IMO if the QGA is to be refuted, it must be with 3. e4! and 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3!. 7. Bb3 is too subtle to my unsophisticated mind, while I agree with much of what's just said about 6. Qe2.

For 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Nc6 6. 0-0 Be6 7. Bxe6, there was a critical Beliavsky-Sermek game which Semkov kindly posted some analysis, but that has since disappeared before I could look at it   

The gambit 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 is probably too much work for amateurs who meet the QGA rarely, but maybe that will change with Rizzitano. Black looks like he's holding up in a Geller Slav kinda way (see Sakaev/Semkov, or the lines in Sherbakov's brief ebook), but then you have Sakaev, Khalifman, and Beliavsky on the White side, so who knows..

John is correct that the absence of Fritz is felt in a few sidelines of my work. I still feel that the Furman is under-rated and a good choice, but there are indeed two problems:
i. Radjabov-Kasparov;
ii. Rublevsky's moveorder, although White may be able to get an edge with the simple approach adopted in Cox-Parker (4NCL 2005) in which there is also more than one way of recapturing on d1 which deserves attention.

I play Furman variation and I don’t for a moment think Furman variation is a refutation of QGA. Idea of Furman variation is to get into symmetrical pawn structure with double open c and d files, wedge a white pawn on e5 and use the space for an assault on the king side. The defense more often than not results in exchange of pieces. Double open files can also lead to exchange of major pieces.

So the resultant duel can be technical and the technical superiority or lack of it may be the deciding factor. 

I think, black can play for all three results, not withstanding database stats.

If QGA as a black defense as your idea and you are worried about Furman variation, I can recommend two excellent sources to arm you with the requisite knowledge.

1 Play 1.d4 by Palliser. His repertoire recommendation for QGA is Furman.

2. The chapter “Transformation of Pawn Structures” in Winning with the Pawn Structures by Alexander Baburin.

I’m sorry this doesn’t address the intention of your post except to say that there is no need to see ghost behind the stats of your database.

Just my 2c.

Quote:

I don't have Rizzitano's book.  Scott did not say if the book covered 6.Qe2, which looks very good for white.

- Lost Highway

Quote:

Scott -

Is the reason you asked the question because Rizzitano does NOT cover this in his book?  It looks pretty weak for black and very simple for white.

- Lost Highway

Hello,

It is one of those lines that has always been more dangerous than its appearance or reputation, so black players have not been so prepared as they should have been. If look of game of Kasparov's from 2003, shows how black can equalise with accurate play. There are other threads on lines, where black accepts pawn sac, but don't believe it that line myself. Can also look at move orders to avoid Furman variation.

Bye John S

p.s is it just me, or have other threads on d5 disappeared today?