Smyslov_Fan wrote on 08/01/07 at 18:36:56:
Regarding the practice of the Budapest:
Since 1996, the popularity of the Budapest has plummetted. (Ok, it was never that popular to begin with.) Since 1990, White has scored an impressive 60% when both players were rated over 2300 FIDE. (40% White, 40% draws, 20% Black)
On White's Fourth Move (against 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.de5 Ng4): White has played every possible e-push, including e5-e6! His most popular response is 4.Nf3, with 4.Bf4 coming in second.
The line that Udav suggests is indeed fresh.
Looking just at the line he provided without suggesting any earlier improvements for White:
Quote:After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe Ng4 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Nd2 Qe7 7.e3 Ngxe5 8.Nxe5 Nxe5 9.Be2 how do you like the idea not to castle short,but to play an agressive 0-0-0 for an attak on the KS. E.g. 9...d6 10.0-0 Bd7!?
a 11.a3 Bxd2 12. Qxd2 0-0-0
b 11.Ng3 (sic) 0-0-0
I don't like 11.a3 as it seems a waste of time here.
11.Ng3 is impossible.
I prefer 11.Nf3 and if 0-0-0, Black is at least a pawn down after: 12.a3! (Now it has a point!) Nxf3+ (This has to be played sooner or later. It will probably transpose to 12...Bc5 lines) 13.Bxf3 Bc5 14.b4 Bb6 15.a4 and White wins in overwhelming fashion.
Black's problem in this line is that he has targets on the Q-side that can be attacked instantly while Black's king-side attack is many moves away from being a threat.
Black can play better than to castle queenside immediately, but the B on b4 will still be a problem piece. This is probably why the best players who have tried this defense castle kingside.
11.Nf3 is of course also possible Ng6 12.Bg3 0-0 Here White will have to play on the QS ,but if white will push too hard and will not prepare this attak properly,there is also the counterblow a5 with counterplay.There are also other ideas for black as playing on the KS and in the centre.
It is very interessting that I had seven times the position as black until move eleven and my oponents at the level of about 2100 Elo
had choose five times 11.a3 and two times 11. Ng3 ,so I didnt look at othe posiiblities.
But anyhow it would be interessting to see how games might develop after
a 11.a3 Bxd2 12. Qxd2 0-0-0
b 11.Ng3 (sic) 0-0-0
I have never played 0-0-0 here,because it seemed to me too dangerous,but a few weeks ago I analyzed a game with 11.a3 and analyzed a little bit 0-0-0 and it looks like black has really good chances for a successfull attak.But I am not sure,yet.