31 Jul '07 21:05>1 edit
Re: Korch
(I have to stop writing my response in the "Quoted Post" box)
I think Svidler's choice of using the Philidor against Leko in the rapid game was a practical decision, not a decision that indicates that Svidler believes that the Philidor gives equal or greater chances for Black when compared to, say, the Sicilian.
I agree that Bacrot equalised vs. Varga and Goliev by using the Philidor, but I believe he felt comfortable using the Philidor because his opponents were lower-rated and he felt he could outplay them in an opening they probably weren't expecting.
For now, I respectfully disagree that Black had an equal game in either Dreev-Azmaiparashvili or Polgar-Morozevich, but I realize that my analysis is certainly not immune to errors. Maybe if some of the contenders for the World Championship believe in this defence as strongly many players in this forum, we will be lucky enough to see a Philidor or two (maybe from Morozevich and Grischuk?) contested at the highest level.
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(I have to stop writing my response in the "Quoted Post" box)
I think Svidler's choice of using the Philidor against Leko in the rapid game was a practical decision, not a decision that indicates that Svidler believes that the Philidor gives equal or greater chances for Black when compared to, say, the Sicilian.
I agree that Bacrot equalised vs. Varga and Goliev by using the Philidor, but I believe he felt comfortable using the Philidor because his opponents were lower-rated and he felt he could outplay them in an opening they probably weren't expecting.
For now, I respectfully disagree that Black had an equal game in either Dreev-Azmaiparashvili or Polgar-Morozevich, but I realize that my analysis is certainly not immune to errors. Maybe if some of the contenders for the World Championship believe in this defence as strongly many players in this forum, we will be lucky enough to see a Philidor or two (maybe from Morozevich and Grischuk?) contested at the highest level.
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