A few years ago I became absorbed with the games of GM Mark Paragua. This opening, the Centre Game, was part of his repertoire and I have tried it out in my own games occasionally.

This is the disadvantage of the Centre Game. Black gains development time by attacking the Queen.

Both sides have developed one side and castled. Now Black threatens to win the e pawn with Bxc3 followed by taking with the knight or rook. White's kingside and Black's queenside have still to be developed.

This gives up (or gambits) the pawn in return for an aggressive Queen placement on the g file, looking at Black's King. This is hardly critical though, and the variation seems to be regarded as doubtful by the books.

Black continues with his plan, although this capture improves the position of White's bishop which will now pin the f6 knight to g7.

So black takes with the rook

Allowing white further development with tempo. White has gained a developing move here since castling and the bishops and Queen are now looking hard at the Black kingside.

Attacking and defending on the g file.

Threatening Bxf6 Qxf6 followed by Qxg4 or Qxh7.

I must say I was expecting d5 protecting the rook with the bishop and starting the queenside rolling. The idea of Qxh7 requires further refinement before it is a serious issue. Black defends Bxf6 Qxf6 Qxh5 because both the f2 pawn and the g2 pawn hang.