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Normal Topic Topalov's novelty in Anti-Gruenfeld (Read 8053 times)
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Re: Topalov's novelty in Anti-Gruenfeld
Reply #6 - 08/17/12 at 08:27:56
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Markovich wrote on 08/16/12 at 14:25:06:
I don't know if it has been mentioned, but there was a recent NIC yearbook article devoted to this line.


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Re: Topalov's novelty in Anti-Gruenfeld
Reply #5 - 08/16/12 at 14:25:06
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I don't know if it has been mentioned, but there was a recent NIC yearbook article devoted to this line.
  

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Re: Topalov's novelty in Anti-Gruenfeld
Reply #4 - 08/14/12 at 08:32:17
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MartinC got it for the most part.

And it becoming "one of the main lines of the opening" doesn't mean much in a position where up to that point there had really only been 5.Qa4+ and 5.Qb3 as critical tries for an edge without transposing to a Grunfeld.

Just sayin'.
  

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Re: Topalov's novelty in Anti-Gruenfeld
Reply #3 - 08/14/12 at 08:26:41
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No, he just thinks Qb3 is ultimately a little bit better objectively. That doesn't mean there isn't plenty of scope to play after 5 Qc2, and thus that people won't use it.
  
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Re: Topalov's novelty in Anti-Gruenfeld
Reply #2 - 08/14/12 at 08:06:15
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BPaulsen wrote on 08/06/12 at 18:52:25:
There are lines that see the Qb3 retreat to c2 to support the white center more directly in 5.Qb3. I actually discuss this in "Play 1.Nf3!" - basically the idea is white is trying to save a tempo while still supporting his central advance, without accelerating black's development with ...Be6 later.

The downside to 5.Qc2 is the Nd5 isn't challenged, the Qc2 is more vulnerable to ...Ndb4 sorties (this does matter in the critical line), and black finds it easier to contest the center with active piece play.

I don't expect 5.Qc2 to ever surpass 5.Qb3 - the latter is distinctly better as a try for an edge.

From what you say I get the impression that 5. Qc2 was basically a one time surprise weapon from Topalov but if you read the article on this line in Yearbook 101 they say that is not a "one-off" move and that it has quickly become one of the main lines of the opening!
  
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Re: Topalov's novelty in Anti-Gruenfeld
Reply #1 - 08/06/12 at 18:52:25
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There are lines that see the Qb3 retreat to c2 to support the white center more directly in 5.Qb3. I actually discuss this in "Play 1.Nf3!" - basically the idea is white is trying to save a tempo while still supporting his central advance, without accelerating black's development with ...Be6 later.

The downside to 5.Qc2 is the Nd5 isn't challenged, the Qc2 is more vulnerable to ...Ndb4 sorties (this does matter in the critical line), and black finds it easier to contest the center with active piece play.

I don't expect 5.Qc2 to ever surpass 5.Qb3 - the latter is distinctly better as a try for an edge.
  

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Topalov's novelty in Anti-Gruenfeld
08/06/12 at 04:55:09
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I am referring to the now famous: 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Qc2N. What I don't understand is how Topalov's move compares with the old 5. Qb3 which on the surface seems even better: it is more forcing and White can still play e4.

Can anybody point to a concrete advantage of having the Queen on c2 as opposed to b3?
  
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