please let me know what you think of this line for black. i've used it a few times recently with decent success. comments?

Good opening with nice pawn center, but no pieces are developed, white can castle and then check, and then overload on you. Ive tried similar variations but I must say, any opening that leaves both kingspawns gone, and queens are still on the board is a dangerous one for the person whose move it isnt (normally black)

I know that may sound complicated but its dangerous. I could state several instances where I though I was doing well until I was checked, attacked and beaten.

yes you are right that it does slow down piece development a little. i'm not too worried about the castle/check though (at least i've never encountered anything i can't handle when my opponent has done it - not counting my just blundering ;).

I think that I would prefer a system with pawns e6 d6 c5 then developing Nf6 Be7 Nc6 0-0 and try for a6 and b5. The Bishop isn't really really good on c4 because black can gain unnecessary tempos on it. In fact black scores about 56% in my chessbase after 1.e4 c5 2.Bc4

Good center, but white have little edge and possible to break center e.g.

1.e4 c5 2.Bc4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Bxd7+ Qxd7 7.0–0 Nf6 8.Re1+ Be7 9.d4

and black get isolated pawn and possible weak in endgame.

thanks for the comments.