brabo wrote on 12/19/12 at 11:00:14:
I know that the stonewall isn't in your repertoire, MNb
That's irrelevant for my argument. I plan to play the Rubinstein as White iso transposing to the French after 1.d4 e6, so I'll have to face the Stonewall.
brabo wrote on 12/19/12 at 11:00:14:
but one of the mainideas of 4.Qc2 is to avoid the stonewall as Bf4/Bg5 is still possible which isn't anymore after 4.e3.
Which isn't anymore after 4.Qc2 Be7 5.e3 either ...
brabo wrote on 12/19/12 at 11:00:14:
White wants to keep maximum flexibility with the bishop
... so the maximum flexibility White is aiming for is not that flexible.
brabo wrote on 12/19/12 at 11:00:14:
and pays a small price for it by putting the queen (too) early on c2.
I think you underestimate that price. I have played the IZ setup for 12 years against everything (many of my otb opponents actually played the Rubinstein) and imo Black's chances increase significantly if White puts the Queen on c2 because of the reason I gave above.
brabo wrote on 12/19/12 at 11:00:14:
I also indicated in my analysis that 4.Qc2 threatens to play e4 in one step instead of two steps.
White might benefit after 4.Qc2 b6 indeed, though I'm not sure.
brabo wrote on 12/19/12 at 11:00:14:
Some pretty strong players play 4.Qc2 today so it has certainly some value
I didn't argue that 4.Qc2 is without value...
brabo wrote on 12/19/12 at 11:00:14:
and is maybe not even worse than 4.e3.
... but I need quite some more before I'm convinced that it is as good as 4.e3, let alone superior.
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Classical Stonewall with Nc3 (Read 22984 times)
