bragesjo wrote on 01/11/22 at 13:58:56:


What are the lines that are more dubious? There are plenty of choices in the Nimzo and it's easy to find a good alternative. The queen's indian is quite different as it has been put under serious pressure by engines. If the repertoire provides a viable QI repertoire it could still have some value especially if 1.Nf3 is treated in QI style.

Repertoire books promise a complete solution for one side. The idea has a lot of appeal. The appeal is especially great for those who are starting out. However if you think that at least a part of your repertoire is in place, you may find some of the material irrelevant, or have to to look elsewhere for the material that you want.

I won't criticize the repertoire idea, but I also see merit in coverage of an entire opening. A recent example is the Panczyk and Ilczuk book on the Vienna variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined. Whether they like a line or not, it's there. Whether I agree or disagree with their assessment of a particular line, it is there.

I still like Steffen Pedersen's old books on 3Nc3 French, 3Nd2 French, Meran, and Anti-Meran. He covered all lines (of the time) with a balanced approach, simply trying to find and present best play for both sides. As I've gone all electronic, I regret that those books have never been re-issued in electronic form.

Bibs wrote on 01/08/22 at 02:48:33:


Both openings (NID and QID) are very flexible and allow for quite varied interpretations.

I agree that the approach of "mix-and-match from various sources" (ideally plus personal research) can be recommended for anyone who has the time and diligence.

In general, Nigel Davies has opted to recommend lines with considerable strategic content and with few forced variations that require memorisation (although these can never be completely avoided, of course), which seems to me to be an entirely valid and sensible approach for a book aimed at club-level players (as well as a timely reminder that for many, if not most, club players the "memorise it all" approach of Chessable might not be the most appropriate).   

In the introduction Davies writes: 
"The way I have written this book is so that it can be read from cover to cover, explaining the plans and a wide variety of structures and plans, meaning the reader can gain an insight into the strategic breadth of these defences. This may come as an unpleasant surprise for those expecting a telephone directory of game references and engine analysis, but I would urge you to bear with the approach that is offered.
Getting a good general feel for an opening makes it easier to learn any variations that are needed, or improvise if the opponent fails to cooperate with your preparation."

I suggest the book should be judged largely according to how well the author has achieved his expressed aims.

As quite a seasoned NID/QID player I was quite interested in this book, but actually recommends nothing I’d find remotely useful.

I’m actually coming round to thinking that these type of repertoire book are not for me.

I think it’s much better to explore the opening yourself and see what lines with you. It’s rare all the lines in one book will suit someone.

For example my NID repertoire is built from lots on sources.

4 Qc2 I play 4…0-0 then after 5 a3 Bxc3 6 Qxc3 b6
This is covered well in The Fierce NID by Chessable.

4 e3 Mostly follow GM Repertoire Nimzo-Indian but some lines I don’t like I supplement with other sources for example I prefer 5 Nge2 d5 6 a3 Be7 given in Thinkers New book.
4 f3 I follow …d5 from The Modernized Nimzo: QG !Systems.

You get the idea.

BobbyDigital80 wrote on 01/03/22 at 10:24:59:


Yes - two games with 4...cxd4 5.Nxd4 d5 6.Bg2 e5.

With just a little more help, maybe you're right ! d5 / Na6 / Be7 looks like it holds on but not that much fun.

I also looked a bit at hes line vs f3 Nimzo. The Nimzo Bogo book I mentioned actuelly tried to make that concrete line to work but thought that white would get dangereus play foe severa positioal reasons and thus recommend an other line nstead. I am not saying that recommendation is bad, everyone can analyse and decide themself.