Hi!

he plays, as white:

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5

We'll hear about how the system is "playable," but the fact is, 3. d4 is
"theory" for a reason: it's the OBVIOUSLY BEST MOVE. He just handed
equality to Black at MOVE THREE.

Point1: why should 3.d4 be the obviously best move? Despite the fact that
it
is the most played move,
i see no "obvious" reason for your conclusion. But "the most played move"
is
not always "the obviously best move".

3. d4 grabs the center, gains space, encourages development, and promotes
king safety.

It just does more than the alternatives, except possibly 3. Nc3 transposing,
but most transpositions like that leave a detour in between the moves (in
this case 3....e5).

I could as well state that the "Scotch is obviously better than the
RuyLopez" (but would there be any reason for this? i doubt it)...

The difference is that the Lopez creates a threat to win the e-pawn. There
is no such threat in the sicilian here. The Lopez also develops the bishop
and promotes quicker castling (White doesn't have to castle queenside as he
often does against the sicilian).


Point2: look careful at the game, Adams had a clear advantage after the
opening.

And still couldn't win it? A main line player can win a won position in his
favorite line in his sleep.


In top level games, the player who deviates from the best theory first
usually loses. This game is yet another example.

Again: Adams had a clear advantage after the opening.

Yet still couldn't hold it. Even worse.


Adams was trying to cheat theory with a simple move that leads to
relatively
simple (but weak) lines for white. He lost, as he deserved to.

Have you really looked at the game?

Didn't have to after 3. Bb5. I'll have a computer do that eventually.


"I ain't gonna play Sun City" and the world's best chessplayers should
not
play Libya, which banned the Israeli players from competing. Shame on
the
Americans who went!

Well, i agree with the point that Libya was a bad choice for such a
competition.

As was going to the competition for those who knew it was in Libya.