After 3...f5 probably yes because of 4.Qc2 plan 5.e3, 6.Bd3, 7.Ne2.
After 3...Bxc3+ 4.bxc3 f5 I dispute your evaluation, no matter if White plays a kingside fianchetto or not. A sample line is 5.e3 (developing the bishop to f4 or g5 does not promise anything either) Nf6 6.Bd3 0-0 and Black tries to play an improved version of the NID-Hübner Defence.
White's best chance is to play an early c4-c5 before Black can blockade it. Both Marshall-Leonhardt, San Sebastian 1912 and Bellon Lopez-Simon Padros, Calvia 2006 were won by White. Black's play can easily be improved though (why such an early ...Ne4 ?) So 3...c5 makes sense.

dmp4373 wrote on 12/21/09 at 07:00:45:


I suggest using ECO and the Informants. I don't recall any YB surveys on this line although you should search on the NIC website for details.

I believe that 3...f5, 3...Ne7 and even 3...Bc3!? all offer counterplay, although I think White should be a little better after 3...Bc3 and 3...f5. After 3...c5, 4.d5 has to be critical but then Black has a good version of the Snake Benoni with the bishop actively deployed on b4.

I have a DVD by Nigel Davies called '1... e6: A Solid Repertoire' It's designed to not only be solid, but to also cut down on the theory a player needs to learn.

Against 1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+ 3.Nc3 he recommends 3... c5 and avoiding playing the knight to g6 with a transposition into the Nimzo. Instead the knight will go to e7. Black's aim is to attack the center with ... d6 and ... e5. Davies says it's very solid, but aside from himself, only knows of one other titled player that plays it.

Does anyone know of where to find aditional material on this opening? I've looked everywhere and found nothing. Not even on this forum.