This is the mainline for black in the Nc3 variation, or at least one of them. I remember having a huge winning % against nc3 with this when I played the QGA.
The a5 knight looks strange but its an exceptionally useful piece, locking down on the b3 square and guarding the cramping c4 pawn. This is why nc3 deserves a ?!.
Queen's Gambit Accepted, 3.Nc3 a6 4.a4
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I don't see the logic of f5, you don't need to commit so much up a pawn? It doesn't even help your pieces.
Why not Rd5 threatening to double, and just try to simplify?
May 19, 2014
0
#4
Godlike, good to hear I'm seeing things correctly. And aside from playing Nc6 and Na5, it doesn't seem hard to find decent moves to make. Just development, making threats, recapturing, and protection.
Scottrf, I had some vague sense that I should trade some pawns when I played 20...f5 in the second game. But it was not a good decision since I let my opponent win a pawn a few moves later. Both games are examples of the conventional wisdom that winning the opening isn't enough to win the game.
The advice is generally to trade pieces not pawns when you're ahead pawns. Becomes an easier advantage to convert. If you trade pawns your opponent may end up being able to sacrifice a piece for your last pawn and draw that way.
I think most players that play 2.Nc3 don't know much about the QGA, and to follow up from 2...a6 with 3.a4 is really bad. A few things as black you need to be ready for is a quick Nf3 followed by either Ne5 or Nd2 which can get the pawn back. Thats why I would pin the Nf3 with Bg4 and take it at the earliest opportunaty if required.Follow up with e6 and c6 and maybe eventual b5. The Knight on a5 can leap onto b3 in many lines which can fork a1 and d4 if white is not careful. Eventually White players learn the 2.Nc3 is not good and play the proper 2.Nf3.
May 21, 2014
0
#7
Agree a4 is a poor follow-up, white has to be prepared to play a gambit with 3e4. 2Nc3 is probably even a poor move-order because 2...e5 is a clean equaliser. So 3Nf3 Nf6 4Nc3 a6 if want to play in gambit style.
May 21, 2014
0
#8
Thanks for the commentary everbody.
RubiksRevenge, so you suggest 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nc3 a6 4.a4 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bg4 or ...5.e3 Na5 6.Nf3 Bg4. Perhaps...There's also defending with ...Be6, but that move looks a little strange since it blocks my e pawn.
TwoMove, do you mean 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nc3 e5 as the clean equalizer? That looks pretty good, especially since I already play 3...e5 in response to 3.e3.
I've had a couple games, playing as black, where I managed to keep the gambited pawn in the queen's gambit accepted. It seems that white allows this when he or she plays 3.Nc3 and 4.a4
What does everybody think of this variation? Can white get the pawn back? Does white have compensation for the pawn? Is holding onto the pawn the best way for black to play in this variation where white plays 3.Nc3 a6 4.a4?