MNb wrote on 11/01/09 at 12:27:44:

Well I think that d5 and Bc5 in general dont really match together when d4 hasnt been played. I think it may have to do that when d5 and Bc5 are both played, white can play d4 with gain of tempo and then e5 is loose or alternatively white can gain space on the q-side. With the bishop on e7 and then d5 (in one go) white still can play for d4 but then he doesnt win a tempo and for some reason e5 being lose isnt a problem. I guess it may have to with the ability to play e5-e4 or that the tempo not lost is just enough to square the center. Ie in the Ruy lines where Bc5 is played the pawn goes to d6 and I think the Marshall would be unplayable with a bishop on c5.
The few times Bc5 and d5 are good is when black has gained just enough time to kill the center, such as in teh main line Giuoco where black doesnt lose a real tempo due to Bb4+

As far as I know the expansion on the queenside with b4 and a4 is considered harmless these days and a Black setup with ...d6 instead of d5 equalizes.

I agree with MNB that 4...Be7 with the ideas mentioned is also good.

13.Ne5 has already been played before in the game Shanava-Lyell, EU-ch 2007 which White won. I do not see a real improvement for Black.

I you like an early ...d5 maybe you should wait until White has played c3: 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 0-0 6.0-0 d5!?. This looks like a better version of the same idea.