Book Suggestions on the Queen's Indian Defence

chyss wrote:

No, 2. ... b6 is very playable. Masters don't play it because they don't want to avoid the Nimzo. There's nothing wrong with it. 4. d5?! weakens white's dark squares for no good reason and just gives black a target. Black can either blockade with e5 or try to undermine it with e6.

Yep... blame that patzer Petrosian who played that horrible 4.d5 move, and the other patzer Gurevich, who attaches an exclam mark to it...

It seems that you are really high on something- right, Master?

We're sort of on the same journey - I began as a Dutch player, but the ultra-sharp responses are kryptonite to my 'builder' sensibilities, so, a few months ago, I undertook the QID/Nimzo complex, and it's been a very interesting (if frustrating) switch. One of my friends on this site suggested "The Semi-Closed Openings in Action" by Karpov - it's a little outdated, and Karpov is a kind of dry writer, but I doubt that there is much dispute as to who is probably the greatest QID player in chess history - Karpov! 

The main features of the QID are known (mostly 'fight for the e4 and c4 squares'), but the PAWN STRUCTURE is one of the most complicated animals in chess - because it's so amorphous. If you study the games of Karpov, he will teach you certain elements about the pawn structure - where the levers are in certain variations, when it might be OK to sacrifice a pawn, these kinds of very deep, very difficult judgments. My suggestion is to take a good look at Karpov's games in the QID and the Nimzo. He is not an easy mentor to work with, but he is by far the most respected WCC in this particular opening

AlisonHart wrote:

We're sort of on the same journey - I began as a Dutch player, but the ultra-sharp responses are kryptonite to my 'builder' sensibilities, so, a few months ago, I undertook the QID/Nimzo complex, and it's been a very interesting (if frustrating) switch. One of my friends on this site suggested "The Semi-Closed Openings in Action" by Karpov - it's a little outdated, and Karpov is a kind of dry writer, but I doubt that there is much dispute as to who is probably the greatest QID player in chess history - Karpov! 

The main features of the QID are known (mostly 'fight for the e4 and c4 squares'), but the PAWN STRUCTURE is one of the most complicated animals in chess - because it's so amorphous. If you study the games of Karpov, he will teach you certain elements about the pawn structure - where the levers are in certain variations, when it might be OK to sacrifice a pawn, these kinds of very deep, very difficult judgments. My suggestion is to take a good look at Karpov's games in the QID and the Nimzo. He is not an easy mentor to work with, but he is by far the most respected WCC in this particular opening

Karpov signed this book, but did not write it, so you cannot credit him "dryness". For the record, the book is nothing special, but in any case not a bad read.

IRVING CHERNEV!!!!!

Even masters play dubious moves. Look at some of Carlsen's openings! :)

What makes you think you understand Carlsen's openings? Certainly enough not your own "knowledge"...

@pfren

very condescending...

and GO CHERNEV!!

I guess 2..b6 could be playable but it might not be best to try to force a QID type setup without an early White Nf3. It looks like it makes it really hard to achieve Black's QID aims, which in my experience basically amount to:

Black's got a deferred counterplay defense with White usually getting a strong center and more space early. Black probably needs a solid setup before counter. Premature counter or slow dev typically ends up with an unpleasant position.

The B a8-h1 diagonal is a key. d5 and e4 square control/occupation are very important to control White's plusses. Maybe d5 even more than than the initial e4.

Black's c-pawn timing and placement is a major consideration due to a8 diagonal needs. And exchanges w/o disadvantage are usually good for Black. (N on e4 fulcrum/ B on g2)

2...b6 with a White Nc3 might give White too much d5 control making it cost Black at least time to get anywhere toward equal.

For the stub game on the a8 diagonal, d5, & e4 ideas I use:

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067973

I think by dubious he means "quiet" moves like 1.h3 which i remember carlsen playing (Probably a rapid) and the game just transposed into a regular game.

Yes, sorry, I definitely used the wrong word. Thanks blasterdragon.

Strong players can play pretty much any "irregularity" in the opening, especially in short time cfontrol games. For example Giri has been very succesful with the odd 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.h3!?