Bibs wrote on 11/27/21 at 02:53:32:


I used to play the so-called Apocalypse Attack 1.e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 after seeing it many years ago in Secrets of Opening Surprises volume 2. See also http://www.kenilworthchessclub.org/articles/opening/apocalypse/apocalypse.htm

I found it entertaining to play but stopped playing it since my opponents seemed slightly surprised by it but usually they didn't have much trouble reaching fine positions. I was happy to see Coffeehouse 1.e4 Repertoire cover this as an alternative move order against the Caro-Kann, to get a modernized, GM-level take on this attack. But I'm not convinced yet that I should take it up again since, as Confused_by_Theory pointed out, Black gets nice development and some of the positions are kind of dry.

Overall I absolutely love both Coffeehouse volumes though. Jones writes very well, and the lines are mostly aggressive, full of pitfalls Black can fall into, and have at least a little bit of surprise value, while also being fully playable even at GM level. 

I also really like IM Banzea's 1.e4 series on Chessable, and find it similar in style to Coffeehouse though with no overlap so far in the variations chosen (two out of the three courses are out, and the third should complete the repertoire). So I am planning to mix and match between these. 

For the Caro-Kann, Banzea gives the Fantasy Variation 3.f3 in 
https://www.chessable.com/ambush-1e4-fighting-sidelines/course/78850/
I also used to play this years ago but had trouble against 3...e6. But Banzea gives some interesting new ideas there, and the positions are pretty tricky and fun. Objectively equal for Black, of course, but I highly doubt I could demonstrate any advantage for White in the main line Caro-Kann either.

Any thoughts on the anti-caro line given therein?
Exchange with Ne5, Bb5.

Not something I know much about at all. Anyone?

Hi.

The Pirc and modern coverage in the book (with 4.Be3) look really good it has to be said. If black is equalising it's gonna be with very good play.

Have a nice day.

Hi all. I hace been playing 1.d4 all my life (never played 1.e4) and recently expanded my rep with 1.Nf3 in pure Reti style (not quick 1.d4). Now I want to expand with 1.e4.

Is it a good starting point? I play French and AccDragon Sicilian (Noe hyperAcc to not allow Rossolimo).

What would be the most challenging part? 1...e5? 1...c5? I was intending to play Bishops Opening to get something not extremely theoretically hard to study and focus on Sicilians mainly (I know Tiviakov lines -some- by playing it with Black). Are Pirc, Modern, Alekhine, Scandis lines practical enough to start playing them without too much prep? Any suggested "easy" lines instead of some of them?

So... Do you recommend this repertoire to me? I am 1750 fide right now.

Thx !

BigTy wrote on 07/09/21 at 00:06:02:



is FC a software that turns books into pgn files? can you tell me more about where to find this? I would like to learn how to do the conversion. Thanks.

A small comment. 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Qxd4 (Nc6 5 Bb5) is Chekhover variantion. There has been some recent new ideas for white that does not involve marozy like setups.

1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4  Qxd4 Nc6 5 Bb5 is  called Gashimov variation. There was some 1h Chessbase DVD about the line some year ago.

I did rather recommend Carlsen variantion since in my experince with the white pieces whites position is that much easier to play regardless of blacks setup

The PDF excerpt to Volume 2 is out now! 

See: http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/1/397/coffeehouse_repertoire_1e4_volume_2...

tracke