The Taimanov System
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Quite a few books on the Taimanov opening do not really cover the system initiated by Mark Taimanov himself. John Emms in his book on the Taimanov: move by move completely avoids discussion of the what the Taimanov is all about. Mark Taimanov, the pioneer who initiated it states that the move Nge7 is the characteristic move. Emms only discusses Nf6. What are your thoughts on the system. It is not to be confused with the Paulsen, or Kan although their lines tend to resemble each other. They each are very disintinguished. Taimanov states that the basic strategy is to maneuver the knight to Nge7, then Nc6 after the Nc6 captures the knight on Nd4. Or Nge7 to Ng6, or Nc8....depending on what white does.
The only thing I know is I am drawn to the Sicilians that feature 2. e6.
1.e4 c5 2Nf3 e6 3d4 pxp 4Nxp Nc6 5Nc3 a6 followed by Nge7 etc was what Taimanov himself gradually likely best. In recent times 6NxN b7xc6 trying to show a6 an anti-move has become very popular, so many play 5...Qc7 first to avoid this. With Qc7 , nge7 has tactical problems. Even in situations where nge7 is possible modern players tend to prefer other methods.
Hmmm....Taimanov won many games with it...so it’s worthy of study!
TwoMove wrote:
1.e4 c5 2Nf3 e6 3d4 pxp 4Nxp Nc6 5Nc3 a6 followed by Nge7 etc was what Taimanov himself gradually likely best. In recent times 6NxN b7xc6 trying to show a6 an anti-move has become very popular, so many play 5...Qc7 first to avoid this. With Qc7 , nge7 has tactical problems. Even in situations where nge7 is possible modern players tend to prefer other methods.
I find the wasted move caused by 5...a6 more than sufficient if they DO go for NxN, as they have pretty much given me a nice d5 stronghold... However, one must cover the e5 square very quickly or White plops a pawn there, and you have to settle for the ...b5 idea and develop your bishop that way.
MickeyDeadGuys, Sicilian 2.e6 is fine when combined with 3.Nc6 to yield the Taimanov....2.nc6 with 3.e6 also works....
TwoMove, from what I read in the Taimanov system....Qc7 is played with Nf6...Qc7 is not combined with Nge7. A friend of mine combines Qc7. He’s very experienced so he avoids the tactical problems. The reason Nge7 works is Ng6 follows and combined with Nc6 avoids problems associated with e5 in many Sicilians.
Here's a starting point for the system
After 6g3 Nge7 7Nb3 then Ng6 is particularly attractive square for knight. So quite a few games have gone 7...d6 8Bg2 Bd7 then Nc8-b6 etc maybe after b5. Quite elaborate manovers with this knight, and it is not clear that simply Nf6 is better, and finding other ways to deal with e5. Quite a few strong players have played ng-e7 with Nc8 but personally prefer more straightforward methods.
Taimanov has written a book based around ng-e7, and there are quite a few annotated games of his, plus other strong players, like Karpov, using this move.
I’m actually studying “winning with the Sicilian” by mark Taimanov chapter on the Taimanov System. He also has a book called the Taimanov System which I’m trying to get a hold of.
Only a patzer would play 5Nc3 after 4...Nc6 why to block your own c pawn if black doesnt oblige you with 4..Nf6?
5Nc3 is the mainline move!
It's one of the most disappointing features of the opening forums, the low quality of the trolls
Isnt 5 c4, gaining space in the center (Maroczy bind), better? At least I had heard that
5.c4?! Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 and Black has a lot of pressure on the White centre. If you really want the Maroczy Bind, the line 5.Nb5 d6 6.c4 is a better way of playing it as now the Bishop can't come to b4.
TwoMove wrote:
It's one of the most disappointing features of the opening forums, the low quality of the trolls
what trolls?
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