Thanks for this! Actually I have Keith's Krap bookmarked, but foolishly didn't consult it before I posted, and now I see he actually has a whole section on ...e6 defences! Look forward to playing through games (incl. yours). Incidentally, I also found your post on NLA setups on some Queen's Gambit thread or other -- forget which -- useful/interesting.

I’m contemplating including Bird’s Opening in my repertoire and have been looking at the Classical lines 1 f4 d5 2 Nf3 g6 3 e3 and 2 …Nf6 3 e3. Though I’ve only got Taylor’s book and not Ivanov’s two pamphlets I’m more or less clear about the two main lines, (1) 2 …g6 3 e3 Bg7 4 Be2 Nf6 5 0-0 0-0 6 d3 c5 and (2) 2 …Nf6 3 e3 Bg4 4 h3 (or 4 Be2). I’m a bit puzzled, though, by the three most important(?) independent options for Black here (please let me know if I’m wrong or if there are any more!), namely: (3) 2 …g6 3 e3 Bg7 4 Be2 Nh6!? (Rogers-Ward), (4) 2 …Nf6 3 e3 c5, and (5) 2 …Nf6 3 e3 e6!?, none of which is really covered in Taylor’s very useful, but rather omissive, book.

I’ve seen Rogers-Ward described as both promising and dangerous for Black, and don’t know which to believe! It’s the strategic complications of the Nimzo-Larsen-related variations which puzzle me most, however. (4) above can be met by 4 Be2 trying to transpose into (1), but Black has 4 …Nc6 and 4 …e6 as well as 4 …g6. Also there’s 4 b3 g6 (I assume 4 …Nc6 5 Bb5 is inferior) 5 Bb2 Bg7 6 Bb5 Bd7 7 a4!?, and even 4 Bb5 Bd7 5 Bd7 when I guess White could go for a plan with c4, Nc3 and Qe2 (though it might not be too dangerous?). Similar plans are available in (5), e.g. 4 b3 c5 5 Bb2 Be7 6 Bb5 Bd7 7 a4, but there’s also the wild attacking line 6 Ne5!? 0-0 6 Bd3, which I understand is meant to be unclear.

I’d be really grateful if anyone could tell me more about the status of these lines. Black’s 3 …e6 setup might look passive but if it leads to a good Nimzo-Larsen through …Nc6 being delayed one might ask what White has got!? Also, the question arises as to whether White’s Bb5/a2-a4 plan is stronger after …g6 or …e6 (and whether it has real sting in either case).