Pawn Structure: White Pawns c3, c4, d4, b Pawn gone.

I'd appreciate comments and advice from experienced players, particularly re the Pawn structure c3, c4, d4 with the b-Pawn missing.

Where can I learn more about structural features of openings in general, rather than specific openings?  (e.g. fianchettos, or the c3, c4, d4 structure in this game.)

Thanks.

It's not a terrible structure.

See:

Thanks, notmtwain.  Am I right that you're thinking it's not a terrible structure based on the fact that it appeared in a game between two strong players (the game you posted)?

I wonder what would have happened in the game you posted if Black had tried to target the c4 Pawn as a weakness (as in my game)?  How does White defend it whithout committing the Queen to the defence of the Pawn, from d3 or e2.  I worry that d3 or e2 would be the wrong place for the Queen if Black opens the centre and puts Rooks on the d and e files.

It appeared in at least half a dozen games between strong players.

Look it up at : http://database.chessbase.com/js/apps/database/

You will see that white won four of the games, drew one and lost one.

Black shouldn't have time to attack your c pawn unless you waste moves. In the meantime, you have a strong center. That is an advantage. It gives you the freedom to pursue action on either wing.

Thanks again.  I looked at the Chessbase link you posteed and saw that Harika vs Videnova has the ...Nc6 move and White has some interesting ideas to protect the c4 Pawn.

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If you want to study Pawn structures and their affect on middle-game planning, try "Pawn Power in Chess" by Kmoch or "Pawn Structure Chess" by Soltis.

After 9.bxc3 your pawn structure has been weakened,. The c4 pawn--and the c4 square are weak. This is not necessarily a serious weakness,of course, but it is a weakness. I don't understand what was wrong with 9,Qxc3  

I'm pretty sure if I were in this position, I would have captured the Knight with the Queen, Qxc3 to preserve the pawn structure. To trade Knights, Black moved his Knight 3 times to capture a Knight that only moved once. This would be the Queen's second move; however, she is reasonably safe after this move and cannot be immediately attacked successfully.

I don't think bxc3 was a terrible move, but it does present a slight weakness that could be avoided by Qxc3. Interesting position . . .

Yes, maybe it wasn't terrible pawn structure, but it wasn't forced to play 9bxc3. 

It was unusual to g6, Bg7, rather than Be7 a standard Queen's Indian. Wonder if there is something white is supposed to do to react to that.

Doubled c-pawns and f-pawns are really powerful because u can strike with c4 (or f4) twice and break the center.

In this position, I made black play an intentional blunder (d5). d4 is supported by our c3 pawn, and if you want you can take on d5 and play d4 again

I don't understand what is the point of Qc2 if you're not going to take the pawn with the queen? Sometimes it prevents Bf5 but not here. You just doubled your pawns and created an awkward pawn structure for no reason.