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The Pirc / Modern

192 Seiten, kartoniert, Everyman, 2003

Aus der Reihe »Starting Out«

17,95 €
Inkl. MwSt., zzgl. Versandkosten
Final vergriffen
These books are perfect for enthusiastic chess players who are starting out in the game, and who are seeking to understand the basic principles behind these important openings. These books are written in a user-friendly style with an abundance of notes, tips and warnings scattered throughout while key strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated. The authors of these books are very skilled and experienced chess writers, who are used to writing for players of all levels and are renowned for their ability to explain ideas in a lucid and straightforward manner.
Grandmaster Joe Gallagher was the 2001 British champion

Ideal for those wanting to understand the basics of the Pirc/Modern.
The very closely linked Pirc and Modern Defences are dynamic systems that are favoured by ambitious, counter-attacking players. Black plays very much in a hypermodern fashion, allowing White to build an unopposed pawn centre with the idea of plotting its eventual downfall. In this new book, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Pirc/Modern and its numerous variations. Throughout the book there are plenty of notes, tips and warnings to guide the improving player, while important strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.
- User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas
- Concentrates on the key principles of the Pirc and Modern
- Ideal for the improving player
Former British Champion Joe Gallagher is an English Grandmaster who has been living in Switzerland for a number of years and is a regular member of the Swiss national team. His many books have deservedly earned him a reputation as a top class writer. His previous works include The Magic of Mikhail Tal and Starting Out: The King's Indian.


The Pirc and Modern Defences are two closely related openings based around the fianchetto of Black's king's bishop. The main starting position of the Pirc arises after the moves 1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 and it is a defence to 1 e4. In the Modern Black starts with 1...g6 and 2...Bg7 and it can be played against 1 e4, 1 d4 or virtually anything else. Thus one of the great advantages of the Pirc/Modern is that there is no need to learn separate systems against 1 e4 and 1 d4. The Pirc is the more structured of the two variations as White is forced to defend his e-pawn on move 3. In the Modern White is under no such obligation and he can take even more space in the centre with 3 c4. If White doesn't take up this option, and usually only players who play 1 d4 will consider it as it gives Black the chance to transpose into the King's Indian Defence, then in the majority of cases the two openings will simply merge into one. For example, after 1 e4 g6 2 d4 Bg7 3 Nc3 d6 (the Modern move order) 4 Nf3 Black will usually play 4...Nf6 transposing directly into the Classical Variation of the Pirc (Chapters 3-4), whilst 4 f4 Nf6 is the Austrian Attack (Chapters 1 and 2). Consequently the lion's share of this book (Chapters 1-9) deals with the Pirc with the last two chapters concentrating on lines that are exclusive to the Modern Defence, as well as a discussion on the differences between the two variations in Chapter 10.

Objective/Style
Although a whole book on the Pirc/Modern will obviously be of most use to those who wish to play this variation as Black, I have tried to be objective in my assessments and not exaggerated the strength of the black position. The fact of life is that, whatever opening you choose, it can be difficult playing Black. The important thing is to select an opening that suits your style. The Pirc/Modern should appeal to those who are willing to take risks to unbalance the game, and not so much to those whose attitude when playing Black is to try and neutralise White's in-built advantage of moving first. That said, the future direction of the game really depends on White as he can choose between lines ranging from the ultra-sharp to the ultra-solid.

My Pirc/Modern Credentials
It has to be said that the majority of my experience in this opening has been on the white side. I used to play it as a junior against 1 e4 but gave it up after I became addicted to the Sicilian Najdorf. However, in the last few years I have reintroduced it into my repertoire as my second choice opening against both 1 e4 and 1 d4. I would not claim to be a great theoretical expert on the opening (at least not before this book!) but I believe I have quite a good feel for the positions that arise. This is mainly thanks to my great experience in the King's Indian, an opening that shares many of the same ideals as the Pirc/Modern.

