Incidentally 5. Nf3 was given by Taimanov as unclear in the first edition of ECO, some years before Keene's repertoire book.  It could transpose to 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dc 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e4, which has long been considered respectable for White.

I think we can all agree that 3.Nc3 isn't going to refute the QGA and is, in fact, one of White's lesser tries.  But IMHO its a perfectly fine developing move and fully playable for White at club level.   

The line cited above with 3..a6 is frequently given as a reason not to play 3.Nc3, but there is no reason for White to play in such a horrid way.  

First, after 3..a6, White's best response is 4.e3!.  Now if Black insists on 4..b5, White gets dangerous gambit play in which he has good comp.  It's worth noting that Rizzitano recommends playing 4..Nf6 5.Bxc4 e6 6.Nf3 c5 7.0-0 transposing into classical lines where White has played an early Nc3.  An early Nc3 isn't considered White's most testing choice in the classical, but it is a move that's been played by strong GMs and it certainly isn't bad.  Equal positions tend to result where both sides have chances.  As we say, "it's a game."    

Second, if White wants to play 4.e4, then after 4.. b5 he needs to play Keene's suggestion of 5.Nf3 instead of 5.a4.  Most books don't even consider this; Rizzitano, for example, ignores it.  Keene was somewhat dismissive of his own idea, but after 5.Nf3 Bb7 (does Black have better here?) 6.a4 b4 7.Bxc4! e6 play transposes into a side line of the 3.Nf3 a6 variation that is considered "unclear" by ECO.  See the game Pedersen-Sadler, Cannes 1995.  

 

agropop wrote on 05/28/10 at 09:23:28:


Agreed. If you insist on an early Nc3, play 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3.

Thanks Lee. That was very helpful.

I posted this when I was frustrated. I should have just pulled out my MCO and started studying. Sorry for wasting your time and mine. Still, thanks for the general advice and advice on which line to try, that gives me a starting place to study.

up and comer wrote on 05/21/10 at 06:51:51:


You're getting slaughted as White?  The problem is not in your choice of systems, but in your understanding of general principles.  

If someone just asked me what White's best treatment was, I would say it was 3.e4.  It also happens to be well suited to lower rated players.  If you can't play 3.e4 well, changing lines isn't going to help you.  Instead you're going to have to buckle down, play more chess, and put in more time studying basic opening principles.  

P.S.  Good comments from Alias.

up and comer wrote on 05/25/10 at 08:43:45:


Don't just try moves. Have a look at the lines properly. Check some general opening book, like NCO, FCO or similar. Look up games. Try to find games with comments. There are of course specialised books on QGA, but that might be overkill. 

I'm also certain that you can find the errors that you made by comparing your moves to book moves or by checking with a decent program.

e3 is a moved played in many closed openings, QGA, slav, NID et c. You don't "trap" your bishop.

Girkassa wrote on 05/24/10 at 08:08:01:


Yes 7.Bb3 is the fashion's move but 7.a4 is my favorit too.
It's a strategic move, the main idea is to play against the Bishop c8.
I remember a game between kramnik and kasparov 2000 . Garry was lucky in this one!