25 May 06
The most annoying opening to play against used to be the Queen's Gambit. I turned it into a Nimzo/QID but didn't feel completely comfortable because I rarely ever played it. Thus. I decided to start playing the Queen's Gambit in order to better understand it.
For those that play it: Why? Also, any advice?
25 May 06
Originally posted by PawnChopI found that many new chess books include inferior lines specifically to make one's game easier. I don't want this. I want what's considered the best and only the best. How does his book do in this respect?
Chris Ward has a great new book out on the QG for white, 'Play The Queen's Gambit' which i would highly recommend.
25 May 06
Originally posted by exigentskyActually Ward's book is awesome. It's not a bunch of sissy lines designed to give white a solid position. It's a bunch of aggressive options against of all Black's responses. Against the accepted, he recommends the really interesting 2.e4, instead of the more solid 2. e3 or Nf3. Against the declined, he recommends the popular exchange variation, offering up two ways to play, either castling long and playing for an attack against the black king, or the dreaded minority attack. He focuses more on the 0-0-0 variation though. Against the Semi-Slav, he recommends the Ultra Aggressive Qc2 and g4 plan, originated by 3 time US Champion Alex Shabalov, and popularised by Shirov. If I remember, Kaspy played a very similar variation against Deep Junior. And against the Slav I think he recommends the normal moves. He also provides great lines against the sidelines (Chigorin, Baltic, Albin, etc...) Highly, highly recommended.
I found that many new chess books include inferior lines specifically to make one's game easier. I don't want this. I want what's considered the best and only the best. How does his book do in this respect?
25 May 06
2 edits
Originally posted by !~TONY~!I would have played 2 E4 against the accepted anyway. This is very good. However, I wouldn't play the exchange variation vs the declined. Sure, it's low on theory, but that's only because it cedes some of the advantage. Statistically, Nf3 scores better and is played by higher rated players. On the other hand, trading a c pawn for an e pawn isn't too bad. 😉
Actually Ward's book is awesome. It's not a bunch of sissy lines designed to give white a solid position. It's a bunch of aggressive options against of all Black's responses. Against the accepted, he recommends the really interesting 2.e4, instead of the more solid 2. e3 or Nf3. Against the declined, he recommends the popular exchange variation, offering up ...[text shortened]... at lines against the sidelines (Chigorin, Baltic, Albin, etc...) Highly, highly recommended.
How does he handle 1 ...Nf6? Does he use Nf3 next or Nc3?
26 May 06
Originally posted by exigentskyI haven't read the book. I wouldn't expect him to cover Indian openings in a QG book anymore than I'd expect a playing the Sicilian as white book to cover the French.
No, but it must be dealt with if you wish to play d4 and then the Queen's Gambit. Thus, I expect a book on the Queen's Gambit to cover Nf6 anyway.
Are you saying Ward does not cover this line?