TalJechin wrote on 05/11/14 at 11:07:46:



There doesn't seem to be much to choose between the two moves. Having the Rook on a2 avoids the idea Nb8-c6-a5-b3 gaining a tempo.

Engines seem uncertain whether to immediately take the e4 pawn or play e6 and develop. Equally they aren't sure whether White should defend e4 or give it up, again for development. They give the initial idea as around a half pawn advantage for White. This contrasts with the quarter pawn they give for ideas like the Budapest, Albin or Hennig-Shara. As the Hammer game shows, it seems easy for White to lose his advantage.

If the idea does work, I would presume it relies on the counter attack on the e4 pawn, so the sacrifice of the Exchange isn't going to be any good against 3. e3 or 3. Nf3 .

There's a remarkable game by the French GM Edouard from the 4NCL last weekend. Against Jon Hammer, he took the pawn on c4 and then defended it with an immediate b5. That's something we all learned years ago doesn't work because White will play a4 and Nc3 and win the b5 pawn because of the pin on the a file. The Hammer game may demonstrate that Black can fall for this trick with impunity sacrificing the exchange by retaking on b5 and following up with Bb7. Luke McShane played a similar idea against Aronian in the Tal memorial a couple of years ago. That one was more complex as it was a Slav with White playing Bg5.

The game