fling wrote on 12/26/14 at 07:25:05:


As a quick aside: I'm not seeing this book in Forward Chess. Does availability vary by country?

I now see the book in Forward Chess. I might buy the book, because I am thinking of taking up 1 e4 e5 from both sides. The recommendation after 1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Bc4 Bc5 is 4. f4!?. I didn't think White had anything in that variation either, but I guess we'll see what new ideas they bring to the table. Has anybody bought the book yet?

Benoniac wrote on 10/19/14 at 20:09:11:


This is a good try for Black. Again, as in the other thread, all the current Vienna books are hopelessly wrong in the assessments.

White should try 6.Qxe5 as Caruana did recently against Giri. After that we are just beginning.

ArKheiN wrote on 08/07/14 at 21:10:44:



Thx a lot for posting your reflections and opinions! Im an amateur  indeed. So I guess I will buy this book.

Btw: i guess the title "modern" goes with the move 3.Bc4 and not the older 3.f4. And I agree with you that the romantic way is not totally dead 

Thanks again.

Ben

The Modern Vienna, I don't see anything modern here, it seems that the book is giving the traditionnal (and romantic) way of playing the Vienna (the g3 Vienna seems more "modern", but the book gives the Dracula-Frankenstein, the King's gambit declined with 2..Bc5 by transposition, the reversed Schliemann, etc), but I like the romantic way!

Unfortunately I have lost much of my analysis and notes on the Vienna after a computer'crash. So I will try to respond despite that.

I remember having been inspired by Mitkov and Mirumian's games. In the line you give, Mirumian played 8.Ne4 a few time while Mitkov prefered 8.Bxe4 Bxe4 9.f4. I liked both but I have got a preference for Mitkov's plan and this is one of the line I always wanted to play as White in the Vienna, for example after 9..0-0 10.f5 f6 11.Ng3, the position should be objectively equal, but I like the human's play, with clear plans in the kingside. The attack is quite slow and if Black's play is good the mate isn't here, but if you play good you are not worse too. So for GM this is not very satisfactory, but at amateur's play, or at master play as surprise weapon, it can be crushing. For me 5..Bb4 is far from taking the fun away for white, but 5..Na5 is or was supposed to be more disgusting for White. Here too White should be ok but the play is more positionnal and less fun. And I should add that 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6(!) 3.Bc4 Bb4 (! ->this one from my feeling as an "old" Vienna player and Schliemann's lover), where White is playing a reversed Schliemann (Jaenisch) defense of the Ruy Lopez, with a Bishop already on c4 (so it could be seen as an improved Schliemann but for tactical reason that's not the case..), but I really like Black even if here too, White should be ok.

In conclusion, I think the Vienna is perfectly playable at all level, but at master level it should work only as a surprise now, but to fight for an advantage it can't be recommanded. But for amateurs and improving players I don't see problem for White!

You could do an Emms-vs.-Emms thing by looking at Attacking with 1. e4 ...