I have only read the PDF excerpt, but I think is the best analisys of the exchange variation I have ever seen. This must be a very good book

Yes, you are right. He even talks about this when commenting that Beliavsky was (unlike himself) fighting against the Ruy Lopez with White.

Not to confuse people, but his secrets are rather idea-driven and not the most stunning novelty. However, there are lots of them in there, but I believe in more seldomly-played lines. Do not expect that Breyer is a forced win now
As I said, this book has a lot of fresh and interesting ideas in lines that are a bit forgotten (who knows why) and I believe the really standout feature is the approach Portisch has. I really like to read this book and play through the games as they are chosen very carefully.

As this thread got a little side-tracked, I hope that we can talk about the book again.

As Paddy noted, this book really is a gem. It's ok for me to not have the most fashionable lines included, because Portisch has a lot of interesting ideas in lines that I have not seen covered before. Furthermore, there are loads of interesting plans that I have seen seldomly, for example Nd7-b6 followed by Kh8-f5 in the d3 lines. Interesting stuff!

Also the modern Steinitz and everything related to it. I have not seen the idea of playing Bg4 and then Nf6-d7-c5-e6, although it is possible that I simply overlooked it somehow. I did a lot of work on the Spanish already, but this book shows again that there are loads of other ways to play and explore than current practise suggests!

Then 4.d3 as played by most GMs nowadays, leaving open the chance to play c3 rather than Nc3...with some sort of Giuoco Piano in view. Hardly a refutation of the Berlin, but not a drawish endgame yet.

I've never really understood this line of reasoning. If you think that, you may as well just play a Four Knights proper, no?

bragesjo wrote on 06/13/17 at 13:47:48:


And that's a clear win for White, right? 

I immediately boguht this on my IPad!

Portisch was definitely one of the best prepared top GMs of his heyday and made many important contributions to theory. Apart from the stories, there is fascinating and potentially very useful material for anyone who plays the Spanish for either side. His explanations are very good and he reveals many novelties.

This book is 'an event' and I hope it sells very well!

Has he refuted the Berlin? If not its rubbish.

I like it so far. He's dealing with all different variations, starting wih the Exchange and there is a mixture between his own games and important ones. What was interesting for me is that he uses a lot of space to Steinitz lines (old and new ones), not a lot on the absolute main lines in the Spanish. I believe this is vergin ground for chess books? Or at least, these lines are not that popular anymore. 

I really like the stories and his commentary, too. 

I have the e-Version, and for like 10€, it's really nice!