Alapin with Na3

I noticed some time ago that often Alapin followed by Na3 is quite good. For example, in Barmen defense:

Your insights?

It makes sense since Nd2-Nc3 are not possible...

LoL Is that the only reason ?!?  I thought Na3 should have some intrinsic meaning (not only as the unique possible move by this knight). Maybe threatening with Bc4 after defending g2 pawn ?!?

Bc4-Nb5 (sometimes Nc4) are ideas. Of course what I said is obvious, but often in chess the obvious/logical/simple ideas are the good ones.

2. Na3 looks more extravagant, but it's also entirely logical, and more flexible: While the main idea is certainly 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Bc4 with c2-c3 to follow (not an option with a knight on c3), white can also play an early c3 and d4, or something resembling a closed Sicilian without a knight on c3, but rather a pawn ("Big Clamp" variation according to its inventor, Canadian IM Laurence Day).

Can black just play Qe6+ with the idea of preventing both Bc4 and Nb5?

Variation looks fine to me. What do you think?

i think black is behind in development and castling seems far away...

After something like d4 or Re1, black is near to collapse in my opinion...

U didnt help developing your pieces when playing  queen and wing pawns.

Chess is a concrete game, so some variations to illustrate this :

That looks really scary but can't black just play 9. ... cxd4 to create an isolated queens pawn and then play Qb6, e6, Be7 and 0-0. If he manages to do that the knight on a3 looks really awkward because it belongs on c3 and the bishop to d3. This should be fine as long white doesn't exploit the lack of developement. Can white exploit the lack of developement now?

After 8.d4 you are much closer to "lost" than "fine".

Your 8.d4 cxd4 is just more time lost. White can take with knight, when you have to move your queen again, or (probably even better) play 9.c4!? when the position becomes wide open. 

He's right....kinda.

Ok, perfect example that being extremely behind in developement is deadly. thx for the insights.

I think we need to take a good-long @ the ferocious 8. Bxp+ !!....w/ the later muse of c4 to prop the thoroughbred.

What position are you referring too?

I'm spinning offa Quote #6 (knees secretly knocking).

Saccing the bishop on b5?

I think I'm gonna give Qb6 one more chance

Na3 is useful because if that knight can get to b5, it both threatens c7 AND it can possibly recapture on d4 which allows white to prevent getting an isolated QP. 

I played Na3 a couple of times in correspondence chess (before correspondence chess was destroyed by computers) after 2.c3, partly because I thought it was fun to play it when it was a book move. The knight can go to b5 and thence to c7 or d4 or it can go to c2 or c4.

Thanks for your contribution to my old post!