ReneDescartes wrote on 02/23/16 at 03:10:41:


You can say that about most defences. What's the point learning the QGD Lasker or Tartakower as Black when you're most likely going to be playing against 5.Bf4 or the Catalan nowadays? Why bother learning certain variations of the Najdorf when you might not ever get to see them? Every defence will have lines that might not appear in your games frequently. At least in the Marshall, when it does appear you get an opportunity to bust White if they don't know their stuff. There's very few defences as Black that give someone that opportunity. I also think the amount of theory is exaggerated, sure the lines are long, but the variations themselves are actually quite narrow because the lines are very forcing.

BobbyDigital80 wrote on 02/22/16 at 22:04:06:




This was a nice recent game by Carlsen at Qatar. I don't think something like the Chigorin will ever get refuted, it's too principled, all Black's moves follow chess principles. So many ways to play the Chigorin as well, I think Marin's book from several years ago is probably still the most recent repertoire book on it? Although I remember when it was published not everyone liked the sub-variations he recommended.

Breyer is most fashionable atm but I think it's all swings and roundabouts. I'm certain the Chigorin and Zaitsev will have their time again. Perhaps Carlsen's recent outing with the Chigorin might generate some interest in it.

Berlin is arguably the best defence against 1.e4 atm. I think it's great because if you know it very well you can draw against players much higher rated than yourself, also you can beat players lower rated than you that don't know the plans. Also it's Black that has the choice in the endgame itself and White needs to be prepared for all Black's set-ups. d3 Anti-Berlin Black has choices as well. Definitely would recommend following Kramnik to anyone planning to study Berlin. I always prefer learning openings from players that play the opening exclusively. Tbh spoilt for choice with games to study in the Berlin, they all seem to play it and most of them seem to play it very well.

I play the Caro-Kann atm but: Najdorf, Marshall, Breyer and Berlin are all defences I want to try in future.

Edit in:

LeeRoth wrote on 02/22/16 at 23:49:36:


Even if you don't get to play it often in otb games, the studying of them won't be wasted because it will improve your chess understanding. Also the time I have spent studying the Marshall and I don't even play it, I have found very fun and enjoyable, it's a very interesting opening and some of the sacrificial resources Black has at his disposal are very interesting to study. It's the same pleasure I get from playing through beautiful wins by Black in the King's Indian even though I don't think I'll ever play it myself because I don't have the nerves required to play it well.

Methodchess wrote on 02/22/16 at 20:51:25:


Are there some top games with the Chigorin that show it's in good shape? I haven't come across any recently, and I thought the Breyer was way more popular.

I might play the Berlin because it still seems active enough in the queenless middlegame. What opening do you play against 1.e4?

Methodchess wrote on 02/22/16 at 19:01:02:


I'm more interested in broadening my chess horizons than looking for a more solid defense to 1.e4.

Regarding d3 lines against the Ruy Lopez, I meant that I didn't really like facing 7.d3 against the Archangel. I meant this line:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.d3. I would definitely play the Archangel if White always played 7.c3 or 7.Re1, but 7.d3 is a bit annoying and it could be argued that the Bishop is misplaced on b7. I'm not really sure how true this is as most reasons are kind of vague and not based completely on concrete lines. And if I decided to play the Archangel, I'd have to decide what to play against 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3. There are many good lines against this, but it's extremely rare to play 5...b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 against it, since white has already committed to d3 before castling. And I figured if I wouldn't play this Bb7 line against 5.d3, then why would I be comfortable playing the Archangel, when White can just transpose into it by playing 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7?

A 6...Bc5 Archangel player would have no problem playing a Bc5 line against d3, but a Bb7 Archangel player is most likely not going to play a Bb7 line against d3. I'm fine facing d3 lines, but with my B on b7, I'm not as thrilled, so I can't completely justify playing the Archangel with Bb7.

I would definitely take up the Marshall if it weren't for several early forced draws White can play in the opening. I know that it's up to White to prove an advantage, and if I were a top class player I would probably be fine with the Marshall, but at my level where I usually play people around 2000-2200, I just don't feel right playing a defense knowing White can force a draw in several main lines if he wants. It seems like in the Najdorf Black always has ways to avoid repetitions.

I was playing the Breyer in blitz online and I thought it was pretty interesting. I also bought Bologan's books on 1.e4 e5, but I thought the Breyer seemed a bit dull. In some lines Black kind of sits around in a closed position with not much activity.

I started playing 1...e5 because I just felt like it was a good idea to play these positions, and I like playing against non-Ruy Lopez lines as black, probably more than I do facing anti-Sicilians.

It's hard for me to just pick an opening. Usually when I do, I feel like switching a while later, then going back to it, then picking something else. I don't know why I just can't pick something and stick with it!

Quote:


Do these exist in the Gajewski? Come to think of it, isn't there meant to be some sort of neo-Gajewski as well, or am I making that up? (I'm a bit out of it ...)

I have a similar dilemma. I've been playing chess for years (I'm a little over 2100 USCF) and I've pretty much had a hard time choosing a repertoire against 1.e4. I've played various Sicilians (mostly the Najdorf) and in the last few years have been playing 1...e5. I really like the Najdorf a lot. One of my first books was a book containing all of Fischer's games, so of course I saw many Najdorfs in it, as well as reading through Daniel King's Winning with the Najdorf, which I think is excellent.

But I also want to play 1...e5 and for some reason I just can't choose a defense I like. I would play the Marshall but there are a lot of forced repetitions in the opening that I just don't like. I like the idea of playing something active, but not too crazy, and that avoids repetitions in the opening. I've tried out the Breyer, Berlin, and 6...Bb7 Archangel (but am not thrilled facing 7.d3. Can anyone offer some recommendations? Thanks!

P.S. I might just end up playing the Najdorf though

An update - thanks for the replies, quite thought provoking. I've elected for the Najdorf.