QGD Move Order Question

Hello all,

I'm trying to decide on a 1.d4 defense to pair with the nimzo-indian.  I've been liking some Ragozin lines I've played through, but I'm wondering if it is possible for white to avoid it.

For example:

By playing Nf3 early White no longer has access to the Nge2 versions of the QGD mainlines, which are quite popular.  That's what discourages White from delaying Nc3, because he's got to play with one of those two N moves, and it's not so often the QN has a better square than c3 - after all the point of c2-c4 was to be able to play Nc3 behind it!

Since there is no pressure on d5, in the position pictured you could consider bumping White with 4...h6 (whereas ordinarily a move like ..Be7 or ..Bb4 would be forced)  Then if 5.Bh4 you can try 5...dxc4 which looks like a decent QGA.

4... Bb4 and white can not avoid Nc3.Nbd2 is bad, you just continue with c7-c5 idea...

My opinion, try pairing the Nimzo-Indian with the Benoni. So after 3. Nf3, try 3...c5 unless you prefer QGD positions.

Stay away from the Ragozin and simply play a Queen's Gambit, there are not so much resources on the Ragozin, there is quite some theory and I dont see any advantage on playing it at the moment, whern you could play something easier.

Have you looked at the interesting 4...0-0 instead of 4...d5?

You should.