Interestingly enough there is a game in the US Championship today between Liang and Akobian in the 8 Bd3 line. Akobian played 7...cxd4 and followed 8 Bd3 with Qc7 rather than ...Qa5 no doubt transposing back to Miedema's recommendations.

Stigma wrote on 03/25/19 at 19:20:55:


That sounds interesting. Do you know him personally or he has a public e-mail listed somewhere ¿ 

I had thought that he had found something very deep in the main lines of 13...Df7 or 13...b5 that no one has found yet that could alter the evaluations. But it looks like 9. Ag5 is what he dislikes. I vaguely remember a while ago Erwin L'Ami (if remember correctly) did a short article in ChessBase Magazine about 9. Ag5 for White with some strange new breakthrough after White takes on g6, where White forces f5 at all cost to weaken the d5 point. I wonder if this is part of why Miedema dislikes now 7...0-0.

And both are Dutch players, maybe players in the Netherlands know something about 9. Ag5 that we do not 

MW wrote on 03/25/19 at 19:43:57:


If I understand correctly, on the page 215 he says that he has "no specific move order preference" between 12. h4 Ad7 or 12...d4. So I guess he recommends the setup with both moves included. However he does not like the sideline 12...b6 and gives 13. Cxc3 with a +/=. 

12. Dd3 d4 and 12...Ad7 both given.

I am just looking through it today, first impression on the book would be high marks 

Hi Leon_Trotsky,

Have you considered sending Miedama an e-mail to ask him personally for a bit more information on what he believes is wrong with 7...0-0?

He seems like a nice guy. If you introduce yourself as a fellow Winawer enthusiast, you may get a good answer. 

MW wrote on 03/21/19 at 01:48:47:


I am not up to date on the theory of any of the Poisoned Prawn, but Berg had recommended 12...d4 if I remember. What do you mean that it is not doing well ¿ Has theory changed recently ¿ 

MW wrote on 03/21/19 at 01:48:47:


I simply cannot believe that 7...0-0 8. Ad3 Cbc6 is "almost refuted". It had some problems in 2014 at first when Negi analysed all three of 13...Ad7, 13...Df7 and Berg's 13...b5 but then the correspondence games of past couple years have shown how Black can play against his 15. Cg5 idea. 

13...Df7 seems to always be fine despite the apocalyptic style pessimissm towards Black's position. 13...Ad7 however might have real problems; but the other two I believe not.

I have been told that the book shall be in stock in Thinkers Publishing Belgium shop by the 22th march this Friday. My guess is probably this week for the European shops (hopefully).

I still think that 7...0-0 is a good choice though 

The excerpt looks very good, as I especially like opening books with a personal flavor.

Leon_Trotsky wrote on 03/03/19 at 18:48:40:


I think it is a taste thing.....according to Berg 7...Qxc7 and 7...cxd4 usually transpose, but 7...Qc7 makes the sideline  starting with 8 Bd3 a better option than it is after 7...cxd4.

Leon_Trotsky wrote on 03/01/19 at 10:15:57:

That's testable!

Poisoned pawn after 10.Ne2 60% (32% draws).
7.Qg4 O-O 8.Bd3 Nbc6 9.Bg5 71% (29% draws).

On a general level your thought seems to be incorrect.