SWJediknight wrote on 05/13/09 at 19:37:02:
But at the other end we have the scornful dismissal, like Uruk's "dismiss anything that isn't above = level" stuff.
It seems you misunderstood my phrase, let me explain.
The central problem of opening theory is,
does a line exist that gives White a definite edge,
or Black can ultimately equalize ?
For example, bragesjo's project "Drawing with the Dragon"
is a tentative answer to that question.
To analyse lines that give White = at best does not contribute to an answer.
This is not scornful, only logical.
That said, it could be interesting to show that 1.d4 d5 2.e4 is worse than =
and that's what I claim to have shown.
But keep in mind that is really a secondary question for opening theory.
Smyslov_Fan wrote on 05/13/09 at 22:20:48:
a game in which champions of White and Black have an open discussion of the variation is an excellent way to delve into the intricacies of an opening.
I agree.
SWJediknight wrote on 05/13/09 at 19:37:02:
After 5...Bf5 I suggested 6.Bd3 earlier, as Stefan Buecker mentioned in the other thread. It gives White an extra tempo on a non-critical line of the Soller Gambit (Black hasn't played ...c6) and might give enough compensation.
Quote:Black better takes on d3: 6...Bxd3 (6...Bg6 7.Bxg6 hxg6 8.Qe2 gives White an attractive position) 7.Qxd3 c6 8.Bf4 e6 9.0-0-0, for example 9...Bd6 (9...Be7 10.h4) 10.Be5 Bc7 (10...Be7!? 11.Ne4) 11.Ne4 Bxe5 12.dxe5 Qxd3 13.Nxf6+ gxf6 14.Rxd3 f5 (14...Nd7 15.exf6 Rg8 16.g3 Nxf6 17.Ne5 Nd5 18.c4 Nb6 19.Rf1 Rg7 20.Rdf3 f5 21.g4) 15.Rhd1 Ke7 16.g3 and White has sufficient compensation for the pawn.
Like I said, I find 6.Bd3 more logical than 6.Ne5
White develops quickly to bring rooks for central pressure.
My first reaction would be 6...Bg6