I have been a keen Scheveningen player (off and on) for about 30 years. I become interested when learning chess by reading the K v K games in the 1985 WCs matches. As such I have always had a leaning towards the Classical Scheveningen! I therefore always used to play the Scheveningen via a Najdorf move order, mainly because Kasparov did, and until recently never really know much theory on the 'dreaded' Keres attack. Obviously the Scheveningen can occur via various move orders, and I have played all of these at some point. Books/Courses on the Scheveningen include: 1. Play the Najdorf Scheveningen Style by Emms. 2. Grandmaster Repertoire 6: The Sicilian Defence (which is covers the Scheveningen v 6.f4, 6.Be2 and 6.Be3 via a Najdorf move order) by Ftacnik. 3. The Taimanov-Scheveningen Hybrid by Semkov covers some Scheveningen lines by not all. 4. Starting Out: The Sicilian Scheveningen by Pritchett. 5. The Sicilian Scheveningen Move by Move by D'Costa. 6. Chessable: The Modern Scheveningen by Colovic I am aware they maybe more digital ones such as the recent Marin course on the Scheveningen via a Taimanov move order. I have decided finally to learn the Scheveningen via a pure Scheveningen move order, rather than a Najdorf, Taimanov or Kan move order for the reasons below! 1. Najdorf allows 6.h3 and 6.Bg5 lines and 6.Be2 e6 with early 0-0-0. 2. Taimanov allows 5.Nb5 and the new 6.Be3 a6 7 Qf3 lines plus a variety of other lines that a nothing like the Scheveningen, I'd prefer to avoid. 3. Kan allows 5 c4, and 5 Bd3 and 6 Nc3 Qc7 6 Bd3 lines. Using these move orders, for me is a case of the 'cure being worse than the disease'. After analysing the Keres for about 2 months in a lot of depth using a variety of Black AND White sources, such as Playing 1 e4 by Shaw, Attacking the Flexible Sicilian & GM Repertoire 1 e4 The Sicilian III, also playing the Scheveningen move order extensively online, I have come to the following conclusions: I have come to the following conclusions 1: The Keres attack isn't as terrifying as all that, and if you analyse the lines given in the White repertoire books, White ends up with no more of an advantage compared with any other White main line. 2. In order for White to get any edge they need to know a lot of narrow theory, the same as Black. 3. Not that many people actually play it! (I'm about 2100 online). Other lines which I was concerned about and think are tough and worry me more than the Keres Attack. 1. I am aware the 6.Be2 e6 Najdorf lines are popular with an early 0-0-0 and K-side pawn storm. I know Carlsen lost a few yrs ago as Black against one of these lines. This can be avoided somewhat by playing 6 Be2 Nc6 then if White at any point plays 0-0 Black has the option of transposing to a Classical Scheveningen, if not then Black can avoid ...a6 lines and play ...e5 in Modern Scheveningen Style as recommended by Colovic. 2. After 6 f4 I'd play a6 and avoid the 6 f4 Nc6 7 Be3 line given in GM Rep 1 e4 which I'd prefer to avoid. 3. After 6 Be3, then I'd have a few options, I haven't decided which to do yet. Play 6...a6 and after 7 f3 b5 play the line given by Cheparinov in his Chessable course, this look fine for Black, the issue is after 6...a6 White ca play 7 Be2 and play the lines I was trying to avoid by playing 6 Be2 Nc6. Play 6...Nc6, but then after 7.f4 I'd again get into a line I'm trying to avoid after 6 f4 Nc6. Play 6...Be7 then after 7.f4 Black prioritises ...0-0 and ...e5 rather than play Nc6. Play 6...Be7 then after 7.f3 play lines with ...Nc6 and ...d5 without ...a6 Play 6...Be7 then after 7.f3 play lines with ...Nc6 and ...a6 Would love to know other Scheveningen players thoughts a move orders and favourite lines!
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