@Ametanoitos

I assume you mean 5.cd5, with the intention of 5...ed5 6.Bg5 transposing to the Exchange QGD. However, I think 5...Nd5!? is a good alternative after which Black shouldn't be worse following 6.Nf3 (6.e4? Nb4 7.Qd1 Qd4 is the idea) 6...0-0 7.e4 Nc3 8.bc3 c5 when Black has a slightly improved Semi-Tarrasch because Black has played both ...Be7 and ...0-0, whereas White's Qc2 leaves the d4-pawn somewhat vulnerable, and the natural 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Be3 fails to cd4 11.cd4 Bb4! when White has nothing better than the ugly 12.Kf1. 

5.Bg5 is another possibility, but then 5...h6 6.Bh4 dc4 7.e3 c5 8.dc5 Qa5 9.Bc4 Qc5 is approximately equal.

@MyDisplayedName

Refuted is too strong a word; there is nothing wrong with any of the English/Reti approaches, but with best play Black equalises. If you want to fight for an advantage against 1...e6 and 2...d5, you have to play d4 at some point, preferably on move 3.

Could somebody please give a quick brief on this Alatortsev variation (or setup), what it is and how it is avoided by White's 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Be7 4.Qc2 intending cxd5 ? I know the name only from a  sideline in the semi-slav botvinnik gambit.

Ametanoitos wrote on 03/26/10 at 06:49:44:


I recall the discussion of 4.Qc2 but can't remember the thread or variations. On a second glance, 4...Nf6 5.Nf3 (5.e4? Ne4 6.Ne4 de4 7.Qe4 Bb4) 5...0-0 6.Bg5 (6.Bf4 dc4 7.e4 c5 shouldn't be worse for Black, whereas 6...c5 could transpose to a main line Blackburne) 6...c5! looks about equal.

I think that Cox mentioned 4.Qc2!?

I agree that 3...Be7 equalises against 3.b3, and I'm surprised by how rarely it occurs in practice (nearly everyone plays 3...Nf6 instead). Indeed, this move along with 3.g3 dc4 is the reason I play 3.d4 more often in this position. 3.b3 and 3.g3 are most appropriate for when I'm looking for a quiet, positional and non-theoretical game rather than seeking an advantage out of the opening.

@zoo

I agree that this avoids the Exchange with Nge2. I believe 4.cd5 ed5 5.Qc2 is slightly better for White then, although a player with a broad repertoire can transpose to a main line QGD with 4.Nf3 Nf6 (it is difficult to suggest an improvement) 5.Bg5 or 5.Bf4.

I understand the desire to stay in an English repose with g3 and not play d4, but if it's objectively the best move, play it.  Who really cares what it's called.  If it's the strongest move in the position, play the Catalan and stop resting in the English!

Thanks,

I want (not "what"; corrected) to stay within the English, preferable with 2.g3. By the way, in my game McDonald's 5.e3 is probably better than what I played.