Ametanoitos wrote on 02/18/12 at 21:44:27:


Someone should write a book on 3...c5.

Janjgava in "The Queen`s Gambit & Catalan for Black" prefers also 3...Be7.

I use the book by Cox as second source fpr ideas and good collection of annoted games. I know that Cox has written a very good book about the Berlin Defense but my problem with his book about the Queens Gambit is that he never played this systems according to my database (in contrast to Janjgava). 

His variations against the Exchange are good for a draw but when you play the Queens Gambit with the option of a win 3...Be7 is much better.

My impression is that the Exchange gives White an "inbuilt" advantage. Just look at the statistics - almost everywhere White scores 60+ %. I very much like to play it with White.

It might be a psychological problem - in a certain way Black has to wait for White's setup to unfold, before he can start any counter measures. Of course, it's not a forced loss - against my favourite line with Nge2 and f3, Black can build a very solid position with Be6 and Rc8, but even there it seems to me that it's White who maintains a not very strong, but durable initiative.

So, as a summary, I think avoiding the Exchange gives Black an easier life.

Best regards,

Zwischenzugzwang