CanadianClub wrote on 06/03/22 at 08:26:06:

Free is always good!

I had no intention of memorizing the long line that I provided. I simply want to get a sense of the kind of play that ensues. Also I want to know if a line is good or bad.

It seems my thinking changes with every analysis session. Looking again, after:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4!? 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4! c5!? 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Bxd7+ Nxd7 13. O-O O-O-O 14. Rb1 Ne5, I see that white can press with 15. Qc1!? intending Qf4 or Qh6. Not case closed, but certainly something to consider.

As mentioned before, Black usually plays 13...a6. Then 14. Rb1 Qc7. Panczyk and Ilczuk, Queen's Gambit Declined: Vienna, cover seven 15th moves for white. The two major moves are 15Qh5 and 15Qd2. They are somewhat pessimistic about Black's chances following 15Qd2. However I think Black can improve. If not, there are many opportunities to vary play earlier.

I've been analyzing the Vienna/Ragozin complex from the black side recently. The search for something simple and easy still eludes me. Maybe I have the wrong opening!

The lines are complicated. The historic main mainline features doubled f pawns for black similar to many lines of the Richter-Rauzer Sicilian. It's kind of hard for black to play that in either opening, but there can be rewards.

GM Tan analyzes the game Lagrave-Aronian in his latest article for ChessPublishing. Lagrave goes for a sideline. It is very hard to take Aronian by surprise in this opening, which he has played many times. Lagrave resigned after Aronian's 25th move.

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4

"7... h6 8. Bxf6 Qxf6 has been the modern interpretation of the line. There is nothing wrong with the old main line, but perhaps it requires more brute force memorisation," GM Tan. 7...h6 is recommended by GM Kuljasevic as a second line in his Ragozin repertoire at Modern-Chess.

8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+

White also has 10.Nb5 and 10Bxf6, but 10Bb5ch is the main line and I think it is the most dangerous. Pert pretty much neutralizes Bb5ch with 8...Qa5. However, white can answer 8...Qa5 with 9Bd2, also leading to interesting play.

At this point, Lagrave-Aronian continue with the main move 10...Nbd7. I prefer to play a known alternative 10...Bd7

10...Bd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6

An earlier ChessPub article states: "Usually White prefers to develop his queen first by 12Qb3 and so on."

12. Bxd7+

"This simple approach is not very popular but perhaps it's a bit underestimated."

12...Nxd7 13. O-O

Black has tried many moves. However, 13...a6 is clearly the main move. As far as I know 13...0-0-0 has only been played in one game. Pechac-Pacher are two strong Slovakian players and their 2019 game ended in a draw.

13...O-O-O 14. Rb1 Ne5 (14...a6 was played). The game remains complicated and can proceed in various directions. Here is one long sample line:

15. Rb4 (15Rb5 Qxb5 =) Rd6 16. Qh5 a6 17. Qh4 Rhd8 18. Qf6 Nd3 19. Rc4 Kb8 20. a4! (White can easily go astray on move 20) e5 21. Qf3 Nc5 22. Qh5 ed4 23. Rc5 Qa4 24. cd4 Qd4 and the game remains about equal.

On the Vienna: It might be worth to get a one month membership for C24 and check Gustafssons Vienna Series out. He is definately one of the better theoreticians out there and seems to cover

5.e3 6.Bxc4 
5.e3 6.a4
5.Bg5
5.Qa4+

I only checked the chapter names, I can't judge the quality. 



For Chessable: Short and Sweet to purchasable products is quite a big leap. I own Giris French Repertoire and while the purchased product is a lot deeper, the short and sweet shows the intentions of the author pretty well. 

f.e. in the advance Variation he plays 5...Qb6 (instead of 5...Bd7), which i didnt like but after i saw how he handels the tarrasch and sidelines like KIA I decided to go for it (and might switch to the Winawer )

I hope I could help you

Clarification:  Chessable Short and Sweet products are free - for those who have purchased a Pro membership!