Hi,

Roman Dzindzi recentently just posted a video on a really interesting side line for white in the french. The play seems good enough for white but since even the first few minutes of watching the video I've always been asking myself what if black takes the d- pawn with the knight instead? What do I do here and what is my plan? A few examples/Games would be nice. Here are the moves to the sideline if you want it:

I'm fairly sure black loses a pawn after 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Bb5+

At best, you mean white regains the pawn that black took on d4, right? Or am I missing something there?

yes it regains the pawn but for the cost of trading off my good bishop for black's bad one. Don't worry about trying to regain the pawn back... I just want a good continuation that would lead to around the same compensation that roman showed in his video

Ah... Well I wish you were.

Please more answers!

Urgent~!!

If it's urgent, just play 4.c3, which is objectively a much stronger move in the first place.  After 4.Nf3, white's score is abysmal.  cxd4 is the obvious "problem" white has to face, since that's the threat c5 posed in the first place -- seizure of central control.  And indeed, 4...cxd4 is what I always play in this line.  With no real weaknesses and a central majority, it's hard to see how black hasn't at least equalized here by move 4.

no matters are that urgent...

Interestingly, in both databases I looked in, 5...cxd4 is much, much more frequently played than 5...Nxd4, but 5...Nxd4 scores much better for Black. Fritz doesn't seem to rate the two moves very differently.

White's usual intent with 4 Nf3 is to offer the gambit differently, allowing ...cxd4 and following with, not necessarily in this order, a3, Nbd2, 0-0, b4, Bb2, Re1, Nb3, and finally recapturing at d4 or obtaining some decent piece play if Black plays to hold the pawn.

...Nxd4 seems to me to be a clear path to equality for Black, though.  I have no answer, but thanks for bringing it to my attention!

what did you need it for?