The 'Starting Out' Series
As can be gauged from the title this is not a book aimed at the master player who has played the Pirc/Modern for many years and is looking for the latest novelty on move 20. For you it may still serve as a refresher course in basic Pirc/Modern strategy, but the book is aimed mainly at the inexperienced player or more experienced players whose knowledge of the Pirc/Modern is limited. Heavy theoretical variations have been kept to a minimum and the emphasis placed on explaining the ideas behind the moves. When I have felt that long variations are essential (Chapter 1, for example) then I have tried to talk you through them. Throughout the book important concepts have been highlighted by way of notes, tips and warnings. Another feature of the book is that each subsection has one paragraph entitled 'Theoretical' and another 'Statistics'. Under Theoretical' we discuss whether it is necessary to burn the midnight oil learning variations or whether it is possible to get by on general principles. The statistics section is a useful guide to which side has been performing better in a variation, but no more than that. All the statistics have been taken from the 2003 MegaBase from ChessBase.
These books are perfect for enthusiastic chess players who are starting out in the game, and who are seeking to understand the basic principles behind these important openings. These books are written in a user-friendly style with an abundance of notes, tips and warnings scattered throughout while key strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated. The authors of these books are very skilled and experienced chess writers, who are used to writing for players of all levels and are renowned for their ability to explain ideas in a lucid and straightforward manner.
Grandmaster Joe Gallagher was the 2001 British champion

Ideal for those wanting to understand the basics of the Pirc/Modern.
The very closely linked Pirc and Modern Defences are dynamic systems that are favoured by ambitious, counter-attacking players. Black plays very much in a hypermodern fashion, allowing White to build an unopposed pawn centre with the idea of plotting its eventual downfall. In this new book, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Pirc/Modern and its numerous variations. Throughout the book there are plenty of notes, tips and warnings to guide the improving player, while important strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.
- User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas
- Concentrates on the key principles of the Pirc and Modern
- Ideal for the improving player
Former British Champion Joe Gallagher is an English Grandmaster who has been living in Switzerland for a number of years and is a regular member of the Swiss national team. His many books have deservedly earned him a reputation as a top class writer. His previous works include The Magic of Mikhail Tal and Starting Out: The King's Indian.


The Pirc and Modern Defences are two closely related openings based around the fianchetto of Black's king's bishop. The main starting position of the Pirc arises after the moves 1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 and it is a defence to 1 e4. In the Modern Black starts with 1...g6 and 2...Bg7 and it can be played against 1 e4, 1 d4 or virtually anything else. Thus one of the great advantages of the Pirc/Modern is that there is no need to learn separate systems against 1 e4 and 1 d4. The Pirc is the more structured of the two variations as White is forced to defend his e-pawn on move 3. In the Modern White is under no such obligation and he can take even more space in the centre with 3 c4. If White doesn't take up this option, and usually only players who play 1 d4 will consider it as it gives Black the chance to transpose into the King's Indian Defence, then in the majority of cases the two openings will simply merge into one. For example, after 1 e4 g6 2 d4 Bg7 3 Nc3 d6 (the Modern move order) 4 Nf3 Black will usually play 4...Nf6 transposing directly into the Classical Variation of the Pirc (Chapters 3-4), whilst 4 f4 Nf6 is the Austrian Attack (Chapters 1 and 2). Consequently the lion's share of this book (Chapters 1-9) deals with the Pirc with the last two chapters concentrating on lines that are exclusive to the Modern Defence, as well as a discussion on the differences between the two variations in Chapter 10.

Objective/Style
Although a whole book on the Pirc/Modern will obviously be of most use to those who wish to play this variation as Black, I have tried to be objective in my assessments and not exaggerated the strength of the black position. The fact of life is that, whatever opening you choose, it can be difficult playing Black. The important thing is to select an opening that suits your style. The Pirc/Modern should appeal to those who are willing to take risks to unbalance the game, and not so much to those whose attitude when playing Black is to try and neutralise White's in-built advantage of moving first. That said, the future direction of the game really depends on White as he can choose between lines ranging from the ultra-sharp to the ultra-solid.

My Pirc/Modern Credentials
It has to be said that the majority of my experience in this opening has been on the white side. I used to play it as a junior against 1 e4 but gave it up after I became addicted to the Sicilian Najdorf. However, in the last few years I have reintroduced it into my repertoire as my second choice opening against both 1 e4 and 1 d4. I would not claim to be a great theoretical expert on the opening (at least not before this book!) but I believe I have quite a good feel for the positions that arise. This is mainly thanks to my great experience in the King's Indian, an opening that shares many of the same ideals as the Pirc/Modern.

