The Philidor Defence - Alexei Shirov
Скачать The modern form of the Philidor Defence arises via the move order 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5. After 4.Nf3 Nbd7, Shirov has introduced the pawn sacrifice 5.g4!? and achieved excellent results with it. Accepting the sacrifice leads to a very sharp position full of tactical possibilities and Shirov has been very successful with the white pieces in this line. However Shirov always strives for objectivity and shows the possibilities for Black to navigate the complications as well.
If you find the gambit 5.g4!? too double-edged then Shirov explains the tried and tested, solid strategic approach 5.Bc4 Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Re1 c6 8.a4. Also in this system Shirov presents many of his own games, discussing amongst other things the difficult, but extremely important question of whether or when White can advantageously advance in the centre with d4-d5. The third system presented by Shirov arises after the traditional Philidor move order 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4. Black can try ... exd4, a move popular in the 19th century and now back in fashion. First played by Horwitz against Staunton in 1846 it is popular with many 21st century GMs. Shirov analyses his game against Nisipeanu who with Bacrot is one of the leading proponents of exd4. Shirov shows how White can fight for the advantage here.