The Modern Tarrasch Defense" by GM Eduard Gufeld, 1996
Cadogan Books, Figurine Algebraic Notation, Softcover, 144pp.,
$19.95 Reviewed by Glenn Budzinski

The Tarrasch Variation, which arises after the moves 1 e4 e6 2 d4
d5 3 Nd2, is one of White's most popular choices against the
French Defense. In his latest book, veteran Russian GM Eduard
Gufeld examines one particular line for Black: 3...c5 4 exd5 Qxd5.

Nineteen chapters of material and 52 complete games are
segregated into three sections. The majority (29) of the complete
games are from the 1990s; most of the others are from the 1980s.

Part I, which consists of three chapters, provides coverage of 1 e4
e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nd2 c5 4 Ngf3, with a separate chapter for 4 dxc5, 4
c3 and 4 Nf6/cxd4. The six chapters of Part II examine deviations
from the book's main line after 4 exd5 Qxd5. A separate chapter is
devoted to each of the following: 5 dxc5; 5 Ngf3 cxd4 6 Bc4;
6...Qd8; 6...Qd6 7 Qe2; 7 0-0 Nf6 8 Nb3 Nc6 9 Qe2/Re1; 9 Nbxd4
Nxd4 10 Qxd4. Ten chapters, more than one-half of the book's
material, is given to coverage of Gufeld's main line: 1 e4 e6 2 d4
d5 3 Nd2 c5 4 exd5 Qxd5 5 Ngf3 cxd4 6 Bc4 Qd6 7 0-0 Nf6 8 Nb3
Nc6 9 Nbxd4 Nxd4 10 Nxd4. Black's tenth move options, Bd7 and
a6, are each examined in individual chapters, preceded by brief
narrative introductions. In the 10...a6 line, numerous White
alternatives on move 11 are further segregated into separate
chapters: 11 a4; 11 c3; 11 b3; 11 Bb3; and 11 Re1.

Included is an Index of Variations, a list of the 52 complete games
and a Table of Contents, but no bibliography.

The book's strong point is its thorough theoretical coverage of the
4...Qxd5 line. Using John Watson's "Play the French" (previously
reviewed at The Chess Cafe) which provides a detailed
examination of selected lines in the French, and "Encyclopedia of
Chess Openings, Volume B" (ECO) as references, it is evident that
Gufeld's coverage is comprehensive. For instance, in main line
deviations after the moves 4 Ngf3 cxd4 5 Nxd4 Nf6 6 e5 Nfd7 7
N2f3 Nc6, both Watson and Gufeld cite Nikolenko-Bus from 1993
as leading to a minimal White advantage. While Watson continues
to follow this game, Gufeld offers 7...Be7 8 c3 Nc5 9 Nb3 Nbd7 10
Be2 0-0 11 0-0 f6 12 exf6 Nxf6 13 Bf4 Ng4 14 Qc1 Bd6 15 Bxd6
Qxd6 16 h3 Rxf3 as leading to equality in Eingorn-Glek from 1991
(page 22). The game in its entirety can be found several pages
later.

Looking at the main line, ECO analyzes 10...a6 and 10...Be7, only
mentioning 10...Bd7 in a note with the comment that it will
transpose into the a6 line after 11 be a6. Gufeld, in fact, cites this
transposition in his chapter on 10...Bd7 (page 80).

Also in the a6 line, Gufeld and Watson identify the same eleventh
move White options: a4, c3 b3, Bb3 and Re1. Although both
authors reach similar conclusions for each of the options, Gufeld
typically cites more recent games (as expected) and includes more
material. For example, in the 11 a4 variation, Gufeld references a
1993 game, while Watson uses one from 1990. Both evaluate the
line as equal, however.

The two authors also agree that 11 Bb3 leads to equality and rely
on Adams- Levitt, London 1989.

After 11 Re1, Watson follows Khalifman-Gulko from Lucerne
1993, where Black obtained an advantage but White had drawing
chances. Gufeld also cites the same game, assessing the position as
equal after move 21. But, rather than blindly following Gulko's
18...Nd5, Gufeld offers 18...Nh5 19 Re4 Kxh6 20 Rh4 Qe5 21 Bc2
Bf4 22 g4 Kg7 23 Rxh5 Qf6 24 g5 Bxg5 25 Rxg5+ Qxg5 26 Rg1
Rd5 with an unclear position in Thomas-DeMauro, a 1996
correspondence game (Page 125).

It is clear that "The Modern French Tarrasch" has been
well-researched. Beyond that, however, GM Gufeld's contribution
to this book is unclear. There are few, if any, original ideas, since
there is only a minimal amount of analysis that is not attributed to
a game fragment. The various introductions do little more than
briefly outline forthcoming material. Where are the grandmasterly
insights that one expects from an author as renowned as Gufeld?

Nonetheless, if the reader is a serious tournament player who is a
practitioner of this particular variation of the Tarrasch French, this
is probably the only book he need buy on this opening. As long as
the reader is not expecting more than an organized presentation of
current theory, he will not be disappointed.