If the chapter split remains the same, then 7...e6 or some other low(ish) theory variation seems the most likely to me. How would one stuff all the 7...Qe8 lines into a single chapter?
Ty wrote on 08/11/13 at 15:22:30:
Is 8.Re1 really that much of a problem? Have major improvements for White been found since Kindermann?
Yes. In particular in the 8.Re1 Qf7 9.e4 line. Nothing like a total refutation of the opening, but black has much more of an uphill struggle than anyone realised until recently. In fact, when I analysed this, I was no longer entirely sure whether 8...Qf7 is really any better than 8...c6, 8...e5 or 8...h6, all of which perhaps look a bit shaky. On the other hand, it's always a bit hard to tell how much is just the computer's preference for certain aspects of white's position or my limited chess ability as opposed to any actual true advantage.
The one time I've managed to get this on the board as white, both me and my 18 year-old 2200ish opponent had done in-depth computer analysis, but both deviated after 9...fxe4 10.Ng5 Qxc4 11.Ngxe4 from what the other had prepared on moves 11 (him deliberately with 11...c6!?) and 12 (me with 11.d5!? - because I decided at the board that it was a principled move to punish him for not preparing the queen's retreat to f7, but as far as the computer evaluation goes, you might call it either an unnecessary but not totally incorrect pawn sacrifice). So despite all that preparing, we were totally out of book in a razor-sharp position, which I eventually managed to win. I suspect there's plenty of opportunities to deviate with what is perhaps the computer's 2nd or 3rd or 4th or 5th or 6th choice at so many points, that from a practical perspective there's simply such a jungle of variations that white will never memorize it all (or I am just getting old...).
My efforts to research this troublesome line has led me to believe that what you mention here is probably close to best play overall. 11..c6 seems like one of blacks better attempts. The alternative could be, as in some CC games quite recently, to play what Flear more or less condemned in an update not too long ago: 11..Sxe4 12.Rxe4 Qf7 13.Rf4 Bf6 15.Nd5 and now 14..g5. both these lines might be playable - but the truth is that The 8.Re1, 9.e4 has taken a lot of the fun out of the Qe8-line alltogether. Black faces an unpleasant defensive task at the mere price of a pawn. Very different type of play compared to the old main line with 8.d5 where black often gets interesting counterplay.
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