I recently had to improvise something against the Blackmar-Diemar. The game started 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 ( so I'm thinking about how to play in the Veresov), but now 3. e4 (If I had thought that this was likely I would have considered playing 1. ..d5). As I don't play the French, then 3. .. dxe4 and now the expected 4. f3. I don't have a high opinion of this move, blocking the square for the Knight at g1 and the Queen at d1 ought to give Black chances. So 4. .. c5. 5. d5 isn't forced, but seems a reasonable try. Black can take on f3 and then play either 6. .. g6 or even 6. ..a6.

The position remains difficult, but Black has an extra pawn and dangerous attacking lines with Bc4 are less possible.