H'mm -- interesting. I can see that Black could easily be done over by White's flexibility if he isn't careful. Anyone got thoughts on this? My first thought is to try to make 11 ...f5 work if poss.

Markovich wrote on 03/03/09 at 02:33:22:


4.a3 is a sensible system, but as stated in another thread, 4...d6 5.Nc3 g6 is best, and should offer Black equality with best play. This was Palliser's evaluation in his book 'Tango!' from 2005; compared to a 'normal' KID, White has the extra move a3, but the extra move ...e6 gives Black some extra options without ...e5.

analyzethat wrote on 02/14/09 at 02:29:04:


1. Only if White avoids the transposition to the Zurich Variation with 3.Nf3 e6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Qc2. So against an advocate of the Classical NID as White, the Tango is not a good idea. 

2. They will have a system prepared for the Tango, but if you study it properly, you will be more familiar with the opening and probably the typical middlegames than your opponents.

3. Definitely the Zurich Variation. White has several ways to obtain a slight edge, namely with 6.Bd2 and 6.Bg5. 

4. Stick with 3...e6. Moves such as 3...d5?! are a case of 'the cure is worse than the disease'. 3...d5 is likely to transpose to the dubious 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6?! variation of the Chigorin. 

There was a thread about 3...d6 not very long ago, but there I convincingly showed how White can secure a slight but very stable advantage. However, if your opponents are not familiar with 3...d6 then you will probably get away with it.   

Thank you, I looked at these threads before I posted it but I wished to start the conversation again.

The other threads do not answer for example question 1 o 2 in my opinion.

I am thinking about playing the 2 knights tango and have a few questions:

1.Is it any good objectively?
2.How well do white players know this opening (for example someone with a rating of 2100).
3.Which are the most problematic variations for black do you think?

4.Personally I feel 3.Nf3 is annoying. 3...e6 or 3...d6 or perhaps even 3...d5. Is there any move that is objectively best?



Thanks in advance!