This seems to be quite a tricky move because after 3... Bd7, white can axtually hold on to the pawn after 4. Bc4. The thing is: does black get enough compensation for the pawn and what do you all think about 3. Bb5+!?
White should not defend the pawn but play Be2 followed by c4. Black regains the pawn but can't equalize.
After Bc4 Bg4 comes to mind and if f3, white can't get that harmonic game possible after Be2. Only my opinion…
After Bc4 Bg4 comes to mind and if f3, white can't get that harmonic game possible after Be2. Only my opinion…
Bb5+ is a legitimate line and has been played in top levels... after Bd7 usually Bc4 is played.
Bd7 then Be2 is the common move but bc4 seems better then Bg4 f3 Bc8 Nc3
Bc4 can backfire seriously if you don’t know the concrete bunch of theory. I usually went Bb5-e2 leading a quiet life.
A pawn is a pawn
Playing this as Black Bb5 is probably the move I like least after Nf6, as white can go Be2 and then set up with a small positional edge (so agree with @royalblue04 and @Sarg0n). Black is still very solid and has no structural weaknesses, but it is a different sort of game from the more unbalanced setup that I am hoping for by playing 2. .... Nf6.
Lines with 4. Bc4 Bg4 5. f3 I am happy enough with, in principle it is fine for White but f3 unbalances the position and Black gets plenty of play. Normally I then go 5. ... Bf5 and then end up regaining the pawn with Nbd7 - b6 - d5, before breaking with e5 or c5.
Meanwhile White can be playing f3-g4-h4 and games can be decisive either way in short order.
Lines with 4. Bc4 Bg4 5. f3 I am happy enough with, in principle it is fine for White but f3 unbalances the position and Black gets plenty of play. Normally I then go 5. ... Bf5 and then end up regaining the pawn with Nbd7 - b6 - d5, before breaking with e5 or c5.
Meanwhile White can be playing f3-g4-h4 and games can be decisive either way in short order.
Why would you even bother playing Bb5+ when there's a clear way to get an advantage after natural looking Nf3?
Nf6 scandi just doesn't equalise for black and imho white should punish black for playing it by going for the main line.
Opening theory on that line hasn't changed in the recent time so it's pretty easy to find what the right way to go is.
Nf6 scandi just doesn't equalise for black and imho white should punish black for playing it by going for the main line.
Opening theory on that line hasn't changed in the recent time so it's pretty easy to find what the right way to go is.
Bb5+ - Be2 is good for blitz games, white has small advantage and I get pretty comfortable positions with it. On something like Nf3 black can play Qxd5, Nc6 and 0-0-0 and start attacking white king. Not sure here.
even though stockfish 11+ recommends it, it can easily be blocked by 3...Bd7.
But one interesting move is 4.Be2!? (recommended by GM Smerdon). That's why Smerdon recommends Nd7!? instead of Bd7 but I prefer Bd7 as it is more aggressive.
But one interesting move is 4.Be2!? (recommended by GM Smerdon). That's why Smerdon recommends Nd7!? instead of Bd7 but I prefer Bd7 as it is more aggressive.
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