Re: A 2700+ GM Plays the French
Gary,
Is the Winawer really as bad for Black as you think it is? In this age of ChessBase it's possible to get a quick answer, at least in terms of results.
First I searched Informants 1-100 for all of the C15-C19 games. White scored 69% and a +100 performance rating, while Black scored 31% and a -100 performance rating.
Then I searched the last five years of MegaBase 2007 (my latest copy) for the C15-C19 games of players rated over 2200. White scored 57% and a +20 performance rating, while Black scored 43% and a -50 performance rating.
Because Informant games are selected for strategic interest, the sample is not necessarily representative of the entire population of games. This is borne out by the differing results from MegaBase 2007. In that sample Black scored slightly less than his standard 46%, but his performance rating was quite acceptable at only -50 points. On the aggregate Black was somewhat lower rated than White, so the result is within expectations.
Inconclusive, I know, but still indicative. The French Winawer is an extremely sharp opening but it's not ready for the slag heap by any means.
If you are one of those players who has an easy time against it, count yourself fortunate and give yourself the title of Terminator (a la Moskalenko)!
Regards,
Dan
Gary,
Is the Winawer really as bad for Black as you think it is? In this age of ChessBase it's possible to get a quick answer, at least in terms of results.
First I searched Informants 1-100 for all of the C15-C19 games. White scored 69% and a +100 performance rating, while Black scored 31% and a -100 performance rating.
Then I searched the last five years of MegaBase 2007 (my latest copy) for the C15-C19 games of players rated over 2200. White scored 57% and a +20 performance rating, while Black scored 43% and a -50 performance rating.
Because Informant games are selected for strategic interest, the sample is not necessarily representative of the entire population of games. This is borne out by the differing results from MegaBase 2007. In that sample Black scored slightly less than his standard 46%, but his performance rating was quite acceptable at only -50 points. On the aggregate Black was somewhat lower rated than White, so the result is within expectations.
Inconclusive, I know, but still indicative. The French Winawer is an extremely sharp opening but it's not ready for the slag heap by any means.
If you are one of those players who has an easy time against it, count yourself fortunate and give yourself the title of Terminator (a la Moskalenko)!
Regards,
Dan
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