Pawn Structure Chess 2 - Maroczy Defense

Hi chess friends! This is my second post about pawn structures and you will see the connection with the first one. I will talk about the Maroczy Defense which goes 1. e4 d6 2. d4 e5. The idea of this rare variation is that although White usually gets the edge, Black's position is very solid with no big weakness.

White has 3 options in this position: 3.dxe5 (intuitive) , 3.d5 (less accurate) and 3.Nf3 (best move)

The obvious variation with the Queen trade is the reflexing response for most players.

Black can't castle but the absence of Queens reduces the attacking chances and the Black King may handily find shelter on c7 or f7 and become active after some exchanges.

The second move d5 gives shape to a structure with pawn-chains for both players. This exact structure was the subject of my last post. Black strikes immediately with 3.f5 and will probably take the initiative.

Best move for White is 3.Nf3 that keeps the central tension and simply transposes to the main line of the Philidor Defense of the double King Pawn opening. White has a few options but I follow the main line:

Again we have the same situation. White has the edge based on the space advantage as the e4 Pawn controls d5 and f5 but Black is solid with no weaknesses.

Black has 2 plans here 

1) put pressure on the e4-Pawn

2) exchange a few Pieces to neutralize the space advantage

Let's see a Rapid game I played the other day in this variation:

You can find all my posts at chessdigger.blogspot.com (english) and aplaskaki.blogspot.com (greek)

Thanks for reading! Have a good day!