Thanks for your response. I like 7.f5 but not only 7.f5 and it's still not clear to me which move may be objectively best but I am still at the beginning of the study of the position.

About 7.f5 Nd4 8.Ng5 0-0 9.g4 it seems obvious that 9..Nxg4 even without deep analysis. But I imagine that depending of Black's choice you will continue with Bxf7/Nxf7/g5 when your bishop will be targeted, right? That idea is typical with 7.Ng5!? 0-0 8.f5 with idea g4, it may transpose with 7.f5 but Black could also target the Bc4 after 7.f5 before White's Ng5, it's why I think it's interesting to play 7.Ng5 first but there is probably disadvantages too. And the sacrifices on f7 may not be always fully sound but corr games seems to show the dangerosity of that plan even in long term attack.

ArKheiN wrote on 05/20/09 at 09:33:36:


I prefer Bishop's Opening move orders, as they seem more flexible while not allowing a really clear road to equality early on.

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 (3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 Nc6! =) c6 (3...Nf6 4. Nf3 will tranpose to a 4.d3 Two Knights Defense, or Closed Italian Game depending on how black develops his bishop) 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 (Paulsen Variation)

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 (3...Nc6 4. Nf3 with a Two Knights/Closed Italian Game) 4. Nc3 c6 (4...0-0 5. Bg5!, 4...d6 5. Qf3!) 5. Bg5 (or 5. Qf3)

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Nf3 will transpose to a Two Knights/Italian Game

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Nc3 Nf6 (3...Nc6 4. Qg4!) 4. d3 Nc6 5. f4 d6 6. Nf3 (KGD)

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5!? 3. d3 (3. Nf3 transposes to the Latvian) Nf6 (3...Nc6 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. 0-0 d6 6. Nc3 Nf6 is the same thing) 4. Nc3 Bc5 5. Nf3 d6 6. 0-0 Nc6 7. Bg5 is a reversed KGD where the extra tempo helps white.

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6!? 3. d4! (3. Nc3 is good as well)

It's easily a solid repetoire with some chances here and there for black to go astray. The vast majority of the games will all end up Closed Italian Games/Two Knights Defense (which combined might be better than the Paulsen Variation anyway).

White could also put a bigger emphasis on the Vienna Game if he wanted (playing Nc3 whenever black doesn't go in for the Paulsen Variation). He would get more KGDs that way, but he would have to deal with 4...Na5/4...Bb4 which are solid (but arguably both better for white anyway).

Holbox wrote on 05/19/09 at 07:40:58:


4. Nf3 followed by 5. Bb3 has been played in some games, but black is perfectly okay.

In this particular version white's best chance, in my opinion, is to play into Larsen's Qf3/Bg5 ideas. At the minimum white has freer play, and so black is likely better off just playing into the Two Knights Defense, Closed Italian Game, or the Paulsen Variation where his equal chances are undoubted. Admittedly I have a preference for the Closed Italian Game (Bc5 just seems more correct than Be7, and the Paulsen isn't doing so hot in 2500+ play lately).

4.Nf3 and 4.Bb3 would be my answers.  4.Bb3 keeps the position flexible because you can meet ...d5 with Nf3.

The idea behind 4.Bb3 is to keep the f pawn free to advance. Anyway I would wait to castle until que Queen's Knight had reached the King's side, usually via d2,f1 and e3 or g3. 

I have never looked at 5.Qf3 ideas, so I can't help you here. After 4...d6 I would play 5.f4 as White, entering the KGD, which think somewhat better for White (my compatriot Willempie disagrees, but he refuses to buy stuff like the Fascinating King's Gambit). I did not like 4...0-0 too much because of 5.Bg5. Again this idea is known with colours reversed from the Italian, where Black only plays ...Bg4 after White has castled.
I have just consulted my notes on the Bishop's Game with 3...Bc5 4.Nc3 c6. Stubborn guy as I am I have tried a few years ago to make this work for White as well. My main line runs 5.Nf3 (5.Qf3 b5 6.Bb3 a5 7.a3 d6) d6 (d5 6.exd5 cxd5 7.Bb3 as 7.Bb5+ Bd7 is equal - compare Giuoco Piano) 6.a3 0-0 7.Ba2 Nbd7 (Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 9.g4) 8.0-0 Bb6 (Re8?! 9.Ng5! and White will get f2-f4 in) 9.Kh1 h6 (Re8 10.Ng5 Re7 11.f4) and here I could not decide between 10.h3, 10.Ne2 and 10.Nh4. Of course everything is "stolen" from the Giuoco Pianissimo.
Hope this helps a bit.

As 4.Nf3 d6 5.0-0 0-0 6.c3 (6.Nc3 Nc6) c6 is dull symmetry I think 4.Nc3 and only after c6 5.Nf3 White's best chance. Play is like the Giuoco Pianissimo (4.c3 and 5.d3 in the Italian) with colours reversed, so it will still be difficult to prove something tangible. The most ambitious plan later involves Ng5 and f4. Black can anticipate though.