LostTactic wrote on 07/19/11 at 20:38:52:


Regarding this point, I'm reluctant to concur. IM Alexander Bangiev has a theoretical and practical background spanning over decades (Historical note: he did also share some analysis with Kramnik, way back when he was enjoying the GPA). I possess the Jones book as well as the Bangiev 1.e4 cd, and I must say that I value the Bangiev stuff more. On another sidenote, IM Wippermann (student of bangiev also equipped with a lot of GPA experience, playing the GPA against McShane and others) did beat Gawain with the black pieces (around one year after the book was released), neutralising precisely white's idea.

One can argue that the book is 'only' a starting out. Then again also a "mere" local GPA protege like me could have assembled this book, as I personally didn't learn anything out of the book and disagreed on some evaluations.

This is the most critical point: there are several passages in the starting out book where Gawain claims some advantage for the first player, where objectively speaking, its not so easy. He does this quite enthusiastically and 'easily' dismisses some black possibilities. Yet in some cases, his recommendation leads to equal or even inferior positions.

Even if you disagree on Bangiev due to the sheer rating difference, your opinion seems to be way too focused on the current playing situation. Remember that the GPA is not very famous at the moment, but was heavily discussed in the nineties. I would consider (of course) Short as well as Anand (!) to be bigger experts on the GPA than Jones.

I thought he might have torrented it from one of those unscrupolous torrent sites.

Tops

JonathanB wrote on 07/20/11 at 15:51:45:


Good answer. 

JonathanB wrote on 07/20/11 at 14:16:29:

Ok, I just have to ask. If you never play either side of this opening, then why did you buy the DVD?

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm sure I'll buy this if I decide that I really want to try the Grand Prix. I'm still waffling on what to play against the Sicilian.

If you want to play the Grand Prix, then definitely, Gawain is the world's leading expert in the system.

JonathanB wrote on 07/13/11 at 10:49:03:


Yeh lol, that would make a lot more sense.

Been watching my copy for just over an hour and a half now and finally got to the point where Gawain takes on Boris, or the lack of it  .

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 e6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb5 Nge7 6. exd5 exd5 7. Qe2 and 7... f6! which is Avrukh's recommendation isn't mentioned at all in the dvd  . I think it's probably because it's blacks 6th choice and has only been played 10 times (using Mega Database 2011 stats).

Apart from that gap though I've been impressed by the dvd so far, it's clear that he's fully confident in the GPA and it's very interesting to listen to him as he explains the ideas and plans when he's going through his games. I think for anyone interested in playing the GPA this is a must buy + his starting out book on the GPA.

Goodness gracious me.
Nobody...?

Thans for the info, Jon. 
As you indicated above, Gawain looks at 3.f4 and 3.Bb5 after 2. ... Nc6.
I guess 3.f4 is the preferred choice, as Gawain seems to have dropped 3.Bb5 in latest years.
So this is a complete repertoire based on Gawain's games? If so, I guess he gives 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 g6 5.Bb5 Nd4 6.0-0 Nb5: 7.Nb5: d5 8.e5 in the main line, which is what he normally plays?!

So nobody got the DVD yet?
I've got Gawain's book on the Grand Prix and would be interested if it is worth getting also the DVD.

JonathanB wrote on 05/25/11 at 16:52:45:


It also has a lot in common with ideas seen in Nimzo Indian middlegames, but with a bunch of extra tempii. Unfortunately, nowadays Black usually knows how to avoid those structures.

Yaayyy more easy equality or =/+ for us Sicilian players!

As I read the DVD is finally out!
Anyone already got it?
If yes, first impressions?
I would be interested in Gawain's recommendation against 2. ... Nc6 (does he recommend 3.f4 or 3.Bb5!?).