MNb wrote on 04/12/07 at 07:43:37:
Well, I am pretty sure, 6...a6 is not the best move in this game.
You got my point in any case
Quote:You are right, that this line also can arise via the Evans: 4.b4 Bb6 5.a4 a6 (but Black has a5 6.b5 Nd4) 6.c3 Nf6 7.d3. Results have generally not been that encouraging for White.
Well it isnt that bad either. But my point mainly was to show that the a4-b4 plan is definately an option iso standard ruy play.
Quote:I don't agree with that remark on Bg5. It is simple: if Black has castled, Bg5 is quite strong. If not, Black will answer with ...h6 and evt. g5, grabbing the initiative on the king's wing. So Black must delay castling (d6, Ba7) until White has played Nbd2. Eventually Black can play ...Bg4.
If White tries to be clever, like 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 a6 6.Bb3 d6 7.h3 (7.0-0 Ba7 evt. 8...Bg4) Ba7 8.0-0, then h6 plan Qe7 and g5 is attractive. So White cannot avoid the early Nbd2 without making a concession.
Trust me on this one
With some exceptions after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 the move Bg5 by white is usually not the best (I wouldnt call it a bad move, just a bad idea). The thing is that after h6 (with or without black castling), you would either have to
-retreat after which h6 is definately not a weakening
-exchange after which you lose the bishop pair and free black's play (or open a g-file on your own king)
-play Bh4 after which g5 is always in the air (which allows some nasty options such as h5-h4, Nh5-f4 or f5). Even when black has castled and white hasnt, this can be very dangerous.
The problem is that the knight isnt on c3 (the worst piece in the d3 italian imo) allowing a jump to d5.