John Cox, a quick question for you; my copy of the Berlin Wall book is missing the introduction (I think everyone's is, actually, iirc) - are there any plans to put a .pdf of this on the website, or are you able to reproduce it here/anywhere?  

Many thanks in advance.

Just browsing through Cox: Berlin Wall, I realize that he deals with lots of 9th move alternative for Black, just to mention 9...Ne7 (with and without Ng6 in the next move) , 9...Bd7, 9...Be7 and 9...Ke8 (followed by a7-a5-a4!?). Even  9...Be6 is dealt with, amongst the more dubious continuations

However, 9... h6 seems not to be discussed at all, as far as I unterstand. Nor is explained why this move is irrelevant... After all, 9...h6 is among the most popular moves in the position. (In fact, it is the move I have seen most often, when I play the Berlin with the white pieces.) Admittedly, there are a few remarks by Cox scattered over the book: On the side, the move ...h6 is often played soon and quite useful. On the other side, he remarks that late Tony Miles almost never employed it, seeing it as a loss of tempo. Black might need to play h5-h7 in one move, etc.

So, what's the current verdict on this move 9...h6? Which reason (or maybe a concrete line) put it out of use? Did perhaps Khalifman refute it?

IMHO, Black could well consider playing 9...h6 10.h3 and then continue with his usual plans like 10... Bd7 or Ne7 or even 10... Be6. Any opinions?

(Edit: It's all about 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3)

Slates, it's being reprinted just now with the introduction in. I don't know about plans to put it anywhere. I think Quality feel a bit burned by the reception of their last efforts in that field. In all honesty too no-one's missing that much, just a few thanks to various people and usual buy-my-book stuff. If you (or anyone else really) care to email me - johncox@dewarhogan.co.uk - I can email you a copy of the intro, unless Jacob objects.