Hi.
Quote:What is White's best way to play in this line?
It remains to be seen.
JEH wrote on 12/27/15 at 19:57:46:
It seems to me that part of Negi's strategy is to provoke c4. See the note at the bottom of p243 where he gives 10. ...c4?!
It seems with the d and b pawns exhchanged White might have a superior version of the Karjarkin-Nikolic game noted in line A21, and so should get on with a route 1 plan of h4/h5/g4! pawn avalanche!
In a related line Negi provokes c4 at one point by going.
(1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Qa5 7.Bd2 Qa4 8.Qg4 Kf8 9.Qd1 Nc6 10.Qb1) With 10.Qb1 being the provocation.
In the line in question
(1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Qa5 7.Bd2 Qa4 8.Qg4 Kf8 9.Qd1 b6 10.dxc5 bxc5 11.Nf3)
One can argue that 11.Nf3 likely enhances the effect of a coming c3-c4 giving black more incentive to consider preventing this possibility with c5-c4.
I think generally black does not mind the dxc5, bxc5 exchange that much. White's position is slightly less stable afterwards and in the long the term the open b-line might yield black chances for counterplay. The drawback is that the exchange further weakens black's already weak dark squares and somewhat opens up the game for white's uncontested dark squared bishop.
JEH wrote on 12/27/15 at 19:57:46:
And what plan does Black have?
Head for the hills on the Queenside where the b-file and the a7-g1 diaganol has been opened up?
The plan is nothing fancy. Just to develop and stay solid.
Quote:Yes, I guess. Also maybe because ...c4 looks anti-positional many players won't play it against me. I just thought it was good because the engine recommended it and I wasn't able to find a way to progress against its suggestions.
I think you're right that you won't face it that often. It's an ugly move. Still it is not at all easy to find any good plan against it.
Some analysis, where I've tried to find some kind of edge:
Have a nice day.