HgMan wrote on 06/30/18 at 16:55:51:
[quote author=6474676163756C69060 link=1527703524/12#12 date=1530344188]The truth is: in correspondence chess, your job is to trick the engine more than it is to trick the opponent.
This last point is an important one in my opinion. It seems to me that lines like the Portisch-Hook can lead to maneuvering positions with locked pawn chains where the computer may not be as helpful and therefore can possibly give Black an opportunity to outplay his opponent. However, I am swayed by the experience of MNb and others who have played much more correspondence than I.
I would appreciate if one or more of you who feel strongly that the Sicilian (Najdorf and Sveshnikov) and 1...e5 offer better chances could say a bit more about why you think it is true? At the risk of over generalizing, my guess is that the French concedes slightly more - both space and a "bad" bishop and, though it is sound, it gives White more margin for error and requires more errant play by White for Black to turn the tables. If White is well prepared and plays at a high level (which is more likely with computer assisted correspondence play), he can milk those advantages for quite awhile (hence the long suffering for a draw.) On the other hand, with 1...e5 and the Sveshnikov (with 5...e5), Black doesn't really concede the center so the game is slightly more balanced and it is "easier" to turn the tables if White goes astray. I'm not a Najdorf player, but it seems as though Black counters in the center in some lines with ...e5 and in others is able to get a rapid counter attack on the queen-side, again leading to the conclusion that there may be less margin for error for the White player. OTB the Winawer PP offers a similar dynamic imbalance but against slow, careful, computer-assisted correspondence play it seems like Black ends up taking greater risk and is seldom rewarded with more than a draw since the tactical chances are well handled by the cold calculation of an engine.
I suppose I have rambled a bit, but I was trying to wrap my head around the underlying reasons for the experiences articulated by several of you. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and expertise. I may have to re-look at TonyRo's Kalashnikov!