Expert: Len Molden - 3/29/2011

Question
1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 d6
3.d4 exd4
4.Qxd4 c5
5.?
How do I punish this because I looked in the M.C.O. and it doesn't speak of c5. The problem that I have with this is that it gives black a big space advantage in the center and a faster attack on the Queenside. So how would I punish this? Also in Philidor's Defence instead of c5 sometimes black will develop his knight to f6 with ideas of attacking the bishop on f4! Here is an example of what I am taling about
1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 d6
3.d4 exd4
4.Qxd4 Nf3
5.Bf4 Nh5
Harrassing the Bishop. And the problem is that I don't want to have to keep moving the Bishop also I don't want to interfere with my kingside pawn advance. So what is the proper recomendation?

Answer
Hi Jerry,

White can get a slight advantage from:

1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 d6
3.d4 exd4
4.Qxd4 c5

...with play something along these lines:

5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Qd3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Be7 8.Bf4 O-O 9.O-O-O Be8 10.Rhe1 Bxb5 11.Nxb5

or 6.Bxd7+ Qxd7 7.Qc4 Nf6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.e5 dxe5 10.Nxe5 Qe6 11.Qxe6 fxe6

5.Bb5+ Nc6 6.Qd3 Be7 7.O-O Be6 8.Qe2 Nf6 9.e5 Ng4 10.Rd1 O-O 11.Bxc6 bxc6

For the other Philidor variation:

1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 d6
3.d4 exd4
4.Qxd4 Nf3
5.Bf4 Nh5

...These lines will give White a slight advantage again:

6.Be3 Be7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.Qd2 O-O 9.O-O-O Nf6 10.Bb5 Be6 11.Nd4 Nxd4 12.Qxd4

Or:

6.Bd2 Be7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.Qc4 O-O 9.O-O-O Nf6 10.Bd3 Bg4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5

Regards,

Len