Grischuk's move I was unaware of. As Black, if I ever were to play 5...Nc6, the Endgame Variation (or now Grischuk's refinement) is something I would possibly side-step, as it does not suit my style, at least at the moment. There is the apparently risky 9...Nb6!?, if home analysis with an engine works out in a certain variation (but my engines are older ones now), and there is the Dangerous Weapons book's idea of 6...g6 (again after 6.Nf3), though the author of that chapter admits it's not exactly perfect - it looks to me that White might gain a slight edge in case(s).
As an aside, it seems I may have taken a quote from the Well's book out of context earlier regarding 5...Nc6 (i.e. that it may have been sounder than 5...e6), as there was some possible ambiguity involved (i.e. the author likely actually meant to compare 5...Nc6 to 5...g6 instead). Improperly checked things happen in the course of internet conversations, at times. It's hard for me personally to tell if modern books recommending 5...Nc6 (not at all implying 5...e6 is worse) is simply a reflection of a short-lived fad, without seeing if a considerable number of GMs are still playing 5...Nc6 these days at the top level. I don't have much in the way of 2018 databases. Otherwise, I have a fairly modern book on the Panov by D'Costa (2013) where so far I've found no clue about the popularity of any of the major continuations.
Last edited by Kevin Pacey; 12-10-2018 at 05:31 PM.
Reason: Adding content
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Hamlet (1.5.167-8), Hamlet to Horatio.