QGD 3 Nc3 Be7/Nf6

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Zaphys

Hey, I was wondering if 3...Be7 is substantially different from 3...Nf6 after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3. Does one of those moves allow some sideline that the other move does not allow? Does 3...Be7 reveal your intentions, as it cuts out the Ragozin?

nima2241461

yes and no

Zaphys

Please elaborate.

nima2241461

in game

Zaphys

Alright, thank you very much for your time - that was incredibly helpful. I guess I'll play 3...Be7 then.

ace_mar

Yup, as stated before, both lines are good. The idea of be7 is to avoid the line 4.cxd5 followed by 5.Bg5,which occurs after 3.nf6, although I do think that is fine for black(not to count black also has 4.nxd5, but that's a totally different line). After 3.Be7 the 2 main options for white are to play cxd5 followed by Bf4, which is said to be the most challenging response, but black has their options too. White also can play 4.Nf3 but that will transpose back to the main QGD where black is fine.

Zaphys

That both lines are good and a matter of taste I sort of already figured, considering they are both very popular developing moves tongue.png After 4 e4 I think I'd play 4...dxe4 5 Nxe4 Nf6 (developing with tempo if you will) and then point my pieces towards d4, a bit of a weak spot.