We were pleased to see a couple of positive reviews from the formidable English GM in New In Chess magazine.
First up was Beating Minor Openings by Victor Mikhalevski (awarded 4/5 stars by Sadler). A few quotes:
“The scope of the book is amazing.”
“Mikhalevski has clearly put a massive effort into this work and I can recommend it unreservedly to anyone looking for guidance against an oft neglected part of the repertory.”
“Just a couple of quibbles held me back from giving it the full five stars.”
The quibbles Sadler refers to are:
a) he considers some of the recommended lines to be less-than-ideal choices in terms of yielding winning chances against a weaker opponent; and
b) he would prefer if chess authors (not just Mikhalevski) would make it clearer which of their recommended lines are the product of engine analysis.
The second of these is an interesting observation on what is something of a grey area, as every line in a good opening book will have been computer-checked to some degree. Still, it’s something we will consider for future books. In any case, we were happy to see the generally positive review along with Sadler’s conclusion that “It’s an excellent book”!
Currently underway in Gibraltar, Adams – Sethuraman is Marin’s English repertoire against Mikhalevski’s anti-English repertoire. Or it was, until Black didn’t play Victor’s suggested novelty on move 11.
Excellent book indeed….like many others from QC.
Have you already any idea how to deal with the human/engine analysis ?
Sadler was even moren positive about Smirin’s book, calling it the best book of 2016!
By the way, any chance of a new publishing schedule in the near future?
@Ray
I second that ??
I suspect this will be the subject of Sadler review part II .
@Ray:
These days there are riots in the streets, demanding a new publishing schedule. People trying to chain themselves in front of the QC office, sleeping in the doorway – no answer from QC.
But news from the US: D.T. has signed an order, allowing only the chess books written by David Rudel. All others are banned permanently (except some old ones by Eric Schiller).
Any chance to have a:
GM Repertoire Pirc Defence by Marin Mihail 🙂
or
GM Guide Pirce Defence by….? 🙂
… Tiger Hillarp Persson!
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
There are sooooo many other books ? that are dir publishing before a book on the Pirc!
@Thomas
🙂 🙂 It’s all fake, it’s true 🙂
@Thomas
We should have told you, we moved office. All very quiet around here…
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
Have you seen Chess Stars book on the Pirc it Nigel Davies Move by Move book. At least someone has published a book on it not like the Classical SIcilian
Ah, the old trick. I feel stupid.
Speaking of a publishing schedule, is there a chance that French & Sicilian will be released some time this year? I noticed we passed the 5 year mark since the books were first mentioned in a publishing schedule on this blog (http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/blog/925). I’ve been postponing adoption of 1.e4 since.
And I made a joke saying it would be Winter 2017 and Jacob said “Don’t be ridiculous”……….I bet Jacob/John never though when they said Summer, that it would be Summer 2017 (and I am still not confident it will be that early).
Same with Najdorf 6A, another book that was estimated to be done over 5 yrs ago.
It’s really frustrating as these are two books I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I know you can’t rush quality but 5yrs + is a bit much even for the most patient person.
@The Doctor
First of all, the 6A book is published. It is the anti-Sicilians. Secondly, the 1.e4 book has advanced a lot, but yes, we have few hands and many responsibilities. And many books people want now now now.
Good to hear the book is at an advanced stage! I know people are looking forward to this book (I am as well), but to postpone adoption of 1.e4… It’s not that there aren’t any other books out there (Negi being the best, but certainly not the only one). For example, against the Sicilian there’s also Modernized, which offers interesting repertoire choices.
@Ray
I have the Modernized Open Sicilian and Dismantling the Sicilian, but I find the clarity of QC writing and editing much easier to follow
@The Doctor
I agree of course, but that wouldn’t be a reason for me not to play 1.e4 if I wanted to.
I completely agree ?
@LE BRUIT QUI COURT
You’ve got your wish ?
@Ray: a long time ago, the Sicilian but especially the French were the reasons I stopped playing 1.e4 (and the fact that I noticed that I scored much better with 1.d4).
I never found a good white repertoire book against the French; there is Negi now, there wasn’t then, but it’s overkill for me. A good book with repertoires against both would be the perfect fit for me, so I decided to wait, it’s after all coming soon…