parisestmagique wrote on 02/14/13 at 21:33:52:


Yes, this is probably true. But a black mistake in the sicilian is often the last as well!
Sometimes we trust too much in opening books. As a starting point a good book is enough but you have to develop your own opinions, look for alternative variations if something doesn't suit you well, do your independent work...not relying too much on the engine, etc, etc. And of course, enjoy the process!

Hi, i dont have the book yet. Just some thoughts, i wonder why there is so much books about the Pirc and modern, i must have at least 10 at home. Maybe because it's easy to classify and maybe bacause it's not so tactical (except in the Austrian attack). I will always remember a quote about the Pirc by a french Master " in the books it's always good for Black but in practice, you just see White making mistakes and you dont often get the better game" i can add at the difference of the sicilian defense where a white mistake often cost dearly.

agropop wrote on 02/12/13 at 15:47:06:


You've pretty much summed up my thoughts on this book too.

I already have the book and I can say that i had what I expected. The austrian attack and 4. Bg5 chapters are just great. The author advocates,in the austrian, the 5...0-0 6. Bd3 Nc6!? line but also covers 6...Na6 with great detail. As I already had an opinion about this concrete line this was the first chapter I checked and I can say that is high standard.

I haven't got Vigus but previously had read Pirc Alert and I was a bit disappointed with the theoretical part, not only because it's dated (something unavoidable) but also with the lines chosen and the lack of detail in some critical lines...excessive optimism (I don't need to be misled, i already have bought the book  ) In these aspects I believe this book is far better, and like other Moskalenko's books, there are lot of interesting  ideas (new or few tested) everywhere, which makes a very dense reading. One can find answers but new questions are opened in return.

The only Thing I didn't like is that the chapter devoted to lines with 4.Be3 and Qd2 focuses IMO too much in the sämich approach, flexible lines with Be3-Qd2 and short castling are briefly covered. And maybe more detail could be devoted to the classical system. Anyway Tiger-style lines with a6 and Gurgenizde set-ups are also covered. I'm looking forward having enough time to make a serious work for improving (towards perfection?  ) my Pirc/modern!

Is the book is worthwhile even if you own the chess developments book by Vigus (which by the way seems a pretty good summary of recent developments)?

Is the coverage of Be3 lines by Victor focus on modern move orders or both Pirc & Modern?

JEH wrote on 01/27/13 at 13:55:20:


Me too.

But at least against 1.e4 I play 1...e5 more often than 1...d6/g6.

Sorry, for not explaininng my "problem" deeply enough. My approch is to start every game with 1...g6, 2...Lg7, 3...d6 and then to decide to enter the Pirc or the Modern.
I don´t like entering the Pirc after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 Nf6 5.Qd2 and now:
A) 5...0-0 6.0-0-0 c6 7.f3 b5 8.Bh6. I faced this OTB and analyzed this and it is hard to play against it with Black. Reading the DW or CD book, didn´t changed my opinion.
B) 5...c6 6.Bh6

So, I have to play the Modern which is ok for me.
Of course it is my point of view, other people could have other opinions about the different lines.
By the way I like 4...a6 in the Pirc to play against 4.Le3, which is analyzed very good in CD:The Pirc by Mr. Vigus.
The second (and last) line where I do not know if I should play the Pirc or Modern is the Austrian Attack. At the moment I like more the Pirc to play against the Austrian Attack. Against all others variations I like plaing both (Pirc and Modern).

Looking at the excerpt it seems to me Moskalenko concentrates more on the Pirc move order and the Modern is relegated to the notes.

At least the TOC suggests he only covers the Pirc against the Austrian Attack.

Against 4.Be3 the Modern move order is definitely more flexible. Personally in the past I have always chosen to delay the development of the knight on g8 to sidestep some dangerous lines.