This brings the Abrahams - Noteboom variation. Black threatens to hold the c4 pawn with b5.

Attacks b5.

Neutralizes the knight renewing the threat of b5.

I believe the books regard this as risky as in the main line the e pawn hangs to a bishop on b7.

White unpins the knight threatening to take on b5. Black cannot play a6 because Nxb5 axb5 allows Rxa8.

Looking at going back to the main book line if white plays b3, but this must be risky in view of Black's lack of development.

This position is outside my previous experience with this opening. The pawn can be saved with a4 but I really didn't like that structure. I thought it was time to return the extra pawn and develop some pieces.

I think the queen has to stay on this diagonal otherwise White can play Qg5 hitting both b5 and g7.

A slight surprise as I thought he would play Be2 and 0-0 which also unpins the bishop.

I was worried about Bb4 interfering on a3-f8 to stop castling or to win an exchange after I castled.