The 'Starting Out' Series
As can be gauged from the title this is not a book aimed at the master player who has played the Pirc/Modern for many years and is looking for the latest novelty on move 20. For you it may still serve as a refresher course in basic Pirc/Modern strategy, but the book is aimed mainly at the inexperienced player or more experienced players whose knowledge of the Pirc/Modern is limited. Heavy theoretical variations have been kept to a minimum and the emphasis placed on explaining the ideas behind the moves. When I have felt that long variations are essential (Chapter 1, for example) then I have tried to talk you through them. Throughout the book important concepts have been highlighted by way of notes, tips and warnings. Another feature of the book is that each subsection has one paragraph entitled 'Theoretical' and another 'Statistics'. Under Theoretical' we discuss whether it is necessary to burn the midnight oil learning variations or whether it is possible to get by on general principles. The statistics section is a useful guide to which side has been performing better in a variation, but no more than that. All the statistics have been taken from the 2003 MegaBase from ChessBase.
Weitere Informationen
EAN 9781857443363
Gewicht 370 g
Hersteller Everyman
Breite 17,4 cm
Höhe 24,5 cm
Medium Buch
Erscheinungsjahr 2003
Autor Joe Gallagher
Reihe Starting Out
Sprache Englisch
ISBN-10 1857443365
ISBN-13 9781857443363
Seiten 192
Einband kartoniert
006 Bibliography
007 Introduction

009 1 Austrian Attack: 5...c5
029 2 Austrian Attack: 5...0-0
052 3 Classical: 6...c6
070 4 Classical: 6...Bg4 and 6...Nc6
082 5 Classical: Related Systems
099 6 4 Be3
114 7 White plays g2-g3
128 8 4 Bg5 and 4 Bc4
145 9 Odds and Ends
157 10 Modern with c2-c4 (Averbakh Variation)
171 11 Modern against 1 e4

