New to Nimzovitsch - analysis?

I've recently started using the 1. ... Nc3 defence to 1. e4 and have been enjoying it quite well. However, I fear I may be making an error in the early continuation. Here is a typical scenario I find myself in:

Would 3. ... a6 be more prudent?

Also, as a related issue, is it usually best to go for a queen side castle in this defence with X. ... Qe7+ being a developmental stepping stone?

Any help in the analysis of this opening (defence) and its continuation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Here's a game someone played against me in one of those Dark Knight tournaments, with the 2...e6 Nimzowitsch line.  Black definitely made several mistakes, but everyone loves a miniature:

Yes, I see, and I will remember that line, however, that is not really that relevant to the posted issue. The case in question, involves his bishop being developed first, and my challenge to d5. The timing is different, and hence the prospects, tactics, and exchanges are completely different.

This is a critical juncture in the opening system that I am trying to explore...

(Nice miniature though)

Thanks Tony, that was helpful :)

The 3. ... Qh4 line seems interesting, and I'll certainly have a go of it to explore.

However regarding your last suggestion (the one I was considering), are you saying that I'll be OK accepting the exchange even with a weakened Queen-side pawn structure? (Obviously, I dislike breaking my pawn chain if it can be prevented)

I'm just wondering what my statistcal/realistic chances are after suffering the exchange. I know that I can rapidly devlop the King bishop and then castle, which seems nice. I've looked at the situation on an analysis board, and it seem rather ambiguous.

What were your experiences like following such an exchange - advantage (slight for white) or no? (anyone for that matter?....)

Tarius78

Has someone actually played 3. Bc4 against your setup? It seems a better idea for White would be 3. Nf3 and if 3. ... d5 White can play 4. e5 with a French. Anyway I wouldn't be concerned about the pin or an exchange on c6. It seems to me just to be a waste of time for White.

Yes mnag, indeed more than once my oponent has played 3. Bc4 and I keep thinking d5 is the best continuation for me... I agree about 3. Nf3 being superior for white, which is what I expected, but that is the whole point - I wasn't expecting 3. Bc4 - so it's thrown me a little for a loop. Other than establishing a pin on the knight (which according to Tonydal, is a mere temporary snitch), than I, too, don't see the point for white... I'll let you know how it goes.

I don't think you should be afraid of the capture on c6. The doubled pawns can be resolved with ...c5 at some point, and the bishop pair is the bishop pair :-)

yes, the bishop pair, good point ! I forget to include that in my calculations sometimes. In fact, here is a great game I recently had where I kept my bishop pair, and traded my rook for one of his bishops, and won!

Only related in a round-about way to the original topic, but I found that this game highlited the power of a bishop pair, and hence influences my decision on how to proceed after 3. Bc4.

I just finished a game where I tried to implement the Nimzowitch line, as I understand it so far. My oponent did make a mistake in an exchange series where he should have eneded up material and instead drew even. This allowed a superior attacke later giving me the win...

But what interests me is the opening and how it contributed; do these first 12 or so moves look like a decent position/prospective game for black?

The reason 2...e6 isn't played very often is because it will mostly transpose it an offbeat line of the french defense where the knight is arkwardly placed on c6. for example:

Ok, so if 2. ... e6 is not the best move, then what is? I've found that, particularly when white plays 2. d4, then 2. ... e6 is the best response to prevent the knight from getting harassed by the d pawn.

Is there a better continuation?

Two lines are usually played 2 ... d5 and 2 ... e5. Usually d5 is considered better.