TL Chess Match 4 - Page 37

4.c3 Nf6
5.0-0 0-0
6.d4 Bb6

is actually standard(in the sense of mentioned everywhere as normal line in Classical defense) play. It even has its own name, Benelux variation. It is possible that it fell out of use in current GM play.

As for 5. .. a6 , why would he do that and what problems do you see for us in that move ? I do not want to think about it too much if you are just throwing random move out there. On the first glance it makes no sense for him to do that, as he develops nothing while we just castled and our bishop moves to pretty good spot.

I think at one point I argue that the positions end up at basically equal, with White having dynamic advantages in development and initiative, but having a weak d-pawn and weaker queenside pawns. My fear was that Black would have time to capitalize on those as the dynamic advantages fade away over time. Amusingly, my original vote for 5. 0-0 actually gives Black more time to do precisely that.

I actually still think 5. 0-0 is an acceptable move, 5. d4 is just much much sharper and keeps the initiative. You've successfully shown at least me that it is not at all as risky as I had originally believed.

If you want to use databases as an argument, then here it goes.
http://chesstempo.com/gamedb/opening/2374#
http://www.365chess.com/opening.php?m=9&n=7059&ms=e4.e5.Nf3.Nc6.Bb5.Bc5.c3.Nf6&ns=3.5.5.6.5.993.1101.7059

Within these two popular, public databases (I had to skip chessgames.com's database, since I can't browse far enough in), 5. O-O is far more popular than 5.d4 amongst, at least, expert+ level play. And narrowing down to any range for chesstempo's database, 5. O-O remains 5 times more popular than 5. d4. Using individual games as your representative group doesn't cut it, since I would have no problem finding 5 equally skilled GMs who used 5. O-O instead, not to mention most of your game examples are from before the true "computer generation" of chess, in which openings have been far more scrutinized since.

In fact, the most recent game played between two 2700+ players is http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1531081



Now going back to the actual position in the spoilers, black can simply just follow [9.. Nc3 10. bxc3 O-O 11. Bxc6 bxc6] and have a completely even game. His doubled pawn weakness is simply mirrored by our overextension.

The line that I think will be most common is similar to in jdseemoreglass' post, though 8. Nbd2 is the most common response in place of 8. Bd2, as shown in http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1564018.

After 8. Nbd2 d5 9. O-O O-O 10. Qa4 Bxd2, and the game feels extremely equal and passive, since neither player really has counterplay on either side.

After 8. Bd2, as suggested, 8... Nxd2 leads to counterplay for black very quickly. i.e: 9. Nxd2 a6 10. Ba4 b5 11. Bc2 Bb7 +/-, but with equal winning chances.

I've never liked castling, I don't give a shit what the 'standard' is because playing my own way is how I win all my games. Let's get aggressive here.

And white has gained his strong center with the two pawns on d4 and e4. Black's possible responses:

5...exd4 6. e5 Nd5 (or Ne4) 7. cxd4 Bb4+ 8. Bd2

5...Bb6. Here we can either go 6. Bxc6 d6 7. Nxe5 or 6. Bg5

5...Bb6. 6. 0-0 I guess you don't like to castle also? If we play 5. d4, we probably get to castle on move 6, but it is still a risk. Castling not only put the king to safety, also develop the rook.

Yeah, I think we have the initiative, and we have to continue the pressure in the center. I don't quite see any way yet for Black to take advantage of our center king (although I did see one line go: 5. d4 Bb6 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. dxe5 Nxe4 8. Qg4 Bxf2+, which leads to a weird position that I haven't yet determined if either player is better. At a glance, it looks bad for white, but I think there are some strong tactical advantages white has in this position).

Although I like 5. 0-0, I think d4 is a much more tactical and sharp move. If we decided to play c3 last turn, we can't simply put our plans on hold. Otherwise, what was the purpose of playing c3?

I guess d4 could be more tactical. I voted for 0-0 and expect black to castle as well, and then play d4 on move 6. But if we play d4 now black could play exd, which is fine and will be interesting already. I think most people not use to email chess and want some action right now, lol.

You might recall that I originally was a proponent for 5. 0-0 as a quieter play (my strength), also with the intent of 6. d4 if Black plays 5. ... 0-0, with a developed rook and an eye to an eventual Qe2.

5. d4 is certainly a lot more tactical, but I personally feel convinced that it isn't as risky as I originally believed in no small part because a6 hasn't been played [yet?].

Also, jdseemoreglass has me convinced that there is time for 0-0 later before the position blows wide open.

I'd actually go even further than your statement and say that 5. d4 exd is, by my estimation, Black's best play (i.e. much more than a remote possibility of it being the response).