Which modern GM's games should I study?

After having studied the games of Capablanca, Karpov, and some of the older GMs, I want to study the games of a more modern GM.  By modern, I mean post-Kasparov.

Some criteria for the GM:

* The GM should have been at least in the top 10 in terms of rating at some point in time post-Kasparov. However, the GM need not be currently in the top 10.  (This is a must.)

* The GM should play classical chess, relying more on the established principles of tactical and positional play than unconventional tricks and traps. (This is preferred, but not a must).

* The GM preferably plays primarily 1 e4 as White. I'm more open to different openings as Black, though I prefer classical ones (Slav, Semi-Slav, QGD, Ruy Lopez, Caro Kann, Sicilian) over hypermodern defenses (except for the Nimzo-Indian and QID, which I like).

Please recommend me:

1. The recent GM whose games I should study, and

2. A book that has a good annotated collection of the GM's games.

Thanks.

Its very difficult to understand how modern chess players today play chess coz some moves are 20 to 30 moves deep (yeah thank the computers for that).It would be very difficult for you and me to understand why they play such moves coz yes they have been worked out at home. But a recent if it may still be classified as such, GM whose games you can study is probably the master himself kasparovs greatest games by igor stohl. 

For me Karpovs Strategic Wins, Bronsteins the sorcerers apprentice, Larsen 50 games,Capablancas My chess career, Fischers M60MG are a must.

Add capablancas chess endings to that.

There really aren't any games collections for the top players post-Kasparov yet; they are still active.  The GMs I recommend for you to study are Svidler, Karjakin, and Caruana, all are primarily 1.e4 players.  You can always study GM games at your pace with our without an engine and just use chessgames.com.  

I studied Kasparov-Karpov games, it was helpful from time to time.

I have collection of post-Kasparov games. From Carlsen to Kramnik, Mamedyarov, Caruana, Nakamura, Kosteniuk...

Thanks for help so far.  Any particular recent books on recent GMs I should look at?

Depends what you mean by modern. I believe Nunn's "Understanding Chess Move By Move" consist of fairly recent games (Timman, Ivanchuk, Kasparov etc.)

Yeah, relatively few game collection books after Kasparov, but I have my eyes on a move by move book collection of Kramnik's games, of whom I'm a huge fan:

http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Kramnik-Move-by-Move-p3733.htm

And why put so many limits on yourself, especially about the openings and style? It's great to have a look at various approaches to the game.

okay i get what you want. FIghting Chess: Magnus Carlsen. there.

 This really isn't going to answer your question, but if its for study. I would check out databases, of your favorite players. I would concentrate on openings you like to play. I would also look at any game that has unusual mating patterns that you may not know about. You have to go through many games, to find them sometimes. Start your own collection of them, then go through them. You will be amazed at how this can help you.

I'll give you an example, the tecc going on right now. Go through the games that have been won, you can start by your favorite players, then pick out interesting endings, by chess position. I love to do this. I personally look to see what opening it was, and also if the losing side is down material, and I like really complex endings, with quite a few pieces still on the board.

I also check out if one side is lower on material, and how many moves the game lasted. I also like to look closely at the piece coordination. You can find some very interesting games to study in this way. So it isn't just about specific GM games. Thats what I basically like to do. Maybe its not yours, nor everyone else's cup of tea though. Regardless, good luck.

Sounds interesting.  I'll check that book out.  Thanks.

So, instead of relying on principles, what do contemporary players rely on?  

I understand that there are computers, but I don't think players can simply memorize tons of moves from Fritz and Houdini and expect to win that way.  What if there are good but somewhat offbeat deviations (as Carlsen himself often plays)?    What if I memorize 30 moves of Sicilian Najdorf as White and Black plays the Sicilian Classical instead?

As for calculation, that's been there since the beginning of chess.  Fischer, Kasparov, and many other tacticians did a lot of calculation.  Even more positional players like Karpov did calculation.

I appreciate your help, but I'm just a bit confused by your post.

The English GM Michael Adams has a classical style.  He plays 1. e4 and is a very good role model to study.

This isn't true at all.  There are books written of game collections of Carlsen, Nakamura, and Kramnik.  There are also books like Modern Chess Move by Move that have game collections of more recent GM's.

Micheal Adams, his games are really instructive.

Forget about GMs and start playing games, instead.

Maybe buy a few good book, too?

Your record is rather thin, to say the least.  What's up with that ??

I don't play my games here.  I play my games on another site and OTB.

Here, you just waste time chatting, apparently.