Comments on https://lichess.org/@/ckickycheck/blog/beating-the-delayed-london/phlPAgij
Good blog in general. :)
There is just one problem, the position after 3 moves ( d4,Nf3 , c3) is so unlikely to happen that I wouldn‘t focus on such lines, just playing a normal game with understanding of the position.
@ScalelessStockfish said in #2:
> Good blog in general. :)
Thank you!
> There is just one problem, the position after 3 moves ( d4,Nf3 , c3) is so unlikely to happen that I wouldn‘t focus on such lines
Well... you are right, you wouldn't focus on those ;)
For me, 3. c3 was a big hole in my repertoire, allowing White to bypass all my London prep, unlikely, but dangerous.
Another thing, it's hard to get creative (still possible :p) in main lines, and I'm a very creative player. Analyzing these sidelines let's me use my creativity to get interesting unique positions and lines.
And lastly, it's fun. For me. Chess can be enjoyed in various different ways, from playing ultrabullet, variants, tournaments, teaching new players, solving endgames, organizing events etc. And so it happens, that for me, analyzzing and preparing openings is a very fun part. So it's not a chore for me, I like to do it in my free time, in fact I love it.
TL;DR while reviewing 3. c3 might not be the most optimal way to improve at chess, I enjoy it. If I were to soulessly focus on optimal grind, I'd quickly lose my love for chess. Thank you for your comment
Nice blog! I play the same idea of ...Ne4 ...g5 ....h5 against the English Opening: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6. I usually get a quick Ne4 and a nice attack, similar to your idea.
@Mag1c1an01 said in #4:
> Nice blog!
Thanks!
> I play the same idea of ...Ne4 ...g5 ....h5 against the English Opening: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6. I usually get a quick Ne4 and a nice attack, similar to your idea.
How do you get the knight to e4? It's guarded by the c3 knight, and after d5 White can force an IQP position no?
Maybe with Bb4, but two most popular responses a3 and g3 seem to stop Ne4.
Also there is fo f4 bishop to harras in the first place, can you link a game, where you managed to get the attack rolling?
Oh, sorry I didn't clarify. I haven't played a game yet with it (opening file). I take on c3 with Bb4 and then I do the plan mentioned above.
You explained how 3... c5 is unplayable on account of b4. What about 3... a5 followed by 4... c5?
@Toadofsky said in #7:
> You explained how 3... c5 is unplayable on account of b4. What about 3... a5 followed by 4... c5?
c5 is not exactly unplayable, with perfect play, eval quickly drops to 0.0, but it often requires Black to find only moves, I just don't think it's a good move in human practice (winrates seem to mirror that)
and 3... a5, while definitely helps with c5, after 4. Bf4 c5 5. e3 it is the London system position, where instead of Nc6 Black played a5 for some reason
in short, a5 -> c5 leads to a worse London
Not sure which engine you are using, but c5 is the top response recommended by the stockfish 17. White can't hold onto the pawn if black responds accurately:
4. dxc5 e6 5. b4 a5 6. e3 axb4 7. cxb4 b6! and black regains the pawn with a healthy position
4. Be3 a5! 5. c4 Na6 and once again black regains the pawn
@MrSandman1 said in #9:
> Not sure which engine you are using, but c5 is the top response recommended by the stockfish 17.
Yeah, engine always claim e6 and c5 are 0.0. However engine's eval doesn't correspond to human play.
> White can't hold onto the pawn if black responds accurately:
> 4. Be3 a5! 5. c4 Na6 and once again black regains the pawn
The position is still difficult, here's a study (not mine) from White's perspective:
lichess.org/study/8zSHdd0h