Sokolsky Opening. Has anyone had success persisting with the lines

Okay let's get back to post #337 of mine, two days ago, regarding the Exchange Variation, in which Black plays his Bishop on move 4 to a5, when White has just played c3. So 4. c3. Ba5.

I think there are some important notes here to remember, as I disagree with Hansen's option to continue, what happens in the diagram below.

As this is part of an ongoing ICCF game, I will only publish the relevant moves with comments.

h4-h5 likely is the best plan for white here. White should be open to putting the king of f1 and possibly developing rook to h4 (although 0-0 is also possible and sometimes necessary.) The reason this pawn thrust is good here is twofold. 1. there is no f6 knight to permanently attack pawn on h5. and 2.with the bishop on a5, the kingside rook can be parked on f4.

i admire your passion for 1.b4 Erwinmk. You keeping this thread alive with your interesting contributions

I agree. I have been enjoying this thread.

My only concern in the last position is that white does not have an escape square on the fourth rank to guard the knight on the h file. A successful b5 by black could cause problems. The solution is probably just properly timed moves by both sides.

I think the issue is the black bishop retreating to a5. There is some tempo issues for black and it looks isolated on one side of the board for no reason. In your last position if the black bishop had retreated to e7 perhaps it appears more in the play in the future

The Bishop on a5 does seem misplaced in the c3 line but I think it is quite active in the c4 line. Early on, it pins the d2 pawn to the king. This hinders central pawn expansion till castleing. Then it keeps white from putting a rook on e1 and influences how and when white develops his Queens knight to c3 or d2 depending on exchange of the bishop for the knight. And the bishop is not easily dislodged from a5.

Thanks for all your nice comments!

@chessterd5: Your last post was the reason after playing three games with pawn to c4 to stop with it.

@darkunortodox88: Well, I had been puzeling for quite a while on the h4-h5 move, but couldn't get a good result / idea for White. But perhaps others here can provide a better example on how to continue for both sides in such a game!! /

Best thing is, I am prepared to make mistakes and learn through these, even if it can cost me a game. Hence my some unfortunate games with pawn to c4.

(I have been cleaning my house and threw away the notes I made on h4-h5... )

Two things I was thinking about, 1) the g3, Bg2 line by white reminds me of a half accepted Benko gambit ( colors reversed) with a few differences. 2) the c4 line, would it be beneficial for white to challenge the black bishop on a5 with Bc3 at the right time? Say 1. B4, e5 2. Bb2, Bxb4 3. Bxe5, Nf6 4. A3, Ba5 5. Bc3?... and see what happens. If BXB, Nxc3 it's probably even and drawish but playable?

here is a sample continuation

13. Bb5,... is interesting.

Hi, Generally speaking, from a practical perspective, White should not exchange on d5 until it is really advantageous to do so, which is typically when Black decides to become active with ...e6-e5, a common positional misunderstanding that is committed by even strong grandmasters (at least in my games).

But otherwise, it is a very nice game.

Thanks for the advice FM chansen64. In case someone doesn't realise it, FM chansen64 is the author of the book Play The Orangutan 1 b4! that has been discussed in this thread. It is a welcomed helpful book that 1 b4 players have needed.

However, if you ever decide to write a second edition, if there is any way to add on more explanations, such as you gave above for instance, that would be great. I don't know how possible that is, easier said than done I would think even for an FM who does well with 1 b4 against GMs. Maybe just me, I'm a Silman fan who likes a lot of hand holding. Anyway, I own your book and have had fun playing it.

Thanks for the comment Carsten! I came across some cases when indeed exchanging in a game with Black's e6, it is not always good for White to exchange with his c-pawn on d5. It kind of equalises the position in favour of Black.

Now, of course with just a mere 1776 Elo point at the moment and returning to chess since September last year after 30 years of inactivity, I can hardly say I know everything there is to chess. I do however like correpsondence chess, as it elevates my games, which I for sure could not do OTB or in online live games. In those last cases, I simply can't get it all stuck in my head anymore.

In a current running game, I came to a position as well, where in not to exchange on d5, as described above. It is a variation of Black playing 1. .. d5, followed by Bf5 (chapter 9 in Hansen's book). With a slight variation in move order the position has currently reached the one described on page 124: listed as "f3" with Black playing Be7.

We'll see what will happen next, and sure when the game is finished I will probably publish it here. See below in the diagram.

(In another game I play a somewhat different variation with Black playing d5 and e6 and keeping his light Bishop on c8 enclosed, which is turning in what is listed from page 108 in Hansen's book as a Queen's Gambit set-up._

Erwinmk, another interesting position. Can we comment on this game? Or do we need to wait until it's conclusion?

Well anyone can comment, but as it is a running game I think it is not appropriate when this could lead to advice I cannot / may not use. But then again, I placed it here in the open; all a matter of ethics. Not supposed to help me!

I think as long as this is general talk, I am fine with it.

Erwinmk, I will respect your wishes and restrain from comments till the appropriate time. I do enjoy viewing your games.

By the way, just call me Erwin The last two letters are from my family name.

engine says this is virtually equal but let me tell you, all the real winning chances are from white creating a passer and / or winning the c pawn. Blacks counterplay is kind of slow as the bishop on e7 does black no favor in preparing e5.