trw wrote on 09/09/09 at 02:41:35:


As the white squared bishop is the one piece that has options on where it can move, I would say that committing to Be2 wasn't flexible. But as White, can take such luxuries.
What can be gained by playing 3.Be2 instead of 3.c3?

trw wrote on 09/09/09 at 02:41:35:


Point 1: 
a)White has a pleasant game, so does black. Dearie me. It is move 4 and people are trying to solve chess again.
Be2 is a valid sytem, certainly. So is the sicilian. Both sides can fight.
b) Neither Basman nor Soltis very up-to-date. Best not follow religiously.

Point 2:
a) Perhaps as a moderator you may like to be more polite.
b) 'Flexible' does not necessarily equate to advantageous. Unless you are competing in the World OwnFootLicking contest.

kylemeister wrote on 09/08/09 at 16:49:19:


Curious but where are you getting that "Bd7" is book here? Its been played before yes but rarely. I notice adams played against twice achieving draws in both games (against Gelfand and Kasparov).

4... g6 leaves white a very pleasant game according to Basman and Soltis. But neither source mentions 4... Bd7

TonyRo wrote on 09/08/09 at 17:37:34:



Your post makes no sense. If white has no advantage after such a flexible move then white never has an advantage. The whole point of Be2 is how flexible it is for white.

I am not saying that this is the case, but judging by the way you worded your original post, it seems as though you think White should gain an edge in this line. Just out of curiousity, what makes you think that White should have something tangible after 3. Be2, which just looks to be an inflexible, premature development of a piece that probably shouldn't be moved yet? White is White sure, but White has to play actively and logically to stay White! 

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Be2 Nf6 4. c3 

the point is obvious that 4... Nxe4?? losses to Qa4+ so black is supposed to continue 4... Nc6 to close the diagonal and is now threatening Nxe4

but I had someone play 4.... Bd7 against me and there doesn't seem to be a clear way for white to get an edge or attack after that... I tried 5. e5 and considered 5. Qb3  and the standard reply is supposed to be 5. d3 which is so slow and defeats the whole point of this opening to play d4 in one shot....
Qc2 has been played before but then Qc7 still prevents d4 so white has to castle anyways.

suggestions?