Smyslov_Fan seems to be the only one to have read Max' initial post correctly. I must admit, that I had to read it three times too. 

1.d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. nf3 nf6 4. cd5 n:d5.
And here, without a board in front of me, I assumed that 5.e4 must be good.
I am flattered, that Castlerock wants to name an opening after me, especially a gambit, but alas - it looks likes 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e4 deserves the name Bad reading by Castlerock pseudo BDG.

I do not think move order is just a matter of taste. There are a few problems for White:

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.cxd5?! exd5 4.Nc3 c6! and Black has no problem developing the queen's bishop to f5.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nc3 c6
a) 6.Bg5 Bf5 is equal.
b) 6.Bf4 (slightly more ambitious) c6 (Tarrasch fans: c5!?) 7.Qc2 g6 8.e3 Bf5 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Nbd7 and Black must only castle after White's castling, but has very good prospects of equality then.

Three better move orders are:
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4!?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 or 6.Qc2!?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.cxd5 exd5.

This thread was started with Max asking:

Quote:


MNb will be glad to hear that I agree completely with him.  this will turn out to be a Marshall variation that is just bad for Black.  Since Black doesn't have 5...NxNc3 (there is no Night there yet), he's going to have to retreat the N and white gets a big center, a lead in development, and an automatic attack.  Not bad, eh?

There is no sacking of the e-pawn in this line, as CastleRock suggested because the Nf6 has moved to d5!!  This isn't a Tarrasch, or even a semi-tarrach, it's just a Trash.

By the way, White should just continue his normal development after 5...Nf6 with 6.Nc3.  Here, 6...Bb4 is just a mistake after 7.Qa4+! Nc6 8.Bb5! Bxc3 (forced) 9.bxc3 Bd7 and now 10.Ba3 keeps Black from castling.

This analysis is my own after about 5 minutes thought but even if there are improvements to be made, White clearly has a tremendous edge.  Whether it's theoretically winning for White or not, I would love my chances against anyone within 200 rating points of myself.

By the way, I agree with CastleRock that making the exchange on move 3 or 4 is purely a matter of taste; which openings you want to eliminate from Black's choices dictates your decision.

I gather MnB's talking about 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cd5 Nxd5 5. e4, which is likely to lead to a semi tarrasch.

Maybe i'm just too sleepy now, and i really should go to bed. But I have no idea what Castlerock is talking about.  ???

There is no way White can avoid going into semi-tarrasch lines.

Isn't 5.e4 just better for White?

I like to play exchange variation in queen's gambit, but sometime i have to face 1.d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. nf3 nf6 4. cd5 n:d5.
What is the best plan now for white?

And, above all, when is good for white to exchange? on 3. or on 4. move?

bye