The present chapter is proofread, but some other chapters aren't! So, that's why there are some "xxx's" in, because the page count is not definite yet.

Ametanoitos wrote on 10/22/11 at 14:19:04:


Dear Ametanoitos,

having just read your excerpt (without checking any moves), I really like your style of presentation! Looks great, and my impression is that even for me as a player who'll never reach anything like GM strength it'll be very instructive. I'll definitely buy your book (and read it!), and maybe I might even think about starting considering taking up the Tarrasch as Black  !

Best regards,

Zwischenzugzwang

Ametanoitos wrote on 10/22/11 at 14:19:04:


Finally! And 1000 posts, congrats !

Not any intentions to do that. I just answer questions. I probably should stop and start doing that again after the book is out.

@Nikolaos Ntirlis

Today I was testing Tarrasch on Chess Planet internet server, playing as Black two games on 3mins versus 2558 player, and crushing him 2:0.

I was playing absolutely theory-free because I have never study it...

But this gonna change when you, my dear friend, shall publish it.

Most of all I like this huge dynamic potential...

PS Put in book a general and specific instruction which strategy/positional play books to study in order to get maximum out of this opening 

How many pages will the book be?

Yes, i can think at least two lines where this happens. The critical 7nth chapter of the book (9.Bg5 c4 line) and the 6.dxc5 main line. As a practical player that prepared these lines for club tournament i was a bit sceptical at first (some years back) but after scoring an incredible 5/5 in these particular 2 lines against opposition no lower-rated than me i can say with confidence that Black doesn't luck winning chances and active play in these endings. Usually Black is at the side of dynamics and White at the side of structure, if you want to think of something similar, think the Scotch opening. In practice the side with the active possibilities has good chances of getting the point.

From the theoretical perspective you cannot avoid scenarios when the White side forces you to a slightly uncomfortable situation when you have to lose some active possibilities in order not to end in a desperate position. In that cases Black should defend a bit and be well prepared in order to equalise slightly deeper in the middlegame or endgame. We feel lucky and more than happy that we trully didn't find a single position were Black cannot eventually equalise in the Tarrasch Defense. This seems impossible and trully amazing when you consider openings with far better reputation and compare them to the Tarrasch (the Closed Spanish is one that gets to my head now) where Black isn't certain if he actually equalises even after playing the best possible way. 

So, as a Black player i wouldn't mind of those positions. If i fear them i just get better and better prepared for them and this is proven that does offer excellent practical results. At least this is my experience as a player (not so active, this is the true) and as a coach.