says against the most challenging system.

Well actually I was slightly underwhelmed by the book. Interesting ideas yes and not a bad book but it didn't seem terribly sure what sort of book it wanted to be.

It sort of wants to be a repitoire book (blurb on back, some elements of the layout) but really it isn't. It also shows signs of wanting to be an ideas book like the Dangerous weapons series - those weapon markers for instance (which I found more annoying than anything esle) - but it's not really that either.

In essence it's a set of interesting annotated games loosely grouped by themes.  A bit like Ulhman's Winning the French in that sense I suppose. Hardly a bad thing of course! It's just that presenting it this way might have helped the book.

There were also some niggly things.  For instance - iirc - after 6 a3 c4 7 Nbd2 in the advance annotating 7..f6! in one game then 7 .. Na5! in the next with the comment next to it that it's the only sensible move.

Some pretty dogmatic looking assessments in places too: giving two positions in which draws were agreed a big advantage sign for black, a small advantage to black sign to a totally normal Bxf5 position in the advance etc. 
(the Budapest might need such things, the French doesn't.).

Still it's not a bad book and has plenty of interesting content to work with A bit overhyped though I think - I really do prefer Watson's books for instance.

I received the book today and the first impreesions are excellent. The book is equal and the same format as The Fabulous Budapest Gambit from Moskalenko that had five stars from Chesscafe. Every chapter have strategy with typical ideas and plans for White and for Black, typical endings, heros and very well commented games explaining the theory and beautiful paintings! (ex: The liberty by Delacroix from Louvre is one of many in the book). A new format of making a chess book and for me one of the best I´ve seen this year and for a long time. I like honest authors and Moskalenko is one of them. 
Highly recommended! 
For people who judge books without seeing the contents,  please don´t buy it! This is a book only for french lovers    (other five stars book in a diferent way is the one from Eingorn for Chess Explained).   


...

Chevalier wrote on 05/13/08 at 23:31:38:


We now know one line for certain: A letter from Moskalenko to the latest NIC Yearbook (87) indicates that "the Flexible French will contain a thorough study of the MacCutcheon system."

To judge by Moskalenko's recent contributions to Chessbase Magazine, the Winawer with 6...Qa5 is probably another.

Perhaps the book will reflect Moskalenko's own practice; he seems to play the French as if he believes that "OK, the French is a bit inferior, but I like it, and if I can play a variety of different systems within the French, I will not offer a stationary target and I'll be OK most of the time."

The famous French Defence is one of the most widely-played chess openings. It is a fighting opening, which perfectly suits many club players as well as a growing number of top players. 

The Flexible French is a revolutionary repertoire book for both Black and White. Viktor Moskalenko presents a wealth of original and dynamic options in every main line, proving that the French is a very lively and intriguing defence. 

The Ukrainian grandmaster's analysis is high-level, yet his touch is light and fresh, and the book sparkles with original ideas. In his own inimitable style, Moskalenko gives the reader new gusto for the French. 


This extremely accessible book rounds off with seven relatively unknown weapons, early deviations with which you may surprise your opponent - as Black or as White! 



Original Variations for your Repertoire 


Strategic Explanations and Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players 


The French Defence is a gem in any chess player's opening repertoire. The main difference in comparison to other great openings is the display of knowledge and concepts that are required here, instead of a constant memorisation and repetition of long, forced, 'theoretical' lines. The middlegame and, with it, the real battle be­gins at a very early stage. 

This 'Flexible French' book is an attempt to mix various aspects: my general expe­rience in this opening, new concepts and analysis of several creative lines. Its pur­pose is to offer a combative repertoire to black players, and also to offer white players some sharp ideas. 


With 1...e7-e6 Black builds a fortress with a closed centre, so the main roads to success are those leading to a game where White's extra tempo is not so important. This defence is also full of strategic as well as tactical resources, and according to many masters, its lines are among the most complicated in chess. There are also several forgotten systems that are still full of possibilities, sharp and exotic lines, original ideas and much more. 


The current state of opening theory 

During the past few years - the computer days - many books by vanguard authors have seen the light, with ambitious names like: 'Beating the Spanish, the Sicilian, the French' and many others. Some authors even churn out books of this type up to 3-5 times a year! 

Please note that the Grand Masters, such as Botvinnik, Petrosian and also the best modern players, work on the study of their systems much more slowly, but with great depth - learning and practicing them year after year. The evaluations of their ideas hardly change, at least not as abruptly as in these new books. 

Also, I think that a new time has arrived for chess books on opening theory. In­stead of copying thousands of games that are played each day and presenting the analysis by the engines, it is much more effective - and more positive - to compose a book with articles according to a different concept: with space for background information, an instructive selection of the material and conclusions drawn from this material. 

The reader of The Flexible French will find it the easiest and the most interesting to learn the main plans with the following structure in each Part: 


Historic origin of each variation 
Main ideas, resources, advices 
Analysis of the most interesting lines through model games 
Illustrative games 
Statistics, summaries and conclusions.
I hope that my previous book The Fabulous Budapest Gambit and the present work can serve as good examples of this new method of writing opening books. 

Of course, many questions will always remain open, for practical players as well as theoreticians. 

Good luck with the study and the practice of a genuine opening - The French De­fence! 


Grandmaster Viktor Moskalenko, Barcelona 2008 

I should maybe note, that in the classical one was an irregular 5.Bxf6 after 4....Be7