Normal Topic Black response to NID 4.Qc2 (Read 2399 times)
BPaulsen
God Member
*****
Offline


I Love Light Squares!

Posts: 1702
Location: Anaheim, CA, USA
Joined: 11/02/08
Gender: Male
Re: Black response to NID 4.Qc2
Reply #2 - 06/06/09 at 05:40:28
Post Tools
The only variation I plainly don't like is 4...c5. I feel white has a small advantage there he doesn't get in other lines.

I don't care for 4...Nc6 either, for similar reasons, but I do feel it is slightly better than 4...c5.

I think black's best winning try is 4...d5, but I'm not sure he's equalizing in all lines. This is my weapon of choice in tournament play, but I wouldn't take it into a match, if that makes any sense.

4...0-0 is likely best from an objective point of view.

5. a3 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 b6 is the main line that is considered pretty much equal. However, I like 6...d6.

The easiest one to learn is 6...b5!? (I don't know its theoretical status, however)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b5!? 7. cxb5 c6 8. Bg5 cxb5 9. e3 Bb7 10. Nf3 a6 (eventually 1/2-1/2 in Bareev-Anand, Monte Carlo 2005). Black's play comes very easy, and his control on the light squares grants him an easy equality.

I'm pretty sure the problem with 6...b5 is 8. Qd3!, where an interesting try is 8...Qb6!? If black solves the 8. Qd3 problem then 6...b5 would be a great, active choice.
  

2288 USCF, 2186 FIDE.

FIDE based on just 27 games.
Back to top
YIMAIM  
IP Logged
 
TN
God Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 3420
Joined: 11/07/08
Gender: Male
Re: Black response to NID 4.Qc2
Reply #1 - 06/05/09 at 23:14:51
Post Tools
The most objective answer would be that it is simply a matter of taste, although 4...0-0 is the most popular at the elite level.

If I had to give a recommendation, I would recommend either 4...d5, meeting 5.cd5 with the Romanishin and 5.a3 with 5...Bc3 6.Qc3 c5, or 4...0-0 5.a3 Bc3 6.Qc3 Ne4, both of which are fairly easy to learn and not very difficult to play.

For a more positional player, I would recommend the Macieja variation (4...c5 5.dc5 0-0 6.a3 Bc5 7.Nf3 b6), or 4...0-0 5.a3 Bc3 6.Qc3 b6 if Black is content with a draw.
  

All our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
bckm
Junior Member
**
Offline


Start the day with a smile
and get it over with...

Posts: 69
Location: Los Angeles
Joined: 05/08/03
Black response to NID 4.Qc2
06/05/09 at 22:30:39
Post Tools
This is probably on dozens of posts here, but for some reason I can't seem to find it.  I'd like opinions on the best, or most active, answer to the NID Classical 4.Qc2 line.  The Easy Guide to the NID (I think that's the title) recommended 4...00.  I see lots of 4...d5 games, and my teacher recommended 4...c5 and ...Na6, precisely because it's supposed to be "less than perfect" so it might not be subject to the almost hourly theory upgrades and revisions of other lines.

Your opinions are appreciated. 

Thanks!  Smiley
Smiley
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Bookmarks: del.icio.us Digg Facebook Google Google+ Linked in reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Yahoo