TonyRo wrote on 07/07/10 at 18:03:18:
It's not clear to me where you draw the line. At least for me, if I want to figure out what the main line is of any opening, I can simply just load Chessbase and keep clicking on whatever the most critical move seems to be. I mean, is the Najdorf not a main line? If the author has no leeway to pick what he wants within the confines of an opening, the book would be entirely too predictable, boring, and old within months. You never know, given how quickly theory moves here, Ftacnik's lines could come to the forefront after the book gets released, then you'll be holding the book that pioneered the way first!
I tend to agree with you more about Avrukh's. He picked a sideline against the Semi-Slav and Slav that could have been switched out for something a little bit more mainstream, but you simply can't win them all.
Several points in reposnse to your post:
(1) The author should have a say but then QC should adjust their marketing campaign as well. If the book was called "Ftacnik on Najdorf" I would not complain but QC is publishing the book in "
a new series of high quality chess books based on the main lines" and Ftacnik's choices against
6. Bg5 are not main lines by any stretch of imagination.
(2) You say had they picked the main lines the book would have been "too predictable, boring, and old within months." The chances that a minor sideline (like the ones Ftacnik recommends) gets refuted are a lot higher when compared to lines that have been tried by the very best players for the past 50 years. Also if you believe that picking sidelines is the way to go why then stop with
6. Bg5? You can apply the same logic to
6. Be3 or
6. Be2.
(3) There is no difference between Avrukh's choice against semi-Slav and Ftacnik's choice against
6. Bg5. Your defense of Ftacnik can be used for Avrukh and your criticism of Avrukh can be used against Ftacnik. In both cases the authors decided that picking a main line was too much work and chose a sideline as a convenient cop out.
Finally I think QC has some explaining to do. If you look at the book page on their website, the table of contents (where they only give
6. Bg5 e6 in the chapter title) and read the excerpt (in the series foreword you can find gems like this: "
It is our conviction that you will eventually be more successful by playing the main lines, simply because they are based on better moves. Instinctively most players know this, but they fear losing to a prepared line and thus turn to unambitious systems, or unhealthy surprises. The opponent will not be able to use his preparation but, sadly, will not need it. These sidelines generally end in uninspiring positions almost automatically.") you won't guess their choice against
6. Bg5. Had I bought the book and then realized this I would have been pretty angry.
Pages: 
Grandmaster Repertoire Najdorf sicilian (Read 277911 times)
