542 The British Chess Magazine
frankly wouldn ’ t trouble me all that much ; if you want any book to give a bulletproof repertoire without using a database you are likely to be disappointed , and this book ’ s qualities more than make up for any issues such as this .
Finally , I put the book to the traditional test of comparing it to a recent repertoire from John Emms ’ s admirable ( although aimed at lower-rated players ) ‘ Nimzo-Indian : Move by Move ’ which recommends the very Reykjavik variation I mentioned earlier .
Sokolov ’ s remedy against this is the new idea 9 c × d5 e × d5 10 d × c5 � × c3 11 b × c3 �g4 12 �b1 �c8 13 h3 ( and not 13 �c2 � × f3 14 g × f3 �h3 15 �e2 �e5 16 �d1 �fd8 17 � × b7 �e4 ! 18 �d4 �g6 with mate , as in Sadler – Pelletier , Bundesliga , 2003 / 4 – no wonder Sadler gave the game up shortly after this ) 13 … �h5 14 �e2 �d8 15 �b2 �e4 16 �c2 ! ( this is Sokolov ’ s new idea in this position , which is widely held to be fine for Black ).
Theory has no doubt ignored this move on the grounds that it loses material after 16 … � × c5 17 c4 ( the only consistent move ) 17 … �g6 18 �c3 d4 19 e × d4 �a4 20 �b3 � × b1 21 � × a4 , but Sokolov gives plenty of analysis to back up his belief that White has good chances for the exchange here .
It ’ s hardly surprising that Emms didn ’ t consider that ( especially since actually this is only his secondary recommendation ); he relies on Sadler – Pelletier . In Emms ’ s main line ( 12 c4 , which Sokolov also covers ) both books give pretty much the same existing theory , while Sokolov also considers 12 a4 , which Emms doesn ’ t mention .
However , in Emms ’ s main repertoire choice for Black , the Parma variation with 8 … �bd7 , it is Emms who has a nuance which Sokolov doesn ’ t consider . Sokolov considers that all of White ’ s main moves ( 9 �e2 , 9 �b3 and 9 a3 ) give him good chances of the advantage . After 9 �e2 Emms ’ s excellent coverage ( based on the limpid positional masterpiece Lautier – Carlsen , Khanty-Mansiysk , 2005 ) continues with 9 … b6 10 �d1 c × d4 11 e × d4 � × c3 12 b × c3 , and now Carlsen chose 12 … �c7 ( as opposed to 12 … �b7 ). As I understand it , the point of this move is , by attacking c3 , to slow down White ’ s plan of �d3 and c4 by one move , so that after 13 �b2 �b7 14 �d3 ( as in the game ) Black is in time for 14 … �d5 , when the threat of … �f4 to trade a pair of minor pieces ( almost always a good idea for Black in this set-up ) gives Black equal chances . Sokolov doesn ’ t consider 12 … �c7 at all ( he focuses on 12 … �b7 13 �d3 �c7 14 c4 �fe8 , as in Aronian – Leko , Nalchik , 2009 , in which Black was crushed ). Why a Nimzo expert like Leko should choose what according to me is simply an inferior order of moves like this is a mystery ( the answer to which almost certainly involves Leko knowing an awful lot of things I don ’ t , of course ).
Still , at the least we can say that there is something missing here which Emms explains and Sokolov could have done with explaining . Bottom line , though , a really fine book and a great resource for either White or Black in this line , although perhaps in slightly different ways . These days , the author is a Dutch Grandmaster . www . newinchess . com .
J . J . Cox
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