tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post7463141269006117565..comments2023-12-28T02:11:22.501+00:00Comments on The Streatham & Brixton Chess Blog: Pass the Dutchie?Tom Chivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09850710685193416732noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-49789531004093470402013-11-07T10:53:59.589+00:002013-11-07T10:53:59.589+00:00I know 5 b3 is a better version of b3 systems than...<i>I know 5 b3 is a better version of b3 systems than some versions, but that's not a disaster; I'd have thought White's most theoretically challenging move was 5 Nc3 and a Meran.</i><br /><br />There's also 5.Bd3, which in some people's opinion (e.g. Vigorito in his Semi-Slav book) leads either to a Queen's Gambit Accepted or an inferior line for Black. Not <i>theoretically</i> a disaster of course because the QGA is perfectly playable, but an inconvenience to the Semi-Slav player. (White also has 5.Nbd2, although that wouldn't bother me too much. Indeed it didn't bother me when my opponent played it on the only occasion I've been in that position.)ejhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01582272075999298935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-88679447099401539912013-11-05T23:47:59.146+00:002013-11-05T23:47:59.146+00:00The Encyclopaedia thinks it's called the Alekh...The Encyclopaedia thinks it's called the Alekhine variation of the Meran. Not sure too many people would recognise that name these days.John Coxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-55393400232265695352013-11-05T18:59:38.077+00:002013-11-05T18:59:38.077+00:00As to transpositions, I'm not a great expert, ...As to transpositions, I'm not a great expert, but AFAIK in the Chebanenko, if White goes 5 e3 b5 6 b3 Black would normally play one of several moves that wasn't 6...e6. And conversely in Anand's line if White plays 6 b3 I think Black would not normally play 6...b5, rather some move like 6...Bb4. So while they can in theory transpose into the position after (say) 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 a6 5 e3 b5 6 b3 e6, in practice I think both variations try to avoid that position.<br /><br />But that could be total bollocks. I'm sure Black *can* play that position starting from either route.John Coxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-55413557160836753512013-11-05T18:55:38.744+00:002013-11-05T18:55:38.744+00:00I'm not sure about 4...e6 being thought to be ...I'm not sure about 4...e6 being thought to be inferior after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3, Justin, if that's what you're saying. Some people would think it was Black's best move. I know 5 b3 is a better version of b3 systems than some versions, but that's not a disaster; I'd have thought White's most theoretically challenging move was 5 Nc3 and a Meran.John Coxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-19988037016426896662013-11-05T14:13:41.526+00:002013-11-05T14:13:41.526+00:00Yeah, they can, if White plays 5.e3 in either line...Yeah, they can, if White plays 5.e3 in either line. Or for that matter if he or she plays 3. Nc3, 4. e3 and 5.Nf3. (The case is slightly more complicated where White has played 3.Nf3 and 4.e3, because both 4...e6 and 4...a6 are supposed to be sub-optimal in that position, but obviously these move-ordes do occur as well.)<br /><br />I'm inclined to think of it much more as a Meran with ...a6 than a Chebanenko with ...e6 though, partly because the Meran version came much earlier historically.ejhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01582272075999298935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-89551536328298737322013-11-05T10:56:45.569+00:002013-11-05T10:56:45.569+00:00But they can transpose into each other?
The look ...But they can transpose into each other?<br /><br />The look kind of the same to my inexpert eyes.Jonathan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00293162543015231439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-77598464867500450722013-11-05T10:54:33.171+00:002013-11-05T10:54:33.171+00:00I stand corrected.I stand corrected.Jonathan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00293162543015231439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-10510437075455554342013-11-05T10:16:08.627+00:002013-11-05T10:16:08.627+00:00Point of order, m'lud - Anand's opening wa...Point of order, m'lud - Anand's opening wasn't no ...a6 Slav. The ....a6 Meran, if you will, but really it doesn't have a name. Though back when Alekhine and Co were playing it did; though I can't remember what it was. It's in the Encyclopaedia.<br /><br />John Coxnoreply@blogger.com