Willempie, 

You're probably right.  It was just an idle thought on my part.  But then White isn't forced to play Na4.  White probably has better moves, but Black is probably fine if White hasn't castled yet.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 07/18/06 at 14:24:03:

Interesting suggestion.  Has it ever been played this way?  I've only seen 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Qf2, but never the immediate 10.Qf2.

Keano wrote on 07/18/06 at 09:43:47:

10.0-0-0 is the main move in this position, no doubt, and seems to be a move everyone here would be happy with (including Smyslov_Fan, I reckon ).  In this line I like the Qf2-h4 idea and will look into 11.Qf2 first.  11.h4 (often with Rh3) has been around awhile (and played a lot!).  I've seen statements to the effect that Black has no problems dealing with 11.h4, but doubt this is a consensus.  11.Nb3 looks a bit odd (idea is to avoid exchanges?); I'm intrigued that this might be Khalifman's suggestion.  If so, I wonder if anyone can tell me why Khalifman suggests it.

Although it hasn't garnered much enthusiasm here thus far, I still haven't eliminated 10.g3.  White has a couple of nice wins with this move.

As for 10.Be2, I liked it initially but now am not so fond of it on account of the 10...Nxe5 line, but could be convinced otherwise if anyone can find a way to make this line look attractive for White (an alternative point of discussion is: how many beers does it take to make this line attractive? ).

Right now I'm weighing 10.g3 vs. 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Qf2.  If I like the second line better, this is probably the way I will go.  If 10.g3 seems better, then I will compare it with other 10.0-0-0 lines and then decide.

I don't think any of White's options discussed so far are clearly superior/inferior (except that 10.Be2 looks drawish in the 10...Nxe5 line).  All reasonable choices; mainly a matter of personal preference at this point.

Hello,

I was thinking that 10Be2 intending 0.0 looked quite a reasonable try. (After usual 10.0.0.0 black's basic idea is to advance queen-side pawns for counter-play, and get bad bishop into game with ba6 at some point. ) The 10... Nxe5 seems to knock this out as a winning try, two correspondence games found in chessbase black held endgames after 11.Nxc6. Must admit would have missed this tactic, and some quite reasonable people in db did too.

Bye John S

I'd like to be Ostap's ally as I hv a HUGE grudge against the French (defense).

I think 0-0-0 looks most natural & helps to pressure the d-file a bit more. In fact Be2 looks good also, as it gives options to white on which side to castle (if played 1st). f3 & g4 look like useful squares later on.

I wld play these 2 moves in sucession.

10.o-o-o is most popular, but 10.g3 has done pretty well.

First I'd like to thank my new allies, MarinFan, Keano and CastleRock.  (At least I think you're my allies!)  

Secondly, I pointed out earlier that I play the Black side of the Vacuum Cleaner in over-the-board play knowing that I can score lots of points in the endgame.  In fact, I've never lost as Black in a serious game with that line.  However, there is not much theory to discuss in that line.  I'm interested in discussing the Kasparov gambit line at some point.

But today, and before I even started the game, I want to discuss the main line.  I see this as my great chance to learn something about a line I'd always been suspicious of for Black.  I've seen the great players win and draw with it and have some interesting notes of my own and from these players.  Also, MarinFan is interested, so here goes.

The moves so far are: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Qd2

and I play 9...0-0

And Nature Cheers as the Vacuum Cleaner is put away for another day!

I believe 9...0-0 is Watson's repertoire move in Play the French (will check this later, if not confirmed by someone else in the meantime), which would stand as a pretty solid endorsement.