AboutLen Molden Expertise Questions about specific chess openings and advice about which opening repertoire is suited to a particular style. For example, the Sicilian Defense is suited to aggressive players, while the Caro Kann Defense appeals to defensive players.
Experience
Past/Present clients I've been playing in chess tournaments in the United States and Canada since 1972. I've won many tournaments in both countries and I'm ranked as a Canadian Expert. I've also written articles for chess magazines and one of my best victories ever is featured here:
Question Hello Len,
I wanted to ask you about a certain opening move-order which I cant find in
any database but still, I can not see a problem with it.
It goes like this: 1d4 Nf6 2c4 e6 3Nf3 b6(the Queens indian) 4g3
Ba6(main line) 5Qa4 Bb7 6 Bg2 c5 7 0-0 cxd4 8Nxd4 Bxg2 9 Kxg2
Qc8(everything here still appears sound IMO, Black wants to equalize with
...Nc6 next turn) 10 Bf4(Here, the way I see is that if Black follows with
10...Nc6? White answers with 11Nb5! preparing the fork Nc7) ...a6(preventing
the Nb5 problem I guess) 11 Nc3.
OK After that move, I wanted to know if 10...Nc6 is still sound. I can find
everything in every database I have searched but I cant find a game
countinuing with 10...Nc6. I just want to know if there is a trap if Black goes
10...Nc6 or if its safe and sound to move the Knight there but for some
reason no one has ever done it.
Thank you in advance.
Juan
Answer Hi Juan,
This is an interesting question about move order. As I don't play this particular line of the Queen's Indian with either side (I play 4.e3 b6 5.Bd3 as White and 3...Bb4+ as Black), I consulted IM John Donaldson and here's what he stated:
"I do not think there is a refutation of 10...Nc6 which is indeed playable. However after 11.Nxc6 Qxc6+ 12.Qxc6+ I do think White has a very small advantage and possibly more importantly the position doesn't allow for active play for the second player - at least not for some time to come."
"I was going to suggest 10...Nc6 11.Nb5 e5!? but that could be somewhat dicey after 12.Bg5! Perhaps 10...Qb7+ is a better alternative. Then if 11.Kg1 Nc6 12.Nb5 Black should have decent play after 12...Rc8!?"
