How do you best handle the b2 pawn as white?

That's the general question. If you want a specific position, here is one from a recent game. Also, I know g4 was always an option. If you do want to go down that path, then please provide a line after g4 that addresses the b2 pawn (unless your thinking falls under option 4).

The options I see are:

1. Keep the bishop on c1 for the moment to protect the b2 pawn. Perhaps because white wants to see where black will place their queen.
2. Play Na4 to prevent Qb6.
3. Get the c pawn to c4, possibly with Nbd2. Then you can play Qa4.
4. Forget the b2 pawn, play something else with something else as the goal. Keep b2 vulnerable as a decoy for black to waste tempo.

Oh that's easy between by thumb and first finger, and welcome back lol

And you may use any finger as you wish. Some years ago I played against a teenager who would use all five fingers of his right hand to grab a piece, his b2-pawn included. I'm not sure this would work on a mini set, though. The piece could be so small there isn't enough space to land five fingers on it.

I was asking about the position, what move to make not literally how to physically move a piece. But any comment helps bump it.

Hello! I figured you should get at least one serious answer.

1st- Moving the g-pawn when you have castled kingside is not a very good idea in almost any position.

2nd- You don't have to worry about the b2 pawn at the moment so you could just go ahead with Nc3.

In the game I was white and played the following.

Ok, now rewind. From the OP position. Would you have known about this? If so, would you NOT have played Na4 to play Na4 later?

Oh, so you are @GambitShift and @drstrawsomething

@drstrawsomething isn't even an account, do you have anything to add to this thread?

"16. Na4 doesn't win a piece because black just took a piece, so all black has to do is to play the Q back to support the N on e7. I think Na4 looks like a mistake because then black has Be4."

I was talking about the OP, not 16. The OP is focused on move number 10 for white. 

If we play 10. Re1 (I'll look at c4 later), how would you handle the pin on the queen? Here is one Stockfish line.

@ Optimissed Be4 is a mistake because after 17. Nxb6 Bxd3 white has Bxc5 winning a piece. I think Na4 is a pretty good move as it give white a better position after simplification.

"I think Na4 is a pretty good move as it give white a better position after simplification."

So, if you are in the Na4 camp, then when would you play Na4?

@Optimissed Sorry for misunderstanding, there was no clarification on which move Be4 was. I just assumed it was after 16. Na4. My point was that Na4 is justified if you wanted to play 16. Be4. I also checked with stockfish, and the strongest move by far was 16. Na4. I only said it led to a better position, not winning a piece.

Also, white is not decentralizing pieces? Strong Knight on c5, with the rook, bishop, and queen in the center. I think white just has better piece activity and more space. I wouldn't say a move is "wrong" anyway. Just "poor".

I meant on Na4 on move 16. I was reffering to @Optimissed's comment in which they were analyzing 16. Na4

Yeah, it may end up as a draw. I have to agree with stockfish in this situation though. In my opinion, I would have an easier time playing white than black. White just looks to be doing somewhat better after that Na4 combination, as opposed to other variations. 

What I am finding is Nc3 is played and white castles long instead.

I'm in the same boat as @GarryCasperov and I'd love to hear tips on how to defend your b2 (or b7) pawn in the opening and middle game in general, especially after Qb3 (or Qb6). This thread went more in detail in the current position and that's great, but if someone qualified sees this, thoughts?

In general, good players don't start off the game worrying about how to defend their b-pawns! Particularly since no one is attacking them.  There are times where the opponent can threaten the b-pawn, after you have developed your bishop, but often you can afford to simply sacrifice the pawn for superior development. You will have to make that judgement in each individual case, In any event, defending your b-pawn against some attack that may or may not ever happen seems like a waste of time