TD wrote on 10/28/17 at 13:08:27:


Had a quick peruse of the review and his overall feeling is that there is a good book in there but poorly organised. I think he comments on the games being presented in some cases not actually fitting in with the philosphy of playing e3 (i,e some positions actually have e4 being played i think). Secondly, confusion about what lines Smith is actually proposing. I cant remember if he also picks out the issue Bragesjo does. He says that the book is aimed at the more serious player who can adapt to a more flexible opening repertoire than someone less skilled and simply looking for a set of openings to play,

Igor wrote on 10/29/17 at 21:41:26:

Well, the precedent was set by Lackdawala's "Ferocious" London. Perhaps "The a3 Chain Saw: You Can Beat Morphy" and "White is Equal!" by Adorjan? We just got a taste of what opening preparation can still do in Kasparov's recent rapid games. In nearly every game he had a real advantage in the early middlegame. Today's tendency is partly just fashion led by Carlsen, even if computers do analyze to equality more often now than before.

What is really poisonous? Kramnik described Botvinnik's preparations for his revenge match against Tal: "Everything was venomous, and well-perceived and regulated by [Botvinnik]." What were these venomous openings? Not quiet positional ones, as Tal had expected. Whereas Tal had expected g3 against the King's Indian, Botvinnik played...the Saemisch! Also against the Nimzo--the Saemisch and delayed Saemisch. Classic Botvinnik bulldozer setups with strong centers that restricted Black.

Igor wrote on 10/29/17 at 21:41:26:


There is already a 1 c3 DVD from white point of view so I am not surprised about any opening books or discs opening choices anymore.

TD wrote on 10/28/17 at 13:08:27:


Sadler does the reviews for the magazine, Flear for the the yearbook, so it is likely to be in the former. I havent recieved my copy yet so am not sure what these will be.

The ...f5 thrust is usually seen in the e4-d5 pawn chain lines to attack White's pawn center, but often weakening against other structures.

@Jupp53 -- I notice your opponent didn't go for 13. a3 (from e.g. Fischer-Miagmarsuren) -- I know it at least used to be thought that that is good for White (and that Black should play ...Ba6 before ...a4).

I thought HgMan might have been referring to some other line, because I don't think of ...f5 as being a typical part of Black's play.

The line is nothing for short games. It's all about queenside attack against king side attack. You have to be exact as defender.
https://lichess.org/wm6SzxqY#70
The link leads to an engine-free game I played. It shows the possibilities for the "defender" in this structure. Having played the KIA some years I think it's very difficult against an opponent knowing how to attack on the queenside. There are many games outside with the defender not really knowing the structure and the importance of each tempo! In this case white has excellent winning chances.

kylemeister wrote on 10/11/17 at 04:01:10:


I believe the line goes 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d6 6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 9.Rd1 e4 10.Nd2, although many other move orders are possible with 1.c4, 1.Nf3, 1.e3.

I have some experience playing the French and reached similar positions from the KIA. It never worried me there, so I don't mind playing it so much. However, I agree that the KID is the weakest part of the repertoire from a practical perspective.