The idea of playing d3 and c3, with a possible d4 later, is certainly not new, and in fact it is a system known as Pseudo-Lopez. I am not sure how Qb3 is a very strong move here since it doesn't really threaten anything much, and allows a timely Na5, exchanging the light-squared Bishop which the idea of Pseudo-Lopez is to keep.
Two Knight's Defense
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There is a little to fear from 4.d3 as black.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 d6 7.Nbd2 Bg4! is much better for black. White will have difficulty playing d4 due to the pin.
I am a little disappointed that popularity has shifted from 4.Ng5 to 4.d3 now. I do enjoy playing a few more Traxlers. In addition, 4.Nc3 has been gaining quite a few followers so I get to sac on e4 more often.
@Atos, that is the point, no one has played Qb3 yet; its aim is very simple: it reinforces the c4 bishop, as well as putting pressure on the b7 and f7 squares. Also, it is a waiting move to play a move like Qa4+ against moves like Na5.
@Conqistador, this is the line against that:
There are other ways where White may gain an advantage but are more complex and rely on where Black moves. The rook for Black is slightly misplaced and White will counter that.
Oh, and Atos, I never said I aim to go to d4 so that opening is irrelevant
When 8 Qb3 allows 8....Na5 ( as in your first diagram ) after the queen moves and black takes the B/c4 black is at least equal already. This is most likely why you dont see Qb3 at higher levels.
@Reb, I never said you gain a big advantage, but after Na5, in my opinion, a novice's opinion, Black definitely does not have an advantage. Black has a very closed position which makes it hard to activate his pieces, while White has developed all his pieces soundly
@Padman, firstly, Qb3 is indirectly attacking the f7 square since if the rook goes to e8 then Bxf7+ wins the game, so Qb3 is actually a waiting move. Yes the Queen will be attacked but the c3 move will mean White's Queen will be completely safe. Nbd7 makes way for the c3 move which could not be done if nc3 was played. Also, as explained, the Queen is only at b3 temporarily and has aims of a4.
thomasmoss wrote:
@Reb, I never said you gain a big advantage, but after Na5, in my opinion, a novice's opinion, Black definitely does not have an advantage. Black has a very closed position which makes it hard to activate his pieces, while White has developed all his pieces soundly
I am not claiming black has an advantage, I am claiming black is equal and masters playing white dont wish to give black equality so easily.
@Reb, again... I prefer White's position in my opinion, a novice's opinion, but you may think it equal, different people like different stuff!
What has white gained by giving black the pair of bishops ? I see nothing to compensate white for the black bishop pair..... and how will you recapture on c4 ? Black will have no problem completing his development no matter how you recapture.
@Reb, there are lots of openings which exchange the bishop pair for the Knight pair such as the Lowenthal Variation in the Sicilian Defense, where Black has good chances of winning the game, so this should be no set back for White. Anyhow, Knights can be better in some cases and if you look at the position of the first diagram in the original question, the Knights are more actively placed than the Black Bishops.
@FiveofSwords, you will be surprised to know that d3 is the most common move against the Two Knights Defence; it is not passive in that it activates the c1 Bishop and prepares to pin the f3 Knight
Yes, some openings give the bishop pair but usually have some compensation for them. In this position white has no compensation for the bishop pair, the position is equal after 8 moves , which means its not good for white and thats why you dont see masters playing this way as white , with 8 Qb3.
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Really, Black must have the better longterm chances in the first game after 8...Na5.
Frankly I would fall off my chair if a strong opponent playing White did this against me.
padman: I have a penchant for developing my b1 knight to d2 in the Ruy (to f1,e3/g3), so I wouldn't say it's a bad spot in this structure either.
One thing i dont like about Nd2 is that it traps the Be3 in and so thus Ng4 forces a swap off. And theres a mistake in ur commentary where you write Bb5 instead of Bg4 (which is what you mean), then Qb3 wins a pawn.
An interesting plan.
I have to say it probably would do well in blitz but in longer games it may be subject to positional play as Black will make time with the early queen development...
This is a line I play. It works well on Fritz and has been played by some strong GMs. And it also has to do with an early queen development. Try it if you want.
Criticism, criticism, criticism... I can see you remarks and the faults to my line, however, this is a line which will prove the opening sound:
Now, please, a bit of encouragement!
thomas, as usual you forget 9...Na5!
The Two Knight's Defense is a very popular way to counter 3.Bc4 as black, and has been played almost seven thousand times if you look on 'Game Explorer,' however, I have devised an attack against it and want to know what you think of it. Please note that the system I have showing you is completely original and has never been recorded as having been played at Master Level. Overall the idea for white is to play 1.e4 e5 2.nf3 nf6 3. bc4 nf6 4.d3, followed by nbd7, c3, qb3.