I do not play this line as black however my opinion for what little it is worth is:
7.Bd3......c4 (this is what you recomend in your notes) 8.Bc2...Ne7
9.h4 ! this is my plan the center is completely locked so castling isnt necissary I may follow with h5/h6 or maybe even Rh3/to g3 manuever and a massive kingside attack.
I personally prefer whites position I think it is easier to play
Thanks, I'll look in to that.
For me, ...a5 is pointless because I play ...f6 immediately against a3, when white doesn't get much time to play b4. Well actually I play 5...Bd7 not 5...Qb6 so it might be a little different.
Badump.
Sorry no idea, but white doesn't look that bad. I think Bd3 or Be2 (Be2 if you want to be safer) would be the best, and get you castled.
Does anyone know a mainline/plan for white after A5?
Just do what you normally do. In all the a3 lines in my book (including 5...Qb6) white doesn't even get time to play b4 anyways. Just overprotect your center since sooner or later black is going to play ...f6 or try to play ...Nf5.
Here's another fun plan for black involving a5!
Anybody else?
cool ill try it
Sorry nobody else, however hopeful you are when you click the "1 new comment" place =D.
Infact, ill give you some facts about it. Run it through an engine? i don't have one, never bothered, but if some1 will run it through an engine, that'll be ok. Chances are you won't meet that stage anyway.
Bd3 is my best bet, odd looking as it is, controlling a useless diagonal, it just lets you castle, and you can easily move it back to c2 and to a4 if ever needed (not likely at all).
I always play the advanced variation when I face the French because it's what I've always played. I've never really felt comfortable playing against the French, but I can generally get through the opening unscathed by playing a line like this.