JonathanB: Yeah, I have that game, and it's interesting that Be3 was tried so recently at a high level. ...Bb6 is the tried and true antidote. I don't think there is much doubt that Black equalizes there. I guess my question is, is ...Bxe3 bad, and if so, why? If it is, White can try something besides 5.Nc3 and if say ...a6, Be3 may be stronger, since ...Bb6 isn't there.
I have some doubt that the Wisdom of the Ages, which is "5.Nc3 d6 6.Be3 Bxe3 7.fxe3 +=", is correct, but in general I am just confused by the positions that arise then. Or rather, the play takes so long to develop that analysis seems quite fruitless, and a fundamental understanding of themes and plans there, which I lack, rises in importance. But as I said below, if you play over the lines given in the Handbuch that purport to demonstrate White's advantage, you discover that they aren't very convincing. And everyone since then just gives a short line followed by +=, no real treatment.
Vass: Yes, that has to be considered, and it may even be a good idea. My engine likes White after Bxc5 and Nbd2, but I have no reason to trust its judgment. Answering Be3 with d6 seems to require ...a6 having been played first, since otherwise, Bxc5 followed by Bb5 might be strong.
ako: Yeah, there are plenty of other settings after an early ...a6, ...Ba7, Be3, where Black allows Bxa7 and then ...Rxa7, usually with ...Ra8 soon. And Black is very often quite solid. So your idea may be good, though I'm a little suspicious of wasting that much time with so few pieces out.
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