MNb wrote on 08/14/18 at 14:18:22:

Thanks MNB. I wasnt trying to suggest he did force onto players (apologies if it sounded that way) - but i think some coaches may be less considered when helping their charges develop their repertoires.

Thanks also for clarifying the lines - i have a terrible memory and couldnt remember what they were

@Mtal - its probably in better shape than i may have implied earlier

Mtal wrote on 08/07/18 at 00:49:01:


Pretty much where ever Brabo contributes on this forum (or on his own website). I'll try to dig out the most recent post that i can recall where he talks about the lines which have left him either no longer playing the stonewall or at least recommending it to players he coaches.

The thread on the Johanson book he helped with has a lot of discussion in but that is obviously quite some time ago.

I tried the Stonewall in a couple of recent correspondence chess tournaments. I found it interesting and solid (and echo RoleyPoley's appreciation for Brabo's analysis on these boards). I'd need to study it a bit further, but in the end I'm not sure it suited my play terribly. But I did like its relative solidity and will definitely return to it on occasion.

Inasmuch as I used to play the Bird as White in the manner of a Classical Dutch, I've never fully brought myself to want to play it as Black. I've had very good results against it, which I think tempered my desire to try and defend its honour.

We've discussed this topic before on these boards, but I suspect that the real questions surrounding Dutch plans involve how to start (with 1...f5 or 1...e6) and what kinds of move-order challenges Black needs to prepare. I came around to the notion that I preferred avoiding some anti-Dutch lines and that meant opening with 1...e6, but I didn't want to play the French—and didn't trust my English Defence (1.d4 e6 2.e4 b6) as being as stalwart an option as others...

Mtal wrote on 07/09/18 at 04:12:15:

I started playing the 7...Qe8 lines of the classical a couple of years ago as i was looking for a relatively straightforward opening (aim for a kingside hack, attacking plans similar to in the grand prix attack/ austrian attack in Pirc) i could get on the board regularly (i play via the 1...e6 move order) and could adopt against an english set up.

I was tempted to play the stonewall but felt that it could only be played in a fewer situations. However, i am now looking at taking up the stone wall in addition to the classical because in some positions black is recommended to go into a stone wall set up and i think it is good to get used to those positions.

I find with the classical the positions can get quite messy against players at my level which helps me a bit as i am always in time trouble so the mess helps me sometimes get out through tactical means.