Maroczy Bind - Which Typical Plan Should We Prefer?

What do you think about ...Qa5 with the idea of ..b6,..Bb7 here?

@OP: it is forbidden to talk about games that are still going on. Your account can be closed for it. If I would talk about this Maroczy bind, then would I say things that will help you in your game. I will not do that right now. However, I like to talk about it - later - so lets make the appointment to talk about it after your game is over.

Thanks everyone!

@LoekBergman:  The game has progressed so far that I think it's a moot point.  It will finish soon in any case.  I can resign for all I care.  I'm more interested in learning about the opening than snagging rating points from a 1400.

@all:  I think a main benefit of the Bc6 setup is that it either pressures e4 after f4 has been played, or restricts the White center by keeping a pawn on f3.  bb_gum234, I think you have a good point that it seems less active than Be6.  I wonder though, if it can be used to support a b5 break.

After writing that I think I like the Be6 idea to support f5, and to aim at a slightly weaker kingside.  I also think it's possible to lure White into not castling.

Interesting....   I will have to play with this more.

Now can I speak freely due to two reasons:

first is your game indeed not a Maroczy bind anymore, second is my game finished in which I had a good example of a Maroczy bind setup:

It is a pity that the account of the black player was closed. He said that he had a FIDE rating of 2178 or something. I could have learned probably something deep from the games with him. However, here you see a position that shows why the Maroczy bind is called a bind.

What I could not say about your game was that it is important to develop the LSB before playing the queen as it is a good plan for white to castle king side. The rooks should go to c1 and d1. Your game is therefor not a good example of the bind.

Your opponent should at least have played Be2 instead of h3. I would play as white - if tactically possible - the moves Be2, Be3, Qd2 and O-O. Then can I still decide if I opt for the english attack or a bind playing Rc1 and Rd1.

In the bind is white trying to play c5 or b5 while preventing d5. Black can try to break the bind playing d5 or f5. All those strategies do not occur nor do they play a role in your game. 11.b3 is for instance another strange move in the bind. He should have played 11.b4 (which btw also counters your upcoming attack) and later on 15.Rc1 instead. Those moves would have been better. Then could you not have countered with b5 for instance.

If you see the position of the Maroczy bind I had in my game with Attilla, would you then still like to play the black position? I you do, then can we start a game with this starting position. It is your move. :-)

I might just relocate the knight first with Nd7 sending it to c5 if White allowes it, and e5 if he does not. Of course this only delays the decision, but White's problems are his weak dark squares and slightly tardy development, so you might as well take the dark squares.