CanadianClub wrote on 12/01/17 at 10:36:04:
BigTy wrote on 11/30/17 at 23:52:12:
CanadianClub wrote on 11/30/17 at 22:40:41:
I am studying the Leningrad right now. To get more dynamic and tactical positions than in my A-repertoire vs 1.d4 (nimzo + QGD). I need it to improve my game in general (advice from my coach).
I am planning to play Qe8 in the main lines, following basically the Roeland Prujssers videos on chess24. How good do you feel are they? Any other interesting sources? Apart from chesspublishing, of course.
Are here anybody playing the Leningrad already? Or everybody changed to other defenses? xDD
thx
I have been playing the Leningrad on and off for years. I mostly use it against lower rated players, in must-win situations, against 1.c4 or 1.Nf3 (because I am too lazy to have an independent repertoire against those moves), or when I know my opponent is some kind of d-pawn specialist and will avoid 2.c4 after 1...d5 or 1...Nf6.
I mostly played 7...Qe8, though these days I am experimenting with 7...c6, using Moskalenko`s book as a guide. I kind of like it better, as 8.Re1 seems rather unpleasant for Black after 7...Qe8, though of course it is playable for both sides.
If you are only interested in 7...Qe8, however, I would start with Kindermann`s repertoire book. Recently I bought Malaniuk`s book on ForwardChess, and it seems quite good, and is more up to date, though some of the recommendations are basically the same (8...a5 after 8.d5, instead of 8.Na6). I don`t have Kindermann`s book with me at the moment, so I cannot compare the two in detail, but one thing I really liked about it was his section on typical Leningrad ideas. Malaniuk, on the other hand, seems to give a more thorough repertoire against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3, which is very useful for players who want to play the opening against more than just 1.d4.
Cheers!
Hi BigTy,
I am going to play the Leningrad (or at least the Dutch) same as you (against lower rated foes). I don't like too much the Dutch against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3.
It was said to me that 7...c6 was a little less tactical, more positional. If the Leningrad was my first option it was OK (I tend to be too much a plain player: very very good positionally but with lacking concepts in dynamic and tactical play; I have to practice this) but now I need as messy positions as I can get
My main source was a book by Oscar de la Riva (Defensa Holandesa Leningrado) by 2001, in Spanish. And now also Prujssers videos on chess24. I have access to Moskalenko's book.
Interesting to see that in 2001, the line 7...Qe8 8.Re1 was considered a sub-line in 2001 but maybe the mail line nowadays.
I will post here somewhat my conclusions to try to discuss some things (I am already studying) XD
Salut,
7...c6 can have it`s fair share of tactics, depending on what White does. If you look at some of Nakamura`s recent games with it, you will see what I mean, though 7...Qe8 probably has more lines that are immediately sharp (I don`t really know for sure).
The sharpest, however, would probably be 7...Nc6 8.d5 Ne5, but after white exchanges on e5 and plays the set-up with Qb3/c5/Rd1 etc. I think his game is preferable, or at least much easier to play in a pratical game. It could be worth looking into as a surpise weapon though.
Another good way to create a fun tactical mess after 1.d4/2.c4 is the Modern Benoni, which has probably given me more decisive kingside attacks than the Dutch tbh, though maybe that is due to my opponents`s carelessness in blitz (those famous sacrificial games of Tal cannot be forgotten, however). Unfortunately, not only can white avoid it on move two, but even after that, as he is not forced to push the pawn to d5. One of my favorite things about the Dutch is that white can only really avoid it by 1.e4 (or 1.g4 I suppose), and even if he avoids the mainlines, black is still likely to get a sharp and interesting game.
I am not familiar with the videos on chess24, but I know that there are some good introductory Leningrad videos on YouTube by the Saint Louis Chess Club channel (I think...), though last I checked the 7...Qe8 video was either never made, or just not uploaded (Black`s other options are covered), so I think that those are worth checking out (I cannot post them here at the moment because I am at work).
I look forward to reading about your conclusions and experiences regarding the opening.
Saludos!
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Making the leningrad great again. (Read 21006 times)
