kylemeister wrote on 09/09/09 at 04:50:39:
Well, 4...Bd7 gets a column in ECO, still something of a standard general reference. (The one-volume Small ECO relegates it to a note.)
As for 4...g6 leaving White "a very pleasant game," it's my impression that it (like some of Black's other moves) is generally considered as leading to equality with best play.
thanks for that tid bit i'll check ECO.
I'm under the impression the 4... g6 5. 0-0 Bg7 6. Re1 gives a very nice edge to white. ... 0-0 Bf1
Bibs wrote on 09/09/09 at 09:30:21:
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.
My post was not meant to be rude or "unpolite" but that might be hard to see since its an internet forum which means no body language or tone of voice goes with the post.
Also not following Soltis or Basman religiously but Basman did create this system. Do you have more uptodate sources than these two?
Markovich wrote on 09/09/09 at 16:51:30:
Funny this should come up, because I'm playing in an informal CC round robin thematic against some moderately strong players in precisely this line. 4...g6 was my choice and I believe that Black is perfectly OK there. I don't know what's so freaking pleasant about White's game.
Four of my opponents tried 4...Nc6 and in each case it went 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 Qa5+ 7.Nc3 Nxe4 8.d5 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Ne5 10.Nxe5 Qxc3+ 11.Bd2 Qxe5 12.0-0. I could see how a machine would dupe someone into playing this way, but it amazed me that four of these guys all went in for this, which to me seems much too dangerous. In any case, one lost on a blunder and the other three are gradually losing after 12...a6 13.Be3. In general White invades along the c-file, just like taking candy from a baby.
A great many other of my games in this line have led to a rather closed position with both sides having pawns on K4,Q3 and QB4, where Black can hardly be much worse. I did face 4...Bd7 once and as I recall Black's game is O.K. there as well.
I suppose I agree that White's position is flexible, but I would never play this way because it just doesn't do anything to challenge Black. I wouldn't play this way unless I thought someone would try to win those two pawns after 4...Nc6 5.d4, anyhow.
Where are you playing this thematic? Is there another one being offerred? I would join if there is!
I believe the gambit is bad for black at least certainly with 9... Ne5 but 9... Nd8 seems playable for black if any of the NIC Yearbook holds up with 10. 0-0 e5 dxe5 Nxe6.