Someone privately messaged me asking what would happen in this line with 4. b4 b5:
This led to an interesting line that a really like that that involves another trap:
This seems like a pointless sacrifice of the bishop after the exb4, however if that is played, all lines lead to white winning a free rook:
Another interesting line with a trap from out of the blue. Hope this answers your question anonymous
Help me make this a real opening by commenting and sharing please!
Engine isn't giving it as strong as NxN, which is the natural move. But it seems rather good at least to me.
I appreciate the review
Have you ever made a post about what happens if black ignores the b4 pawn?
We've gone through a few lines, but haven't explored it a ton. Are there any specific variations where the pawn is ignored you'd like me to address?
Oh shoot, sounds like an interesting experience. No problem, take your time haha
Apparently, (according to Stockfish) 4... d5! gives black a slight advantage:
Apparently, (according to Stockfish) 4... d5! gives black a slight advantage:
Hi, black plays an immediate Qf6. The reason is that white has to swap off black's Q because it's too dangerous and then black gets the half open g file. I think that black's position is stronger than stockfish is saying and it's very difficult for white to defend.
Yeah, I missed that move. If it wasn't for qf6, black doesn't really have any good place to put their light squared bishop (although they might have some possibilities of playing f5 in the future), and g6 gives white a chance to consolidate, in my opinion. But regardless of what black plays, white is up a pawn, and black doesn't seem to have any way of immediately getting it back. So, white has the possibility of giving back the pawn in an opportune moment, to neutralize black's initiative. Still, not a very pleasant position to play as white.
I've looked at some lines with Qf6. I think white has to swap and then I can't see any way for white to develop. If 0-0 then Rg8 immediately and the two bishops are looking very strong. The point is that in that particular position, it's hard for white to unravel the pawn structure and the Q-side pieces. Pawn moves by white seem to run the risk of losing not one but two pawns and with them, the game. I haven't looked too hard, I admit, but I don't think there's a way to give up a pawn to develop. If there is a way, black is still surely better.
I think that after something like:
white is still hanging on, unless if I'm missing something. Still, not a very fun position to play.
Instead of 11. ...0-0-0, black can play ...Bd3.
Yeah, I missed that.
Thanks for running through these lines. After reviewing them, I think you have an interesting game after 9. Qe3:
If you trade queens, we run into the uphill battle for white you guys laid out. However this offers some sharp lines with some traps. I even found some hidden brilliancy lines which was exciting! The main line goes as follows:
I really like this as white actually. The computer gives it even, but white has a lot of tricky and aggressive lines. There's also another really sneaky and beautiful trap in this position that I'll go over if anyone would like
They key in that position is on move 12 should be Ba3 rather than Bb2. Running a deep analysis, that position would favor white, and if black responds with O-O-O, the engine gives almost +1 for white after c4
Countless funny attempts to refute an already refuted opening.
Although it's an interesting idea, there are a lot of chances for white to gain an advantage. In the O-O-O lines, I definitely think white has a solid advantage and attacking chances, and as I previously analyzed, it's quite sharp with chances leaning towards white. It's interesting, but in the 9. Qe3 lines, from some very deep analyses, I found that the computer always starts to favor white in every line
Yeah, although Qf6 is technically the best, I do think a human would not have a great time playing that. However after Bd6, black has no advantage and white can get the knight out with moves like Na3 and followed by Nc4, or just d3. After that it seems to be a pretty standard game with white even having a slight advantage
This is brilliant. I just played it. My opponent did not fall for the mating trap, but in the end I am up material and development.
Thanks for running through these lines. After reviewing them, I think you have an interesting game after 9. Qe3:
If you trade queens, we run into the uphill battle for white you guys laid out. However this offers some sharp lines with some traps. I even found some hidden brilliancy lines which was exciting! The main line goes as follows:
I really like this as white actually. The computer gives it even, but white has a lot of tricky and aggressive lines. There's also another really sneaky and beautiful trap in this position that I'll go over if anyone would like
11. Re1 ?? Bxb1 wins a knight
White Position seems very nice.
White’s Position has several different Plans
- F Pawn Push
- Knight b1 rerouted to f3
- Queen reroute to King Side.
I suppose the question would be why play the move b4. What is it trying to accomplish?
Another interesting question would be what if White took Knight 1st. Than played b4?
Does changing the move order around help or not?
The move is a bit riskier, but accomplishes in worst case an uncomfortable and unfamiliar position for your opponent off the opening, and in best case, win a free piece
The second line you showed would be interesting, but would negate the trap part of the opening that has a fair acceptance rate