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Meeting the sokolsy with ... a6

Meeting the sokolsy with ... a6

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Hi, i have some doubt on the sokosky, as I play black, I am worried about the developpement of my knight and I think I should meet 1. b4 with 1... a6.



Is 1... a6 sound ?

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No.

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Sure

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1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4! 3.Bxe5 Nf6 4.e3 0-0 5.Nf3 Re8 6.Be2 d5
is given in Alburts complete opening book for black and I think its the best way to go. you trade off a center pawn for a wing pawn but get better development by far, and theres hardly any other variations to remember

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Originally posted by AudreyxSophie




Is 1... a6 sound ?
so to answer your question, I would say ...a6 is unsound. it doesnt challenge the center (something white hasnt done yet either) and it doesnt challenge whites unproctected. pawn.. IMO 1..a6 would really get white off the hook. they could push a center pawn and the a6 move may not matter

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My only tought, is to be able to play Nc6, so, this is ... a6 ;purpose.

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1...e6 might be another way to prepare 2...Nc6 since the knight could move to e7.

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Originally posted by irontigran
so to answer your question, I would say ...a6 is unsound. it doesnt challenge the center (something white hasnt done yet either) and it doesnt challenge whites unproctected. pawn.. IMO 1..a6 would really get white off the hook. they could push a center pawn and the a6 move may not matter
"Unsound" is too strong a word, but yes, 1...a6 shows an unjustified fear of a fairly harmless opening.

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Originally posted by SwissGambit
"Unsound" is too strong a word, but yes, 1...a6 shows an unjustified fear of a fairly harmless opening.
yes, wrong word for sure. my mistake. a6 is a completely sound move, just not very relevant.

what you said is what I was trying to say... unjustified fear is a good way to put it.