In looking for a "solid" backup to the Dragon, I found this variation:
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6!? 5. c4 Nb6 6. e6 fxe6 7. Ng5 e5 8. Bd3 Nxd4 9. Qh5+ g6 10. Bxg6+ hxg6 11. Qxg6+ Kd7 12.
Nf7 Nxc4!! 13. Nxd8 Kxd8
Black has two pieces and a pawn for the Queen, but will pick up the rook on a1 anytime he wants. A Correspondence game is presented for your enjoyment:
[Event "Correspondence, 1997"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Wydrowski"]
[Black "Marcinkiewicz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "54"]
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c4 Nb6 6. e6 fxe6 7. Ng5 e5 8. Bd3 Nxd4 9. Qh5+ g6 10. Bxg6+ hxg6 11. Qxg6+ Kd7 12.Nf7 Nxc4 13. Nxd8 Kxd8 14. b3 Bf5 15. Qf7 Nb6 16. Be3 Rh7 17. Qg8 Nc2+ 18. Ke2 Kd7 19. Bxb6 axb6 20. Nc3 Rg7 21. Qc4 Rg4 22. Qf7 Bg6 23. Qd5 Nd4+ 24. Kd1 c6 25. Qc4 b5 26. Nxb5 Bc2+ 27. Ke1 cxb5 0-1
If 28. Qc3 28. Bxb3! 29. Qh3 Be6 30. Qh7 Bf5 31. Qh5 Rg2 and White is lost!
Originally posted by !~TONY~!A couple comments...
In looking for a "solid" backup to the Dragon, I found this variation:
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6!? 5. c4 Nb6 6. e6 fxe6 7. Ng5 e5 8. Bd3 Nxd4 9. Qh5+ g6 10. Bxg6+ hxg6 11. Qxg6+ Kd7 12.
Nf7 Nxc4!! 13. Nxd8 Kxd8
Black has two pieces and a pawn for the Queen, but will pick up the rook on a1 anytime he wants. A Correspondence game is pres ...[text shortened]...
If 28. Qc3 28. Bxb3! 29. Qh3 Be6 30. Qh7 Bf5 31. Qh5 Rg2 and White is lost!
If you're looking for a *solid* backup, then doesn't Alekhine's defense sort of defeat the purpose?
12...Nxc4!! ? Maybe one, maybe no exclamation points. Or am I totally missing it, I just don't understand why this move is so amazing?
Anyways, interesting opening and choice, hope to see how it goes in the future.
If you want SOLID, you can definitely play the HAD/Acc. Dragon. I'm not only recommending it because I play it, but because it is in many respects similar to the Dragon. In fact, it can often transpose into favorable lines, such as the Classical with Be2.
Sure there is the "boring" Maroczy bind, but there are a number of ways you can deal with it. The traditionalNc6 followed by Nf6 is decent, but very drawish. I know you don't like that and neither do I. Thus, I recommend 4...b6. It is the latest GM darling and scores better than any other response to the Maroczy. (this may also be due to the high ELO of the GMs using it, an average of 2400) This isn't necessarily because it is better, it's because it leaves much more complexity on the board and thus the player's strength becomes a more important factor. White can no longer simplify so easily.
Anyway, if you want something solid with similar ideas to the Dragon, you can count on the HAD.
BTW; I don't think 1...Nf6 is really all that "solid." In fact, I would say that if White knows his lines, he can come out of the opening with an advantage.
I've found another strong weapon against the bind.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6
3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nh6
Nh6 may seem ackward at first, however, it serves a very important purpose. It protects f5 and makes the break inevitable. Soon, white has to move or lose the e4 pawn and the bind is in shambles. It scores well in the database (48😵 and offers plenty of counterplay. Nh6 along with b6 both make the bind look rather meek.
Guys, notice the quotes around solid. And cmsmaster, Nxc4 is sick! The only other option is to play Qe8 after which Nxh8 looks very good for white. Sacking your queen for the two pieces isn't exactly and obvious option. I am sure that most people wouldn't even hesitate and would think that Qe8 was forced.
Originally posted by !~TONY~!Well I certainly agree that it gives black the most promising position, so like I said before, I'm curious to see how it goes for you.
Guys, notice the quotes around solid. And cmsmaster, Nxc4 is sick! The only other option is to play Qe8 after which Nxh8 looks very good for white. Sacking your queen for the two pieces isn't exactly and obvious option. I am sure that most people wouldn't even hesitate and would think that Qe8 was forced.
BTW, didn't see those quotes 😉.