Ragozin Defense against a 2300 player [from 2100 to International Master]

I posted my analysis in the video format on YouTube:

 Nice game! Thank you for sharing...

I have to admitt that i didnt knew anything about 6.Bf4 in the Ragozin but i guess as it happens in the classical QGD with Bf4 the idea is to play more tactically for White rather than positionally. I believe your opponent had prepare this one when facing low rated opponents. My belief for this option is that Black should play concrete early on, not allowing White to develop easily and consolidate around e4 push. Watching your analysis i was wandering what is wrong with 6...Ne4 right away. White has to play Rc1 and then what?

So...i bothered to check some games in my data and noticed that Black scores well with this plan, although its not easy to play for both. Now...if you ask me if i prefer a controlized game like yours against a higher rated opponent or something unusual, i will go for the later. At least i will not have to worry about casual things...i know less than him.

6...Ne4 is good advise, think it is what recommended by IM R Pert in "Playing the Ragozin", based around a game of Hammer. It looks a good idea to take advantage of particularly features of Ragozin, and avoid a comfortable ride for white in the carlsbad structure.

What played in game was ok, but probably worse for black than a standard QGD exchange. Don't particularly like the Na6 idea even in the standard setting,  and don't see how a5 helps. 8....Bf5 solving the bad bishop would have been a natural move.  In the more common positions with Bg5, the top players are playing bf5 more often too. 17...Ng7 intending to continue with normal  bf5, seemed quite solid too. White isn't able to play d5 so easily. Quite astonishing the opponent didn't sense the danger of playing 30Rxa4. Didn't see the mate either with 40Qf2ch, but did notice that 40Qxg2ch was winning. That one is actually quite easy,  if not in time pressure of course.

Thank you for showing me the Ne4 move. I'll have a closer look at this. I love the way Socko played this game!

@TwoMove With Bf5, i was worried about Qb3 - what would you suggest there?

17. ... Ng7 - thanks for this suggestion, I didn't take it into account, looks like a natural move according to the plan

I thought 8...Bf5 9Qb3 Qb6 was ok for black. Guess 9...a5 is taste, wouldn't have been too concerned with the minority attack, or worried about BxN after 9...Na6 myself.

Yes, that was what I meant, but black can play a6 later with very similar scenario. Personally don't think the minority attack is much to worry about after 8...bf5.

I have recorded a video which shows the ideas, you've helped me find here, thanks!

Hope don't mind hijacking your thread a little bit. The following game shows one of white's best carlsbad structure lines, Rf-c1 first played in Zurich '53. Black has nice resources though. ChessExplain's opponent in game is IM Richard Pert.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V3fp3vdMmw

Excuse me y'all,

What on earth is a défense?

Thanks for the game its was very interesting, Andrzej. Fischer and Carlsen and many GMs play Ragozin and can transpose to the Semi-Tarrasch or similar pawn structure, demonstrated by Fischer against Portisch in Bled 1961. 

The problem with Carlsbad pawn structure your opponent is telegraphing his intention; I don't want any complication from my opponent and I want all play for myself. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 ( maybe a Nimzo Indian or a QGD) 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4 ( frankly I don't like this move for white at all, it can be tricky) 5... Bf5! and black take an important diagonal from white. 7.Qb3 Nc6 8.e3 a6 { preventing 9.Bb5 which can be troublesome and does two things, threat to win the black bishop Bb4 by10. Bxc6 bxc6 11.Qxb4 and ruin black pawn structure, so black taking a tempo to avoid this complication} 9.Ne5 Bxc3+ 10 bxc3 Nxe5 1.Bxe5 b5!; I like black position all his pieces are develop and he seen freer.