188 Index of Variations
191 Index of Complete Games


044 Acs-Spasov, Budapest 2000
032 Afek-Grünfeld, Rishon Le Ziyyon 1993
095 Ansell-Koneru, London 1999
037 Asylguzhin-Magerramov, Abu Dhabi 1999
162 Atalik-Makhnev, Vladimir 2002
142 Barua-Rogers, Calcutta 1988
020 Beliavsky-Hodgson, Belgrade 1993
059 Brynell-Beim, German Bundesliga 2001
102 Bunzmann-Nikolic.P, German Bundesliga 1999
176 Delchev-Rey, Val Thorens 1996
091 Dgebuadze-Claesen, Charleroi 2001
057 Donaldson-Gurevich.D, USA 1989
066 Dreev-Hickl, Nussloch 1996
184 Enders-Gallagher, German Bundesliga 2002/03
067 Finkel-Beim, Tel Aviv 1996
108 Gallagher-Nyback, Stockholm 2002/03
076 Golubev-Hoi, Hamburg 1999
181 Grischuk-Bacrot, Dubai 2002
166 Hellborg-Chernin, Stockholm 1998
179 Hodgson-Norwood, British Championship 1989
120 Kacheishvili-Vulicevic, New York 1998
104 Kasparov-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999
124 Khenkin-Tkachiev, French League 1999
026 Kindermann-Gurevich.M, Haifa 1989
074 Kuczynski-Chernin, Budapest 1993
062 Maksimovic-Todorcevic, Yugoslav Championship 1989
087 Martens-Hansen.C, Amsterdam 1990
125 Milov.V-Solak, Biel 2001
025 Ninov-Peev, Ulcinj 1997
014 Nisipeanu-Badea, Romanian Team Championship 2000
109 Pavasovic-Gallagher, Pula Zonal 2000
137 Peng Xiaomin-Gallagher, Istanbul Olympiad 2000
165 Petursson-Michalet, St Martin 1992
133 Polgar.J-Lobron, Munich 1991
039 Polgar.J-Smirin, Istanbul Olympiad 2000
013 Polgar.J-Tregubov, Budapest 1992
019 Prie-Chabanon, Cannes 1995
148 Rausis-Davies, Dhaka 2001
111 Reefat-Marin, Bled Olympiad 2002
073 Ribli-Nunn, German Bundesliga 1990
096 Ryan-Gallagher, Isle of Man 2001
151 Sadler-Hodgson, German Bundesliga 1999
154 Semier-Gallagher, French League 2003
185 Sermek-Murshed, Dhaka 2002
056 Shahade-Nyback, Bermuda 2002
050 Shirov-Volokitin, Halkidiki 2002
036 Smirin-Rublevsky, Bastia 1999
169 Speelman-Norwood, 4NCL Birmingham 2001
021 Stefansson-Gurevich.M, Tilburg 1994
086 Sutovsky-Hodgson, York 1999
080 Tal-Petrosian, USSR 1974
131 Ulibin-Himdan, Abu Dhabi 2002
058 Van der Werf-Hansen.C, Wijk aan Zee 1993
119 Van Wijgerden-Hulak, Amsterdam 1977
048 Yemelin-Loncar, Rijeka 2001
093 Zapata-Schussler, Santa Clara 1996
Experte ist er für Königsindisch und das Königsgambit, der englische GM mit dem Schweizer Pass, und gegen 1.e4 spielt Joseph G. Gallagher am liebsten Sizilianisch-Najdorf - die Pirc-Verteidigung ist eher seine Zweite Wahl, schreibt er im Vorwort. Auch kenne er sie mehr von der weißen Seite her, und der große Pirc-Theoretiker sei er gleich gar nicht, „...at least not before this book!". Aber er habe ein gutes Gespür für solche Stellungen, eben wegen seiner profunden Königsindisch-Kenntnis.
Auch sonst schlägt Gallagher ungeTöne an: Klar schreibt er zu eiVarianten, dass Schwarz hart armuss, um auszugleichen - die meisten seiner Musterpartien gewinnt Weiß.
Zu jeder Hauptvariante hat der Autor eine CB-Statistik aus der MegaBase 2003 parat mit der %-Erfolgsquote von Weiß und dem mittleren Elo-Rating von W/S. Auch liefert er keine Variantenflut, aber ein typisches Reperist dieses Starting out auch nicht. Hatte Gallagher in seiner viel geKönigsindisch-Einführung (Starting out: The King's Indiari) noch begeistert für die Schwarze Seite gebleibt er jetzt neutral bis kriPirc/Modern aus Sicht von Weiß kommt bei ihm nie zu kurz, eher ist das Gegenteil der Fall. Der Autor legt Wert auf eine klare Buchstruktur - hier sein Lehrschema zu jeder Hauptvariante:
Eine Einleitung stellt kurz die wichAbspiele vor,
dann wird die erforderliche Strategy besprochen.
Ein kleiner Absatz (Theoreticat) sagt dem Lernenden, ob für die Variante viel Theorie zu pauken ist oder es reicht, die allgemeinen (Pirc-)Prinzipien zu kennen.
Die Hauptvarianten werden mit Statistics unterfüttert,
dann wird die Theorie anhand von 56 Musterpartien erklärt (meist nach 1990 gespielt).
Jede Hauptvariante schließt mit eiSummary.

