TN wrote on 03/10/15 at 07:18:18:

Then 4.e3 gives a Rubinstein Variation in which Black already has played ...d5. That's inconvenient if Black rather plays the Hübner.

CanadianClub wrote on 03/11/15 at 08:31:13:



I agree. I only like to add the Nd2 is an ambitious mainline  but most white books and players preferces Bd2.

CanadianClub wrote on 03/10/15 at 09:15:11:


I was condering playing the Bogo-Indian but I don't really understand the point of 3...Bb4+ when White just plays Nbd2. At some point White will play a3 and trade his knight for black's bishop.

Nimzo + Ragozin is a good combo. In fact, some Qc2 Nimzo can even transpose to Ragozin lines. Barsky book on the Ragozin is wonderfull.

If you like positional play, Bogo-Indian is a good option also. Easy to study (very few lines to check) and interesting positions arising. My opinion on that opening is that white players don't understand so much that kind of positions; they know better how to play against Benko or Benoni (or even Queens Indian) but not against Bogo... And this is great for me

I don't know if you guys feels the same but I lately I am facing more nimzos than two years before in tournaments. The ratio (3.Nc3) / (3.Nf3) is increasing... Maybe a question of fashion... A lot of 3.g3 by White also, so you have to be prepared to face it.

Salut,

Because 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 is just as exciting, although I'll concede that after 4.g3 you have to take more risks to get the same exciting play (4...dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 is one way to go about it). There's also the Modern Benoni invitation with 3...c5 but it's a fact of chess that if White wants a solid position, there's not a lot you can do about it (though 4.e3 a6 5.Nc3 d5 is hardly boring).