Hi,

I have recently played a game where in I played Black.



Black has lost the center after 8.b5 Qc7, Instead of Qc7 can you suggest a better Move.
The game was leading by White in the beginning however after 14.fxg7 Bxg7 There were more sharp attack for Black and has gained advantage. If White didn't do 14.fxg7 then Black is in serious trouble.

Please suggest a better move after 8. b5 please let me know your thoughts in this postion after 8. b5.

For PGN please check the below

Hidden Text Below - [Show it] - [Hide it Again]

Sorry I will get back soon. My mind melted and I started commenting on a different opening.

Best I can suggest is, do not repeat this variation.

5.cxd5! cxd5 6.Qb3! and your forced to play Qd7. 7.Nf3 simple development but also a big threat of Ne5 with tempo! 7...Nc6 8.Bb5 developing and pinning, and again threatening Ne5. Why bother with this?
5.c5? First its a pawn move that does nothing for the pieces. Second it gives up the centre. I just want by reflex play 5...e5!, though there is nothing wrong with developing as you did.
7...b6? Avoid pawn moves where you are weaker, as it just helps the attacker. Note - the natural defender of your a4-e8 diagonal is stuck on f5. Instead just develop with 7..g6 intending Bg7 next. From here the bishop puts pressure on d4. Something like 7..Be7 and it is not clear what the bishop is doing on that square.

Thanks Pobble for showing me 2 variations one what happend when cxd5 and how Black is becoming weak. and tow valuble lesson on Avoid pawn moves where you are weaker.


I didn't get what exactly you mean by saying not to repeat this variation. Do you want me to avoid using 2. ..c6 for Queens Gambit Decline position. or Not allowing white to occupy c5 square.
Please clarify.

4...Bf5 is premature. Your can preface it with 4...a6 intending a Bf5 follow up. This creating a q-side weakening by developing the queens bishop early is a common theme in openings. Even white can be faced with covering his tracks. Take the London system ( what you played but with white ) - 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6
3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.c3 Qb6! The natural defender of b2 is the wayward bishop on f4. Note the following 6.Qb3 c4! 7.Qc2 ( Qxb6 is worse ) Bf5! when white has to play the miserable 8.Qc1 as 8.Qxf5 alows 8..Qxb2.

Pobble: I got the variation, are you trying to say not to develop the Queen Bishop early without any considerable adv. as it would be the defender of the b2 or b7 square.

You can do anything you like, as long as you find a way which works. The strange move 4..a6 in the line I gave, did you question it? Somebody wanted just like you do, to play 4...Bf5. Seeing a tactical flaw in the move, but not willing to give up on their idea, he conjured up 4...a6 - idea being to answer on any move Qb3 with Ra7 defending the b-pawn and allowing the black queen to still protect the d-pawn.

Gata Kamsky liked for many years, to solve the b-pawn problem another way. His method was 4...Qb6 which is a pretty funny joke if you think about it.

You have hit on the reason why the mainline Slav goes 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 allowing Bf5 next ( its a little more complicated then that but I hope you get the idea ). In your game we had 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 when dxc4 is still possible, but not as good due to specific theory.

GM Eric Prie solved ( ?! ) the white problem with his invention 1.d4 d5 2.a3!? I hope you agree with me when I say this is a little out into the twilight zone.

There is also the gambit method. As far as I know, this only works for white when the c-pawn has moved up one square, and not for black.
GM Mark Hebden has for many years caught players out with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 c5 4.Bg5 Qb6 Getting sick of this idea yet? 5.Nbd2! Qxb2 6.Nc4 Qxc3+ 7.Bd2 Qxc4 8.e4 Sneaky or what!

Oh, I almost forgot the Baltic. !.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5 an idea of the great Paul Keres. Black can gambit stuff in this line ( note where the c-pawn is ), but white has some solid lines to an endgame advantage. Ok at blitz but not for real games.

I hope things are more clear for you.

Pobble: Thanks for sharing, Now things are clear.

Also there is a Rating Tournament Which is being conducted in my place.

What do you say! Shall I go an nominate myself and participate in the tournament.

If YES, I would like you to give me some suggestions as I have 3 days left for that.
If NO, then also fine. I need your opinion As you have gone through couple of my games.