Inhalt und Gewichtung Die Austrian Attack
behandelt Gallagauf 43 Seiten (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Sf6 3.Sc3 g6 4.f4 ...), mit den Varianten 5..c5 und 5..0-0 in separaten Kapiteln. Die Classical Variation (47 Seiten; 1. e4 d6 2.d4 Sf6 3.Sc3 g6 4.Sf3 Lg7 5.Le2 0-0 6.0-0) wird komplettiert durch die Modern Classical mit 5.h3, 6.Le3 und den recht neuen, in seiner Idee zwar simplen aber gefährlichen Angriff von Weiß mit 5.Le3, in Engals 150 Attack bekannt (1 .e4 d6 2. d4 Sf6 3.Sc3 g6 4.Lg7 5. Le3). Das englische BCF-Rating von 150 entspricht etwa 1800 Elo, es ist sozusagen der Angriff der 1800er gePirc. Die Idee von Weiß: Le3, Dd2, h6 und Königsangriff über die h-Linie. Gallagher zeigt mit vier Parworauf Schwarz achten muss, will er nicht schnell untergehen, und empfiehlt u. a. 5..a6, z. B. 6.Dd2 b5 7. Lh6 0-0 8.Ld3 Sc6! 9.Lxg7 Kxg7. Falls Weiß jetzt forsch 10.e5 zieht, wird er taktisch überrascht: 10...de5 11.de5 Sg4 12.Df4 (12.0-0-0 b4 13. Sb1 Dd5) Scxe5! 13.Sxe5 Dd6! und der gefesselte wS geht verloren. An solchen Details wird deutlich, dass Gallagher im Vorwort zu bescheiden war. Er hat sich intensiv mit der Pirc-Theorie beschäftigt, sein Buch ist aküberprüft Bekanntes und bringt Neues.
Die Weiß-Aufbauten mit g3, 4.Le3, 4. Lg5 und 4. Lc4 werden jeweils in eigenen Kapiteln behandelt. Eng verwandt mit Pirc ist die ModerVerteidung (MV): Nach 1.e4 g6, 2. d4 Lg7 verzichtet Schwarz auf frühes ...Sf6. Die Vor- und Nachteile zu Pirc wägt Gallagher sorgsam ab; sein Fazit: Der weniger Erfahrene sollte Pirc vordenn „In the Modern Black breaks a lot of rules ...". Nur wer die rules gut kenne, möge sie bewusst verletzen und diese Verteidigung spielen. Entsprechend knapp handelt der Autor die MV ab mit 30 Seiten und 9 Partien; die ersten 14 Seiten erörtern vor allem die Awerbach-Variante mit c4, zum Beispiel 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Lg7 3.Sc3 d6 4.e4 und jetzt nicht ...Sf6, sondern das tricky 4...Sc6, 4...Sd7 oder 4...e5. Wie gesagt, Gallagher ist ein Freund klarer Worte, sein Fazit am Ende des Awerbach-Kapitels: „Schwarz sollte ernsthaft über 4...Sf6 nachdenken. Als erfahrener Königsindisch-Spieler werde ich das Gefühl nicht los, dass all diese [Awerbach-]Varianten der MoVerteidigung dem Königsinunterlegen sind." Die letzten 16 Textseiten behandeln die Moderne Verteidigung gegen 1.e4 mit dem Schwerpunkt auf 3...c6. An einigen Stellen hätte ich dazu gern etwas mehr erfahren - ein Beispiel aus dem Vereinsschach: Nach 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Lg7 3.Sc3 c6 4.Sf3 d5 erwähnt Gallagher nur 5.h3, um das Feld g4 zu kontrollieren, und so spielen Titeläger auch regelmäßig. Amateure aber können dem sofortigen Vorstoß 5.e5 selten widerstehen - prompt kann Schwarz seinen heiklen c8-Läufer ak(5...Lg4). MV-Spieler bekomdie Stellung in Open serienweise aufs Brett, Gallagher erwähnt sie mit keinem Wort.
Das großformatige Buch ist einspaltig gesetzt, mit breitem Rand, der sich gut für Notizen eignet; der Verlag nutzte ihn für Symbole, die auf fett gedruckMerksätze hinweisen: Es gibt den Totenkopf (Warning!), das Notizbrett (Note) und die Glühbirne (Tipp}. Auch die Textzüge sind in fetter Schrift geund heben sich klar von Varianten und Kommentaren ab. Überhaupt ist das moderne Lay-out des Buches gut gelungen, also leser- und damit lernIm Anhang helfen Register zu Varianten und Partien beim Suin den 192 Seiten.
Fazit
Eine gute, weil praxis-orientierte, aktuelle und kompakte Einführung in die Pirc- und Moderne VerteidiEingebunden in 56 Musterwird die etablierte Theorie kritisch überprüft, gelegentlich korund um neue
Ideen erweitert.

Dr. Erik Rausch, Rochade Europa 11/2003