whatever!!!!
and the C & F files are not flank/wing files???
when players talk about the "centre" they're talking about all the coloured sqaures in that diagram, IF they are more specific they will say "basic centre" or "broader centre" but in general the term "centre" is used.. and the centre is the 4 middle squares and 12 surrounding ie both the basic & broader centre = Centre.. ? ok
Originally posted by !~TONY~!cxd4 in terms of development is a useless pawn move, it wastes time, white responds with a developing move (namely Nd4). And sure Qc7 may be a good square for the queen but it's the second piece black has moved. I'm not saying this opening is bad I'm only saying that looking at it like this makes it seem that way.
The original poster analyzed the moves quite wrong. Notice that cxd4 isn't just a waste. It trades a flank pawn for a center pawn. Qc7 has the queen looking all the way down the c-file, while the pawns on e6, d6, and a6 stop white from moving anywhere on the 5th rank. It's tough to break down something like that. Sure, white is developed, but he has to work hard to exploit his development against blacks solid position.
Originally posted by bobbob1056thHow is cxd4 a uselss pawn move?! It stops white dominating the centre. In addition, Nxd4 maybe a developing move, but it is also moving a piece a second time in the opening, which if were just going off rules and paying no attention to the actual position itself (which you seem to be doing) is also a bad idea, so we should recapture with the queen as that has not moved yet... but wait!!! moving the queen into the centre in the opening is also usually a big no-no 'gasp' whatever shall we do?
cxd4 in terms of development is a useless pawn move, it wastes time, white responds with a developing move (namely Nd4). And sure Qc7 may be a good square for the queen but it's the second piece black has moved. I'm not saying this opening is bad I'm only saying that looking at it like this makes it seem that way.
Now I've got that out of the way... the opening must be balanced between playing to general principles, and playing what is necessary.
You're right, the actual position is what matters, not the dogmatic rules. But I was saying that based on the dogmatic rules one might be lead to believe white has a large advantage...
Ok, you have a good point. I'll give you credit (maybe Qd4 isn't too good a move, but it certainly is playable and may keep an edge(I haven't analyzed the position carefully)) And besides the fact that Nd4 moves a piece twice his knight isn't too well-placed there, so yes, I'd say if we consider the position even after e4 c5 Ne2 d6 d4 then black would have an advantage after cd4 Nd4 (that makes sense right?)
Originally posted by bobbob1056thDogmatically, Black does have an advantage after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cd - as someone else said, he's swapped a useless flank pawn for a vital center pawn, and has a plan of developing a minority attack on teh Qside. All White has in compensation is an initiative and a bit of space. Larsen claimed (tongue somewhat in cheek) that 3.d4 was incorrect for this reason.
You're right, the actual position is what matters, not the dogmatic rules. But I was saying that based on the dogmatic rules one might be lead to believe white has a large advantage...
Ok, you have a good point. I'll give you credit (maybe Qd4 isn't too good a move, but it certainly is playable and may keep an edge(I haven't analyzed the positi ...[text shortened]... after e4 c5 Ne2 d6 d4 then black would have an advantage after cd4 Nd4 (that makes sense right?)
In reality, the Sicilian would probably be =+ if White hadn't worked out how to play 'undogmatically' with various early g4 systems (see for instance Watson's Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy).
Originally posted by welsharnieYes. It is the most commonly played move by quite a bit. It is also the best scoring of black's common moves as well.
Personally I think the main reason it is seen often on this site is that it is one of blacks most reliable defences to e4, and that it is commonly played in over the board chess too. It also contains many varietys of position in its plethora of lines.
