Dubious opening?

I don't like how loose the queenside is (if you remember those introduction to the Ruy Lopez books you'll recall that a6 + b5 is referred to as a weakened queenside, though in practice it can be an asset for black especially combined with ...c5 later).  Also, Karpov called 1.e4,a6?! the incorrect opening... though Miles defeated him with it. 

Queenside expansion can be a great asset, but it could be overcommital leaving weaknesses behind.  I personally like queenside operations better than kingside usually, don't why I just noticed but probably because the king isn't just something to checkmate but also an extra defender. 

In summary we could say that early queenside pawn pushes are potential weaknesses, but have a tradeoff.   Why do I mention the Ruy Lopez?  Because It's the most famous opening with such an expansion and you could apply what you learn towards other openings.  It's also why I'm considering buying Shipov's The Complete Hedgehog volumes.  I don't play the Hedgehog against the English (1...e5 is both one of the most principled and imbalancing replies so I prefer those lines) but the principles may come in handy in my Hedgehog Paulsens and Queen's Indian games. 

Hi KittenLicks--the brilliant refutation of this line probably doesn't exist; white has to do a lot to truly ruin his opening and these moves are fair if nothing else.  On their own they look odd, but queenside expansion is a theme of many middlegames and your friend is relying on being able to steer you in the direction of one.

With that in mind, 3...Nc6 is just asking for trouble after b4 has been played.  White gets free development and central pawn shoves while your knight goes for a time-wasting journey around the board.  Take advantage of those loose pawns by attacking them: ...d5, ...c5, and ...a5 are all great options to split them up.  Keep in mind you can even play ...c5 on turn one or two, stopping white's b4 "plan" and clamping down on that huge d4 square for a long time to come.  Definitely get your pawns out there first though; even if you want to develop quietly and avoid trading, a better plan than ...Nc6 is ...d6, ...Bf5, ...Nbd7, and ...Nb6.  That way your newly emerged knight doesn't get kicked around so quickly.  Look at other move one responses as well: ...c6, ...e6, and ...Nf6 are all great ways to prepare 2...d5, leaving your poor friend too distracted in the center to get those a/b pawns moving.

When you see a "bad" new idea, the impulse is not to take it seriously.  Such is usually an error.  Your opponent has themes that support each other.

I try to figure out his weaknesses and go after them, trying to turn it into a rock, scissors, paper game, in other words, duck his strengths and hit his weak points.

I think I would try 3...b5, if 4cxb5 a6, if 4c5 d6 and if 4 d3 bxc4

He is not gong to castle queenside.Think of ...Bb7 and try to keep the diagonal open.  There are probable better ways.

@pentiumjs

I see what you mean by 3...Nc6 asking for trouble. I had previously tried 3...a6 then 4...Nc6 on the next move, to try to stop the knight being chased from that square, but discarded it after 5. b5 axb5 6. cxb5 and my knight ended up having to move anyway.

The Nb6 idea seems interesting and a better way to develop the knight than the original Nc6. I think I will be trying out the a5 break in our next game though. If 3...a5 4 b5, do I play 4...c6 to try to get rid of the cramping pawn?

I  also very much like the idea of 1...c6. Thank you very much for your helpful advice.

@Escapest_Pawn

That seems like sound advice when confronting new openings. I will try to keep that in the back of my mind next time I come up against something strange.

I don't understand the point of 3...b5. Does it not just lose a pawn after cxb5? Or is there some greater strategy that is lost on me?

I have yet to try Bb7, though it is an idea. Funnily enough, he has yet to castle in the games I have played against him with this opening.

I don't understand the point of 3...b5. Does it not just lose a pawn after cxb5? Or is there some greater strategy that is lost on me?

Yes, it becomes a bit of a gambit.  You are looking foward to solid center pawns and an open game.

4.cxb5 a6

5.e3 axb5

6.Bxb5 c6

7.Be2 d5

hi

Have you considered quick development with 3...c5? 4. bxc5 Bxc5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nf3 O-O 7. d3 d5 looks like a great reverse Sicilian. 4. b5 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 is sort of reverse Maroczy's Bind. 

Try the King's Indian Defense against this.  I think it would play quite well.