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It was another dozen or so years until Harding’s collaboration with Nunn in 1989; then some small bits of work were published, and now - another 20 years later - there appears a new book concerning The Marshall. For an opening which could make the blood of many Spanish aficionados run cold and later became a standard equalizer at the top levels, this seems a sparse amount of coverage. Where’s the love? Working my way through Fighting the Ruy Lopez I was struck by a simple change in the direction of this variation. Previous books had allocated a large share of space to the “main line” after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Be3 with only short chapters on sidelines such as Kevitz’ 12.Bxd5 or Fischer’s 12.g3. This was because the line was still very “uncharted” and fashion hadn’t changed in evaluating or finalizing lines for 20 or more years. Whole new approaches along with extended work on older sidelines have become as much a part of the Marshall as the main line. Analysis of the mainline is out almost to an endgame which is part of the reason that the Marshall had been viewed as a top level drawing variation, but also the reason that so many White alternatives have become standard. This in turn is why a smaller percentage of space is given by Pavlovic and more to the “sidelines” 15.Re4, 13.Re2, 12.d3 as well as 12.g3 or 12.Bxd5. The Marshall has expanded in the mainline out several moves, but also in the number of approaches necessary to be familiar with for Black. Pavlovic has done a great job of presenting a complete repertoire for the Black player. In each chapter Pavlovic defines the goals for each side and puts out analysis of the ideas used to achieve those goals. The work is easy to follow, well prepared to provide good comprehension and it is engaging so the reader doesn’t become bored or tired. This last point is important because we are talking about lines that start after the 11th move, so there is a level of memorization involved just to get to the beginning! Following the seven chapters on the gambit itself there are four chapters on “anti-Marshalls” 8.h3, 8.a4, 8.d4 and 8.d3. This is another place where the base of knowledge has broadened as previously only 8.a4 and 8.d4 were considered viable ways to sidestep the gambit. Finally four chapters on other Lopezs, such as the Exchange Variation or the Worrall Attack. These final eight chapters are important because they represent a major junction from which White can get away playing the Marshall. Pavlovic recognizes this and does as good a job of providing a path for Black in each of them as he did with the gambit lines. This is wonderful as the only work to do this previously was Harding’s original 1970’s book. Black players previously would have to have a reference for the gambit and a separate source for “other” lines, whereas this volume does both. That is a very large bonus. More than
most other defenses or openings or variations the Marshall really is a
matter of personal choice. While it is viewed as a sharp attacking line,
the truth is that facing a lower-rated player who is heavily booked up on it
can lead to nothing more than an equal ending. Of course that possibility
could exist in any opening, but in the Marshall there is a chance of finding
analysis literally to the degree of a simplified ending. Also, there area myriad places where White could diverge, which makes the knowledge base that much larger. Yet, for serious players the style of play can be both exciting and rewarding. Consider that the Marshall has been a mainstay for GM Mark Hebden for more than 20 years and he is not a player to take his chances in an open event lightly! I would
recommend this book to anyone looking for an aggressive repertoire and
expecting to play 1.e4 e5 as Black. This book would work well for players
of almost any rating. From the Publisher's website:
Extract in PDF. Milos Pavlovic [right] is a Serbian
Grandmaster and a former Yugoslav Champion. He has enjoyed many
tournament successes and has represented his country on numerous occasions.
He's a renowned trainer who has worked with many top players, and he's
written for worldwide publications such as Chess Informant and New in Chess.
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Chessville
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Marshall’s
attack in the Ruy Lopez has an extremely unique identity. For decades
players trying to play the attack as Black had analysis in Marshall’s book
to work from, a few games from Geller and Spassky contributed in the 1960’s,
and then Harding’s book in the mid 1970’s.
