Originally posted by Oddjob291White should play 3 Nc3 instead of 3 e5, and on3) ...xe4, reply 4) d5!
Stives, the only problem with 1.e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 is that Black can play 3... Bf5 which is a decent version of the French/Caro Kann advanced setups.
This is a far more testing reply to blacks opening choice. (I have a decent amount of experience playing the Nimzovich Defence as black, and have gained easily playable positions against people far stronger than myself with it).
Originally posted by StivesNot really, most Nimzovich defence players will be a lot more at home facing 1) e4 Nc6 2) d4 d5 3) e5, than 2) Nf3 i know i certainly am. I still don't fear either though to be honest...
Yes that's true, but you will have taken him from his original defence into another defence entirely. He may not be as well prepared. Also the advanced Caro kann in this line is easy to play as white.
Originally posted by Oddjob291The 0-0-0 plan is a good one.
As White, what setup would you adopt against the following sequence of moves (or is there an improvement somewhere along these lines) ?
1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6
I tended to play Bg4 before Nf6 as black, and certainly played it before g6, although they are likely to transpose.
Watch out for 1) e4 Nc6 2) Nf3 f5?! which although is not sound, can pose some very nasty problems for an unprepared white player.
If you don't want to head down the main lines of the defence, consider 2) Nc3 as an option too, especially if you are familiar with the Vienna, as most black players will choose to transpose with 2)... e5 rather than risk 2)... e6, which is somewhat cramped for black.
Thanks for that Welsharnie, I did have a think about what happens if Black plays Bg4 before g6 but that didn't happen in the game itself.
However, because of the g6 move we now entering the realms of the Pirc/Modern defence setups with the Black knight on c6 and in my opinion I don't think the setup via the Nimzovitch is the best against it - again, what do others think about it?
Just incase it helps, this is the only game of mine with e4 Nc6 Nf3 d6 could find.
Game 1150888
I am also playing a e4 Nc6 Nf3 f5 game against Ravello too. Will post the link when it is finished if you would like to see that. Also have a few with d4 instead of Nf3 if you'd like...
Here are all other games I can dig up...
Game 1139593
Game 1606658
and one with me as white
Game 1143060
The two games 113... and 114... were against a weaker player who wanted to get some practice with the opening, so the games are not the best, but are better than nothing.
I also have an OTB game from 2 years ago against someone who is now a 2480 rated IM (2292 when I played him) where black gets a good position out of the opening after I had played the moves you are looking at, i'll try and dig that up if I can.