Zatara wrote on 06/06/08 at 06:09:57:


yes.

Daniel wrote on 04/02/10 at 13:47:11:


Doesn't this just lead to a slightly inferior KIA after 3...Nf6 4.Qe2 (4.ed5 Nd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 is slightly better for Black) 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 e5 6.g3 Be7 7.Bg2 0-0, when White has equality at best. Alternatively, 5...Bg4 is also possible, although then 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.e5 Nd7 9.Bg2 justifies White's play although the position is still balanced.

3.ed5 Qd5 4.Nf3!? with the intention of 4...e5 5.Bc4 looks like White's best chance. Instead 4...Bg4 5.Nb5 leads to interesting play and 4...Nc6 5.Bc4 Qd8 (5...Qh5 6.Nb5!) 6.0-0 Nf6 7.Re1 and while the position has to be objectively equal, I think White has slightly easier play.

I checked the position after 3...d5 with Firebird and interesting it also recommends 4.Nf3 and even claims White has a slight advantage. It would be foolish to blindly trust the computer this early in the game but it does mean 4.Nf3 deserves attention.

Hmmm...TonyRo your Nc4 move is okay I guess. I Have played this line in serious tournament  games and play Nb5 in that position so as to gain a tempo  due to Nc7+.  Then play d4 to open the position at some point.  THe great thing about this line, in my opinion, is that the game really just comes down to who is the better chess player.   

Objectively the game is equal as soon as Na3 is played.

It can't be called 'junk', because white is not worse. It's just a line designed to cut out all theory pretty much, and not 'care' too much about getting a theoretical edge. 

It combines ideas of Grand Prix (quick Bb5 often comes), c3 sicilian (c3 intending d4 is fairly common) and the closed (g3 & Bg2 is played against black setups which target e4 quickly). So for someone who doesn't want to play mainline sicilians, and has messed around with various anti sicilians, it's a useful option to have & use occasionally.

The GP does not work either if both sides don't make positional errors or tactical oversights.

surely it is not as threatening as the main lines such as c3 and closed

if the idea is to reroute to c4, then surely at this time c3 is a better square  and requires less tempo loss.

like 3f3 in the caro kann. good against those who have never seen it but not a line to play against a good player

2.Na3 is not utter rubbish, but objectively it is harmless. However, you should buy "1.e4 for the Creative Attacker", which tells you just about everything you need to know to play the variation as White. 

Btw, your repetitive question "is it better than the Grand Prix" or "is the Grand Prix better" is becoming a bit of a cliche, at least on this forum.